What one thing about Gettysburg...

[lelliott19]

That McLaws had four brigades in his division on the march and the retreat --- two others besides Barksdale and Kershaw.

That only one of the brigades of Hood's division was from TX. There were three others.

I say these kind of as a joke - but what I do think is important is the organization of the armies. Who was who? which route did they follow? And things that might have played into morale on the march to and from - like which division was in their front or rear? How confident were they in the neighboring brigade or division?

Best of luck on the course. I know it will be excellent! Wish I could be there!

EDIT TO ADD: Just read your last and see that you have already included morale and organization in your outline. so I'm late to the party --

 

[pmuskett]

Yeah, some of the unknown heroes of the campaign.

Maybe I can present it over the winter of 2024 and 2025 on a Wednesday night. Just a thought.

 

[121st PA Vols]

That McLaws had four brigades in his division on the march and the retreat --- two others besides Barksdale and Kershaw.

That only one of the brigades of Hood's division was from TX. There were three others.

I say these kind of as a joke - but what I do think is important is the organization of the armies. Who was who? which route did they follow? And things that might have played into morale on the march to and from - like which division was in their front or rear? How confident were they in the neighboring brigade or division?

Best of luck on the course. I know it will be excellent! Wish I could be there!

EDIT TO ADD: Just read your last and see that you have already included morale and organization in your outline. so I'm late to the party --

Agreed lelliott19. That was my view p.1 (brig, div, corps location) and it is a heck of a tough challenge from pmuskett coming up with an answer to 'What's the one thing'. Wow! And I thought 2-hour car tours were challenging!
But if you know who's where on a map, eg, Heth's Division, you know the road they're on, the terrain; rivers, mountains nearby, etc. Having said that, there are a lot of very solid response on here. And it's a pleasure reading them and giving them some thought. Thanks for the challenge pmuskett. Yikes!

 

[121st PA Vols]

Working my outline on this, I am covering all of what was mentioned here. Lee/Davis meetings, morale of the armies, Hooker's changes he did before Chancellorsville. Soldiers diet, arms, organizations, reorganizations. I just don't think 4 hours is long enough. This could be a 12 hour college course.

I haven't started looking at the aftermath yet, the retreat all the way back to Culpepper.

Can you stretch it out some, 6 hours, 2-days? It's such a monster topic just managing the battle, let alone the campaign minus Jul 1, 2, 3.

 

[mwalker6043]

Before July 1
Both armies had significant changes in their command structures before Gettysburg.
After Chancellorsville and the loss of (we all know who) Lee reorganized his army. Two of his now three Corps Commanders were new to their positions. Several divisions and brigades were moved, reorganized or newly created. Three of Lee's Nine Division commanders were newly promoted.
Meade was new to command of the army due to some strife in the army leadership. Two of Meade's seven corps commanders were new. He had seven of nineteen new division commanders.
After July 4
Both Lee & Meade had to a lot of officers to replace after the Gettysburg Campaign.
Lee's losses in casualties, resignations and questions of abilities touched all three corps. Replacing these men was a real challenge for in some cases. He lost Heth (for a few days), Archer, Pender, Hood, Trimble, Garnett, Armistead, Kemper, Scales, G.T. Anderson, Semmes, Avery, J.M. Jones, Latimer, Barksdale, Pettigrew, Hampton, Jenkins, W. Smith, Brockenbrough, O'Neal and Iverson. Pickett's division lost all of its brigade commanders and most of their regimental field staffs. Garnett's Brigade was led from the battle by a major. In some cases, there were regiments led by a LT. Lee had a much smaller and rapidly shrinking pool of trained, competent officers to pull from.
Meade had his own challenges due to losses and resignations. Meade's losses included Reynolds, Hancock, Sickles (you make the call!), Webb, Gibbon, Stannard, Barlow, Vincent, Graham, Zook, Cross, Weed, Paul, Meredith, Willard, Farnsworth, Biddle, Stone, Doubleday and Butterfield. But Meade had a much larger pool of talent to pull replacements from.

 

[pamc153PA]

Since it's that broad a period I'd suggest the command structure of the armies, Order of Battle down to brigade level.
That's a lot to know. But if you do, you can at a glance have insight or hints at the overall simply by brigade, division and corps location. One follows the other.

Absolutely. It's a lot to learn, but once you do, you know so much more than just names and regiments.

 

[pamc153PA]

...would you ensure that everyone knew?

I am currently working on a course for the upcoming Guide Academy this summer. The Guide Academy is provided by the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides here at Gettysburg. It is designed to help those preparing for the guide exam. The course is not a guarantee that you will pass the exam. Details are on the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides webpage. (NPS announcement on the exam coming soon)

My topic/class covers from mid-April 1863 to June 30th, and from July 4 until mid-August 1863. So many things to talk about and cover.

My curiosity has led me too this question.

If you were teaching my topic, which is scheduled for only 4 hours. What is the one thing you would ensure that everyone, knew in the parameters of the topic?  (If I use your idea, you will get the credit.)

I'll be in your class—I've signed up for several Guide Academy classes in preparation to take the exam (again).

 

[rpkennedy]

I'll be in your class—I've signed up for several Guide Academy classes in preparation to take the exam (again).

I do believe that I'll take it again as well.

Ryan

 

[pmuskett]

Looking forward to seeing ya'll in the class.

Phil

 

[Georgia Sixth]

...would you ensure that everyone knew?

I am currently working on a course for the upcoming Guide Academy this summer. The Guide Academy is provided by the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides here at Gettysburg. It is designed to help those preparing for the guide exam. The course is not a guarantee that you will pass the exam. Details are on the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides webpage. (NPS announcement on the exam coming soon)

My topic/class covers from mid-April 1863 to June 30th, and from July 4 until mid-August 1863. So many things to talk about and cover.

My curiosity has led me too this question.

If you were teaching my topic, which is scheduled for only 4 hours. What is the one thing you would ensure that everyone, knew in the parameters of the topic?  (If I use your idea, you will get the credit.)

For me, it would be that anyone learning about the battle for the first time has to understand that Lee was literally "blind" while his cavalry was away and out of communication with him. It explains a lot as to: (1) how Lee was surprised by the break out of fighting and (2) why he was unsure of whether it was a serious opponent in front of him. Accordingly, one can view Lee as gutsy or as reckless. It also makes it astonishing that he succeeded in making such a close, hard fought battle in that circumstance.