war. and it s also thought to be the peak of the confederacy as a concept. many argue that once the rebels are driven back down cemetary ridge, the hopes of a confederate victory and confederate nation are dashed for good. but many more opportunities will be gained and lost before this war is over. for james longstreet, who has foreseen the disaster, the unsuccessful charge is a bitter pill to swallow. can you see how our boys are doing? lee has authored an epic disaster, and he alone must live with the consequences. [ horse neighs ]
eye on the unwelcome strangers. [ horse neighs ] eyes front, soldier. word is there s a stockpile of shoes and whiskey in town. save your thoughts for those. james johnston pettigrew he s in command of a division in the corps of ambrose powell hill. just west of gettysburg, he finds that there is federal cavalry there. it could mean that the army of the potomac has moved much faster than lee anticipated and is right behind that cavalry. pettigrew rides to headquarters to report the enemy s position to one of lee s most trusted generals, a.p. hill. we spotted federal cavalry in gettysburg, sir. general pettigrew, these men must have been local militia, nothing more. sir that will be all, general pettigrew. sir, the men say there s a
[ horse neighs ] eyes front, soldier. word is there s a stockpile of shoes and whiskey in town. save your thoughts for those. james johnston pettigrew he s in command of a division in the corps of ambrose powell hill. just west of gettysburg, he finds that there is federal cavalry there. it could mean that the army of the potomac has moved much faster than lee anticipated and is right behind that cavalry. pettigrew rides to headquarters to report the enemy s position to one of lee s most trusted generals, a.p. hill. we spotted federal cavalry in gettysburg, sir. general pettigrew, these men must have been local militia, nothing more. sir that will be all, general pettigrew. sir, the men say there s a
son home for burial. oh, you dead, who, at gettysburg, had baptized, with your blood, the second birth of freedom in america, how you are envied. i rise from a grave whose wet clay i have kissed and i look up see christ. his right hand opens the gates of paradise. [ groans ] .and with his left, he beckons these mutilated, bloody, swollen corpses to ascend. [ horse neighs ] without stonewall jackson by jackson by his side robert e lee is a lessor leader andman. general longstreet takes the blame but wed know where the fl
i should know as well as anyone what soldiers can do. and it is my opinion that no 15,000 men ever arrayed for battle can take that position. [ horse neighs ] bring up general pickett s division. [ sighs ] have him await the signal to attack. fire! spearheading lee s assault is a young, charismatic general by the name of george pickett. have you ever seen such a fine artillery battle? there must be 100 tons of iron in the sky. with pickett s charge, 12,000 confederate soldiers lined up to carry out this assault. and there are those that recognized that this attack was