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 Decision #1 Date: June 30 th, 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. 1.Take Seminary RidgeTake Seminary Ridge 2.Hold your current positionHold your current position What position should John Buford take?

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 30 th, 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 30 th, Confederate troops are located to the West of Gettysburg. (Please record 0 points on your score card.) Decision #2

Decision #2 Decision #2 Date: July 1 st, 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.Attack immediately without hesitation. 2.Wait and regroup for your attack.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

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. Washington, D.C. Longstreet’s requested move.

What should the Confederate army do in this situation? 1.Listen to Gen. Lee and attack now.Listen to Gen. Lee and attack now. 2.Listen to Longstreet and move to the defensive position.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 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… 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.” What should Sickles do? 1.Move his men to take the Peach Orchard.Move his men to take the Peach Orchard. 2.Maintain his position on the Big Round Top and Little Round Top.Maintain his position on the Big Round Top and Little Round Top. Gen. Sickles

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 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.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.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 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 20 th Maine regiment under the leadership of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. They were the extreme left of the Union army.

Decision #6 Continued… Decision #6 Continued… Oates Regiment attacked Chamberlain’s 20 th Maine regiment. Oates regiment makes a hard attack against the 20 th 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.Retreat from their current position. 2.Fix bayonets and charge down the hill to confront Oates.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 2 nd day of fighting. The 2 nd 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 2 nd day of fighting. The 2 nd day was the bloodiest of the three days of fighting. Decision #7

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. Gen. Longstreet What does the Confederate army do? 1.Make the attack.Make the attack. 2.Retreat and find another location to fight.Retreat and find another location to fight.

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.” French artist picture of fighting in the “Angle.” Gen. Pickett

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 = Lt. General= Brigade General=80-40 Colonel=40-20 Infantry Soldier=10-0

Resources: “Military History Online.” Copyright Mar Gettysburg National Military Park. National Park Service. 15 Mar. 2003