The History And Legacy Of The Civil War Most Famous Assault

The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, was one of the most significant and deadliest conflicts in the country's history. Throughout the four years of intense battle, several monumental assaults took place, forever etching their mark in the annals of warfare. However, one assault stands out among the others in terms of its historical significance and lasting legacy.

The Assault on Gettysburg

Gettysburg, a small town in Pennsylvania, became the stage for a pivotal event during the Civil War. On July 1, 1863, the Confederate forces, led by General Robert E. Lee, launched a daring attack against the Union Army commanded by General George G. Meade. This assault, known as the Battle of Gettysburg, has since become the most famous and studied engagement of the Civil War.

Lee's aim was to infiltrate northern territory and potentially convince the Union to seek a negotiated peace. Despite initial success, the Confederate forces faced fierce resistance from the Union Army at Gettysburg. The battle raged on for three days, resulting in approximately 51,000 casualties and Confederate defeat.

Pickett’s Charge: The History and Legacy of the Civil War’s Most Famous Assault

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

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Impact and Legacy

The Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point in the Civil War and had a profound impact on the future course of the conflict. The Union victory at Gettysburg boosted morale among the northern states and demonstrated that the Confederacy was not invincible. It also dashed any hopes the Confederates had of achieving a quick and decisive victory.

Gettysburg is often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy" as it marked the furthest advance of Confederate troops into Union territory. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg shattered the invincibility myth surrounding his army and hindered their progress. This defeat significantly crippled the Confederacy's chances of foreign recognition and support.

The Address and Monument

One of the most iconic legacies of the Battle of Gettysburg is President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Given four and a half months after the battle, Lincoln emphasized the need for a united and indivisible nation, paying tribute to the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives on the battlefield.

Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the battlefield as a historic site. Monuments, statues, and markers dot the landscape, commemorating the soldiers who fought in the battle. The most famous of these is the Gettysburg National Cemetery, which contains the final resting place of thousands of soldiers.

Gettysburg's Enduring Significance

The Battle of Gettysburg remains a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom. It continues to capture the imagination of historians, military strategists, and visitors alike. The site attracts millions of tourists each year, all seeking to understand the events that unfolded during those three days in July 1863.

Beyond its historical significance, Gettysburg serves as a reminder of the hardships endured by both the Union and Confederate soldiers. It allows us to reflect on the toll of war and the lasting impact it has on society.

The assault on Gettysburg holds a special place in American history and remains one of the most famous engagements of the Civil War. Its impact on the outcome of the war and its enduring legacy make it an essential event to study and remember.

As we commemorate the sacrifices made by those who fought and lost their lives at Gettysburg, we honor the struggles of a nation divided and reflect on the importance of unity in the face of adversity.

Pickett’s Charge: The History and Legacy of the Civil War’s Most Famous Assault

by Charles River Editors(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2466 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	104 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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*Includes maps of the battle, pictures of the battlefield, and pictures of the important generals.
*Includes descriptions of Pickett's Charge written by George Pickett, James Longstreet, Porter Alexander, and some soldiers who made the charge.
*Explains Lee's strategy, Longstreet's argument, and an analysis of what went right and wrong.
*Explains the legacy of Pickett's Charge and how it got its famous name.
*Includes a Bibliography for further reading.
*Includes a Table of Contents.

Despite the fact that the Civil War began over 150 years ago, it remains one of the most widely discussed topics in America today, with Americans arguing over its causes, reenacting its famous battles, and debating which general was better than others. Americans continue to be fascinated by the Civil War icons who made the difference between victory and defeat in the war's great battles.

The most famous attack of the Civil War was also one of its most fateful and fatal. Pickett’s Charge, the climactic assault on the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, has become the American version of the Charge of the Light Brigade, and it is one of the most famous events of the entire Civil War.
Having been unable to break the Army of the Potomac’s lines on the left and right flank during Day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate Army of Northern Virginia commander Robert E. Lee decided to make a thrust at the center of the Union’s line with about 15,000 men spread out over three divisions. The charge required marching across an open field for about a mile, with the Union artillery holding high ground on all sides of the incoming Confederates.

Though it is now known as Pickett’s Charge, named after division commander George Pickett, the assignment for the charge was given to General James Longstreet, whose 1st Corps included Pickett’s division. Longstreet had serious misgivings about Lee’s plan and tried futilely to talk him out of it. Longstreet later wrote that he said to his commander, “General Lee, I have been a soldier all my life. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arrayed for battle can take that position.”

Aware of the insanity of sending 15,000 men hurtling into all the Union artillery, Lee planned to use the Confederate artillery to try to knock out the Union artillery ahead of time. Although old friend William Pendleton was the artillery chief, the artillery cannonade would be supervised by Edward Porter Alexander, Longstreet’s chief artillerist, who would have to give the go-ahead to the charging infantry because they were falling under Longstreet’s command. Alexander later noted that Longstreet was so disturbed and dejected about ordering the attack that at one point he tried to make Alexander order the infantry forward, essentially doing Longstreet’s dirty work for him.

Unfortunately for Porter Alexander and the Confederates, the sheer number of cannons belched so much smoke that they had trouble gauging how effective the shells were. As it turned out, most of the artillery was overshooting the target, landing in the rear of the Union line. Reluctant to order the charge, Longstreet commanded Porter Alexander to order the timing for the charge. As Longstreet and Alexander anticipated, the charge was an utter disaster, incurring a nearly 50% casualty rate and failing to break the Union line.

Pickett’s Charge: The History and Legacy of the Civil War’s Most Famous Assault profiles the history, context, and command decisions that all culminated in the most famous charge in American history. It also includes analysis of what went right and wrong, as well as what the major participants wrote about the charge. Along with maps and pictures of important people and places, you will learn about Pickett’s Charge like you never have before, in no time at all.