Transcript Gettysburg Challenge Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers

Gettysburg Challenge
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent
a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that
all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing
whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long
endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to
dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here
gave their lives that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper
that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate--we can
not consecrate--we can not hallow--this ground. The brave men, living and
dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to
add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say
here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living,
rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought
here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored
dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last
full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth
of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth.-Abraham Lincoln
Instructions:
Goal: You are an advisor to the
generals commanding the forces
outside and in Gettysburg, PA.
Your task is to advise them in their
decisions concerning troop
movements and other important
battle concerns. Please remember
to follow along with your
instructional packet and record
your scores.
Decision #1
Date: June 30th, 1863
Union cavalry has just arrived outside the city of Gettysburg, Pa.
J.J. Pettigrew’s confederate troops were in the city looking for
shoes. Upon seeing the Confederate troops withdraw from the
city, John Buford the leader of the Union cavalry has an
important decision facing him. He needs to decide if he will take
a position in the town on seminary ridge or if he will maintain his
current location.
Advise:
Lt.:- “I believe we should take the city and gain that high ground
until the arrival of our infantry. The citizens of Gettysburg will
appreciate our presence.”
Lt.:- “I believe it would be a mistake to attempt to take that
position on seminary ridge and defend it with only a dismounted
cavalry.
What position should John Buford take?
1. Take Seminary Ridge
2. Hold your current position
You have just made the same decision as John
Buford. He takes his cavalry into Gettysburg and
places them along seminary ridge and sets up a
defensive position to hold the high ground. He
waits for the arrival of the Union infantry under the
leadership of Gen. Reynolds. This provides us with
the current situation on the evening of June 30th,
1863. Confederate troops are located to the West of
Gettysburg.
(Please record 20 points on your score card.)
Decision #2
Unfortunately, John Buford did not follow your
advise. He takes his cavalry into Gettysburg and
places them along seminary ridge and sets up a
defensive position to hold the high ground. He
waits for the arrival of the Union infantry under the
leadership of Gen. Reynolds. This provides us with
the current situation on the evening of June 30th,
1863. Confederate troops are located to the West of
Gettysburg. (Please record 0 points on your score
card.)
Decision #2
Decision #2
Date: July 1st, 1863: Day One
Confederate troops under Heth move towards
the city of Gettysburg and engage Buford’s
cavalry. Buford is forced to retreat, but
Reynolds infantry is moving his way to
support his position. Reynolds is killed
shortly after arriving on the battlefield.
Doubleday takes over the command for the
Union. Through a day of intense fighting the
Union army is driven to retreat through the
city of Gettysburg and takes a position on the
Cemetery Hill.
Decision #2: Continued
Robert E. Lee, the leader of the Confederate army, arrives on the
scene. He observes the Union army attempting secure the high
ground on Cemetery Hill. He wants his army to continue the attack
on the heights and take the high ground in the battle. First, Lee
asks A.P Hill to make the attack, but he has suffered heavy loses and
is low on ammunition. He sends word to his commander Ewell, who
has just taken over for the famous “Stonewall Jackson.” Lee orders
Ewell to “secure possession of the heights, if practicable.”
Ewell is concerned about his heavy loses and is not sure he will have
the support of A. P Hill. He is also confused by the order “if
practicable.”
What should Ewell do?
1. Attack immediately without hesitation.
2. Wait and regroup for your attack.
Robert E.
Lee
You have made the same decision as Ewell in the
battle of Gettysburg. Ewell delays for about an hour
before attacking the position. Lee even rides over to
see what the delay is in the attack. This delay costs
the Confederate army the opportunity to take the
high ground on the first day of the battle. By the
time Lee arrives to push forward the attack, the
Union army has had time to reinforce their position
on the ridge. (Please score 0 points on your
scorecard for the delay in action.)
Decision #3
Ewell does not follow your advise and delays his
attack on the hill. General Lee even rides over to
see what the delay is in the attack. This delay in
action costs the Confederate army the opportunity
to gain the high ground on the first day of the
battle. By the time Lee arrives to push forward the
attack, the Union army has had time to reinforce
their position on the hill. (Score 20 points for a
brave decision and the possibility of taking the
high ground.)
Decision #3
Decision #3
Shortly after giving the order to attack the hill to Ewell. Lt. Gen.
James Longstreet arrives to have a discussion with Lee about the
approach in this battle.
General Lee’s position: He believes that the Confederate army needs
to attack the enemy here and now. The Union army is in front of
him and he must attack now and defeat them.
Lt. Gen. Longstreet: He believes that the Confederate army should
move to a position between the Union army and Washington, D.C. He
thought that they would be able to set up a defensive position and
have a better chance of defeating the Confederate army.
Longstreet’s requested move.
Washington, D.C.
What should the Confederate army do in this situation?
1. Listen to Gen. Lee and attack now.
2. Listen to Longstreet and move to the defensive
position.
You have agreed with Gen. Lee. There is no right or
wrong answer to this question. You have chosen the
path of history and not attempted to change it. You
will see how this decision will play out in the
remainder of the battle. (Score 20 points for
listening to the Gen. Lee)
Decision #4
You have disagreed with Gen. Lee. There is no right
or wrong answer to this question. You have selected
to attempt to change history. We will not get to see
how your decision might have worked out in history.
(Score 10 points disobeying the leading Gen. of the
Confederate army.)
Decision #4
Decision #4
Day Two: July 2 of 1863:
The Union army has positioned itself along the Cemetery Ridge and
extended to the South to cover Little Round Top and Big Round Top.
This position created what looked like a fish hook on the battlefield.
Lee seeing that the Union lines were weak on the south end of the fish
hook ordered Longstreet to attack the Union army at that point.
The Union army was trying to
fortify its position along the high
ground just outside the city of
Gettysburg. The leader given the
responsibility of defending the
southern end of the Union line was
Sickles.
Fish Hook formation
Decision #4 Continued…
Sickles when looking at his position notices that there is some
slightly higher ground a little in front of his position on the line.
Sickles is confused on what to do with his men. He sends a
messenger to Gen. Meade for advice. Gen. Meade sends one of his
artillery advisors to assist Sickles with his decision.
BG. Hunt, Meade’s advisor,: “We should take the position in the
Peach Orchard because it give the enemy an advantage on the
battlefield.”
Lt. “Sir, I believe it would be a horrible idea to extend our troops
that far in front of the Union line and expose ourselves.”
Gen.
Sickles
What should Sickles do?
1. Move his men to take the Peach Orchard.
2. Maintain his position on the Big Round Top and Little Round Top.
You have made the same decision as Gen. Sickles and moved your troops
to the Peach Orchard to take the high ground on this position. This
decision was almost a costly mistake by Gen. Sickles. He had exposed
himself a ½ mile in front of the Union army and left the high ground of
Little Round Top and Big Round Top with little protection. Gen. Meade
rode over to assess the situation and question Sickles why he had put
himself in an awkward position. Sickles told him that it was to get the
high ground. Meade countered, “General Sickles, this is in some respects
higher ground than that of the rear, but there is still higher in front of
you, and if you keep on advancing you will find constantly higher ground
all the way to the mountains!" (Score 0 points on your scorecard)
Exposed by Sickles move
Decision #5
You have made a bold decision that might have changed history and made
the battle at Gettysburg shorter. However, Sickles does not follow your
advice and moves his troops into the Peach Orchard. This decision was
almost a costly mistake by Gen. Sickles. He had exposed himself a ½ mile
in front of the Union army and left the high ground of Little Round Top
and Big Round Top with little protection. Gen. Meade rode over to assess
the situation and question Sickles why he had put himself in an awkward
position. Sickles told him that it was to get the high ground. Meade
countered, “General Sickles, this is in some respects higher ground than
that of the rear, but there is still higher in front of you, and if you keep on
advancing you will find constantly higher ground all the way to the
mountains!" (Score 20 points on your scorecard)
Exposed by Sickles move
Decision #5
Decision #5
Longstreet’s troops arrive at Emmitsburg Rd. in the afternoon and see
Sickles troops in the Peach Orchard. Gen. Hood, who was one of
Longstreet’s division leaders, asked Longstreet to move his men to
the South further and attack through Devils’ Den, Big Round Top and
move to take Little Round Top. Longstreet refused this request and
instructed Hood that his orders were to attack up Emmitsburg Rd.
Hood sent a second request to Longstreet attack the southern
position of the Union army. Longstreet refused again and told Hood
that his orders were clear. Finally, Hood officially protested his
orders to Longstreet.
What does Hood do?
1. Follow his orders and attack up Emmitsburg Rd.
2. Ignore his order and follow his common sense to attack the
Southern end of the Union line.
You have followed your orders and might have changed the outcome
of the battle. However, we will never know because Hood ignores his
orders and proceeds to send his men towards the Southern end of the
Union line. His troops are able to take the Devils Den after tough
fighting and climb up Big Round Top to take this position as well.
This was done under the leadership of BG. Laws and Lt. Col. Oates.
Hood’s decision places the Union army in a very difficult spot and in
risk of losing the their left flank of the army and the high ground.
(Score 0 points on scorecard.)
Due to Sickles move into the
Peach Orchard, the Little Round
Top is left with little protection.
Decision #6
You have done exactly what Hood did at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Hood ignores his orders and proceeds to send his men towards the
Southern end of the Union line. His troops are able to take the Devils
Den after tough fighting and climb up Big Round Top to take this
position as well. This was done under the leadership of BG. Laws and
Lt. Col. Oates. Hood’s decision places the Union army in a very
difficult spot and in risk of losing the their left flank of the army and
the high ground.
(Score 20 points on your scorecard.)
Due to Sickles move into the
Peach Orchard, the Little Round
Top is left with little protection.
Decision #6
Decision #6
Even though Hood has disobeyed direct orders from Longstreet, he has
put the Union army in a very difficult position. Chief Eng. Warren sent
word to Gen. Meade that the Confederates were in position to out
flank the Union army and that Little Round Top was key. Meade
immediately sent Sykes Corp with Barnes Division taking position on
Little Round Top. Col. Strong Vincent was at the front of Barnes’s
division. On the extreme left of the Union army was the 20th Maine
regiment under the leadership of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. They
were the extreme left of the Union army.
Decision #6 Continued…
Oates Regiment attacked Chamberlain’s 20th Maine regiment. Oates
regiment makes a hard attack against the 20th Maine. They are
forced to form a “V” shaped defense to protect the left flank of the
Union army. Col. Chamberlain is given strict orders that he cannot
surrender this position or it will cost the Union army their left flank.
Chamberlain turns back another attack by Oates, but he is running
out of ammunition.
What will Chamberlain do?
1. Retreat from their current position.
2. Fix bayonets and charge down the hill to confront Oates.
These were attached to the end of the rifle to use in
hand to hand combat.
Bayonet
You have just cost the Union army their left flank. You were the last
defense for the left flank of the Union army. This move might have cost
the whole battle for the Union army. However, Chamberlain did not
follow your advise and fixed bayonets. They charged down the hill and
defeated Oates regiment which provided time for Weed’s Division to
support Union troops on Little Round Top and maintain control of the
left flank of the Union army. (Score 0 points on your scorecard.)
The fighting would continue on the
northern end of the fish hook, but the
Union army is able to hold their lines.
Chamberlain’s men will receive the
Medal of Honor for their efforts. The
graphic will depict the movements of
troops on the 2nd day of fighting. The
2nd day was the bloodiest of the three
days of fighting.
Decision #7
You are a brave and courageous leader. Chamberlain was of the same
type of leader because he follows your advise and fixes bayonets. They
charged down the hill and defeated Oates regiment which provided time
for Weed’s Division to support Union troops on Little Round Top and
maintain control of the left flank of the Union army. (Score 20 points on
your scorecard.)
The fighting would continue on the
northern end of the fish hook, but the
Union army is able to hold their lines.
Chamberlain’s men will receive the
Medal of Honor for their efforts. The
graphic will depict the movements of
troops on the 2nd day of fighting. The
2nd day was the bloodiest of the three
days of fighting.
Decision #7
Decision #7
Day Three: July 3, 1863
Robert E. Lee was not able to drive the Union army from the their
position along Cemetery Ridge and the fish hook position. He was
excited about an almost break through at the center of the Union
lines by commander Anderson. Robert E. Lee felt that the center of
the Union line was the weakest. He planned to attack the center of
that line to defeat the Union army by splitting in half. Gen.
Longstreet did not agree with Gen. Lee’s approach. Longstreet felt
that the charge to the center of the was too far and too open. The
troops would have to travel over 1,000 yards on open ground to
reach the center. Gen. Lee countered that the Confederate artillery
would force the Union artillery and men from their current location
to give time for the troops to make the attack.
What does the Confederate army do?
1. Make the attack.
2. Retreat and find another location to fight.
Gen. Longstreet
You have agreed with Gen. Lee. He sends approx. 12, 000
infantry men charging over open ground towards the center of
the Union line. The Confederate artillery bombs the Union line
for two hours with almost everything they have. The bombing
is so intense that is heard from Harrisburg, PA 40 miles away.
However, a majority of the bombs over shoot their target and
leave the Union army in place.
The Confederate’s see the
Union artillery begin to move
from their location on the
ridge and this movement is
assumed to be a retreat. Gen.
Longstreet with much regret
sends his troops into the
charge. This was referred to
as “Pickett’s Charge,” but in
reality there were four
brigades involved in the
charge. (Score 0 points on the
score card)
Next Slide
You have disagreed with Gen. Lee. He sends approx. 12, 000
infantry men charging over open ground towards the center of
the Union line. The Confederate artillery bombs the Union line
for two hours with almost everything they have. The bombing
is so intense that is heard from Harrisburg, PA 40 miles away.
However, a majority of the bombs over shoot their target and
leave the Union army in place.
The Confederate’s see the
Union artillery begin to move
from their location on the
ridge and this movement is
assumed to be a retreat. Gen.
Longstreet with much regret
sends his troops into the
charge. This was referred to
as “Pickett’s Charge,” but in
reality there were four
brigades involved in the
charge. (Score 20 points on
the score card)
Next Slide
The charge was hit with a barge of rifle, canister, and artillery fire from
Union. The Confederates were able to reach “The Angle” in which
there was a concentration of 7,000 Union troops. Under the brave
leadership of BG Lewis Armistead the Rebels reached the angle, and
became involved in hand to hand combat with Union army. The
Confederates were unable to hold their position in “The Angle” and had
to retreat.
This charge will defeat for the Confederate army at Gettysburg. Lee
approached Gen. Pickett about preparing his men for a counter attack.
Pickett responded by stating, “General Lee, I have no division now.”
Lee will take full responsibility for the failure at Gettysburg and
“Pickett’s Charge.”
Gen. Pickett
French artist picture of fighting
in the “Angle.”
The Aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg:
Confederates were forced to retreat to Virginia. Gen. Meade did not
pursue a full forced attack on the retreating Lee. This decision later
angered President Lincoln and he would yet again look for another
commander for his army.
Casualties:
Confederate Killed: 2,600-4,500
Confederate Missing: 5,250
Confederate Wounded: 20,000-25,000
Total: 1/3 of Lee’s army
Union killed:3,155
Union Missing: 14,350
Union Wounded: 23, 040
Total: 27% of army.
Gettysburg the town and
community would have to
deal with wounded and dead
for months. Many of the
wounded were treated
everywhere possible.
Your Score!!
General =140-120
Lt. General=120-80
Brigade General=80-40
Colonel=40-20
Infantry Soldier=10-0
Resources:
• “Military History Online.” Copyright 2000.
• 15 Mar. 2003
www.militaryhistoryonline.com/gettysburg
Gettysburg National Military Park.
National Park Service . 15 Mar. 2003
<www.nps.gov/gett/home.htm>