What one thing about Gettysburg...

[rpkennedy]

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.

That's another good one. Discuss how the two armies reorganized and how that may have affected the campaign.

Ryan

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

That anyone interested in the events before July 1 and after July 3 should read Eric Wittenberg's books.

More seriously, I think what everyone should know is not a fact, but a mindset/approach/focus. When discussing the Gettysburg campaign (or any campaign), focus on topography and logistics and the questions they entail. In regards to the former, that's a big part of why one should visit a battlefield: to put into three dimensions what you've only seen in two (i.e. on a map). The latter is often the deciding factor in campaigns, more than leadership or causalities.

Just some examples...

Topography

• Lee's movements were dictated by screening his army with the mountains.
• Lee is seeking favorable terrain for a major victory where the AotP can't retreat safely across a river as they did at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville
• Meade's engineer's eye for terrain resulting in the Pipe Creek plan
• Both armies moving on roads not intended for such large numbers of men.
• Ewell blocked from deeper penetration into Pennsylvania by a river.
• Lee's return to Virginia being blocked by the flooded Potomac but his defenses made strong by a natural ridge
• Meade's pursuit being affected by a parallel mountain range, as were his efforts to intercept Lee after July 15

Logistics

• Lee makes the invasion in a large part for logistical reasons: taking his hungry men away from Virginia's farmland and into Pennsylvania's
• Stuart's tardiness in part due to having captured a Union supply train which was too valuable to simply burn
• Lee cannot easily replenish his ammunition in Pennsylvania
• Lee's retreat must take into account the captured supplies he is trying to bring back to Virginia.
• Meade has to change railroad supply lines from VA to MD, then from MD to PA, then back again. Railroads whose common hub is Washington. Meanwhile, Lee is disconnected for railroads for his logistics and must rely even more on wagons.

It's not that the guides or the visitors they speak to need to known any one specific fact listed above. Rather, in attempting to understand the campaign they should focus on these two aspects. Try to ask good questions about them and how they affected both armies. You could change the army strengths or swap generals around, but the two key issues remain.

 

[121st PA Vols]

That's another good one. Discuss how the two armies reorganized and how that may have affected the campaign.

Ryan

Also and minimally Corps strength.

 

[DixieRifles]

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.

Many of us are not reading your post carefully enough.
That is why I like to use BOLD font.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

There's plenty in my work to give you stuff to share with them, Phil. Take advantage of it.

 

[bamaman]

Pickett's charge did not occur during the time periods that the course is covering. The course is about the time periods before and after the main battle.

Ok. Then a discussion about how both armies got to that unique place and time would help to explain à lot about the battle.

 

[pmuskett]

There's plenty in my work to give you stuff to share with them, Phil. Take advantage of

Thanks Eric. I have even told the Heritage Center to order this book. And One Continuous Fight for the second part.

 

[mwalker6043]

Stonewall Jackson really was dead. No What IFs, ands or buts. He would not be coming to Gettysburg.

 

[pmuskett]

Stonewall Jackson really was dead. No What IFs, ands or buts. He would not be coming to Gettysburg.

I hear that at least once a week.

 

[Scott1967]

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 would make sure the Myth that Gettysburg was the turning point of the war was put to rest.

And let them know Vicksburg was in fact the Turning point.

 

[MRB1863]

There was no clear absolute victor at Gettysburg. Most folks say "Oh, yeah, the Union soundly beat the Confederates at Gettysburg".

 

[connecticut yankee]

I'd make sure the students knew that the Confederate defeat and retreat at Gettysburg did not in any sense lead to the end of the war. The Army of Northern Virginia remained relatively strong after July 3rd. The retreat was well executed and Meade did an admirable job (even though Lincoln and others would disagree) of trying to interrupt the retreat in hopes for a complete war-ending northern victory.

 

[W117Monte]

One thing that covers both the front and end of the campaign is the road and railroad networks available to both armies, the major rivers and the Blue Ridge mountain range (South Mountain) in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the latter forming a barrier between the two armies and limiting east-west travel to a few important passes, all of which played a critical role in defining movements of the opposing forces and established their essential lines of communication and supply that would constrain the options available to the respective commanders.

This!! I am certainly no expert, and when I took a tour and the LBG pointed out the mountain passes that could be used a lot of stuff just "clicked" for me.

 

[Stryker65]

...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.)

Definitely emphasize some of the forgotten parts of the battlefield, such as Cemetery Hill and East and South Cavalry Fields.

 

[johncla]

...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.)

You've gotten some great replies from the stars of this forum!

I've scanned the thread and hope I'm not repeating something already said -- I love your topic, focusing on the time b4 and after the battle. Wonderful. If there's any materials you can share with us after the class...I don't know if the 'Guide Academy' is a private venture and will own your product, or if this is an NPS thing; but I'd love to see what you come up with.

 

[OpnCoronet]

...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.)

Locate Lee during al 3 days of the battle, or if too broad then where, exactly, Le was at the critical moments of the battles, especially Day 2

 

[JerryD]

...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.)

So everything except the battle itself is your topic? Given the dates, I'd think the most important thing to stress would be what exactly Stuart's orders were, and whether he is solely at fault for his being delayed. I would argue that Stuart was well within his orders, and his delay was due to acts that were beyond his control, which Lee should have considered when Lee authorized Stuart to take the longer route.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

@pmuskett

In regard to the lead-up to the battle I believe more people should be aware of the infamous "Pipe Creek Circular" issued by General Meade and its various implications.

The first implication is that we can say we were fairly close to not having a battle of Gettysburg at all; rather a battle of ...what, Pipes Creek, Md? Westminster, MD? That in itself is interesting. Another implication is that Meade was raw as commander of the entire army. Only what, 48 hours in command? He was certainly thinking defensively and wanting to protect Baltimore and Washington DC. However, it also indicates he was aware of the importance of terrain in battle. That leads to the implication that the Ground at Gettysburg was good ground, which Meade only decided to hold at his council of war during the early morning hours of July 2nd. That is important to understanding the entire battle in my mind. There is also the important implication that this document does reinforce the idea that the battle of Gettysburg happened by accident. Meade certainly wasn't planning on fighting at Gettysburg.

There are also a whole set of implications regarding our overall interpretation of the battle which resulted from the Congressional hearings held regarding the Pipes Creek Circular. That is a can of worms; but very important and interesting worms because you have General Sickles and The Radical Republicans trying to make Meade look bad, which flavors the interpretation of Meade's actions in general.

I don't know how you could use any of this in your class, but it is one of the most interesting little-known aspects of the events leading up to the battle of Gettysburg to me.

Lew

 

[Doc_Ralph]

IMHO General Buford said it all: "Lovely ground " and without Stuart Lee was somewhat blinded.

 

[pmuskett]

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.