@@toryquinton2677 The problem was that Lee was an excellent battlefield commander and tactician, but was a rather poor campaign strategist with little grasp on how to truly fight a war on the scale he was assigned.
@@dennisdouglass7688 I disagree, Lee absolutely knew what he was up against. He was adamant that the South could not outfight the North, that defeat was inevitable unless foreign intervention occurred or northern resolve wavered. Hence, why Lee favored an aggressive strategy in trying to control the pace of the war. He believed that if he could deliver a decisive enough victory that he could acquire those conditions: much like how Washington did at Saratoga in the Revolution. Lee knew over a long enough time the North would win. The Peninsula Campaign in 62' demonstrated how hopeless the South was if a large enough force came right at them. He only extricated the Confederacy out of that campaign by being boldly aggressive which intimidated the cautious McClelland. What Lee always was dreaded was that a general with more resolve would do what McClelland did not and refuse to retreat from Virginia: exactly what Grant would do in the Overland campaign. He needed to prevent such situations from occurring by blunting Northern incursions and keeping the initiative on his side. Thus, Lee favored bold, aggressive maneuvers because passivity in the face of a superior enemy was defeat by other means. Either take the fight to the North or accept a slow defeat. There is no scenario where the South wins by just being defensive. In the wake of Fredericksburg, the Mud March, and Chancellorsville, Lee knew that the conditions for a winning scenario were possibly up for grabs. But he also knew the Confederacy was on the backfoot in the West and was deteriorating daily, Vicksburg would fall soon, Joe Johnston was dallying in Jackson, and Bragg was being pushed out of Tennessee. Lee was the only one in a position of command to remotely have a chance. Thus, Gettysburg was the product of Lee's strategic analysis.
Lee's orders to Stuart were vague. Stuart was spending time taking Union wagons and supplies, while Lee actually need the intel much worse. But Stuart had always done that, in fact it was a necessity for a traveling army like that.
@@aidanjoyce3248 he wasn't yet but he knew with in an hour or so he would be as Rhodes was coming down Mummasburg road Buford was running out of ammo and man power and ground to give for a Calvary mans prospective you cant retreat through a town and have any chance to fight on the other side so it was hold as long as you can there and if you cant get support you have to retreat
Sam Elliot is the definitive John Buford. Buford's boys slowing the Rebs down and helping to deny them the high ground that day changed the course of the battle and therefore likely the course of the war, at least in the East. Any scenario that ended with Lee holding Cemetery Ridge on the evening of the 1st could have turned Gettysburg into another Fredericksburg, and left "Washington City" vulnerable. The stakes were immense.
Read a much fuller explanation of Bufords tactics several years ago. He’d thrown scouts out on every approach and had skirmishers positions behind a couple rises well before the Seminary. The delay of Heath started well before what is portrayed in the film (there’s a time limit in cinema) It was a brilliant deployment of dismounted cavalry to both delay and fool the enemy into believing they faced a much larger force.
The Iron Brigade also did much to stop the confederates here. The 24th Michigan, (one of my state's regiments) lost 80% of her unit here but captured several generals.
Unlikely. Meade was no Burnside and would never have made the same mistake as was made at Fredricksburg. He always had the option to retreat back along his own supply line to Pipe Creek and establish a defensive position on good ground there if holding a position at Gettysburg wasn't viable. Meade was the first Federal general in the East who would not let himself get sucked into playing Lee's game. But forcing the battle at Gettysburg, with the Union holding Cemetery Ridge, did indeed affect the outcome of the war, not only in the East but the West as well as Vicksburg was about to fall to Grant while this battle was raging, and there would be no Confederate reinforcements rushing to rescue Pemberton. The major effect of this battle was to break Lee's aura of invincibility, and the Army of Northern Virginia -- largely stalemated for the remainder of 1863 -- was never again able to attempt such an offensive. From July 3rd onward, the Confederacy was forced into a losing defensive struggle in which time was not on their side.
Well, the Confederates took Oak Ridge and Seminary Ridge on Day 1. They were the main “high ground” positions that Union forces were trying to hold. So no, Buford and Reynolds did not really do what the novel Killer Angels and the movie fictionally portrayed. No one knew about which hills would then eventually become key until like 9pm on Day 1.
Buford had fought in the plains Indian wars and knew how effective dismounted calvary could be when outnumbered. Plus his men had breech loaders, a 3x force multiplier. Right leader, right tactics, right weapon, at the exact right time. Coincidence?
General Reynolds and General Buford were very brave. Poor Reynolds would bravely die on the field July 1, 1863... So tragic. General Buford died too with typhoid fever. Both gave her lives for their nation. Please never forget them...
A bit ironic you are pleading for people not to forget yankee Generals when certain people are trying to erase our Generals from memory as quickly as possible.
@@randolphkersey5155The way things are going you'll only see Union reenactors at battle sights & you'll hear the announcer on the P.A. speaker say, "Now imagine if you will the Confederate line charged over here....."
The Iron Brigade was almost annihilated the first day at Gettysburg in McPherson Woods. But they fought for every inch of ground and did just as much damage to the rebels as they were taking being outnumbered 3 to 1.If it was any other unit in that position they might not have held on as long. Giving the rest of the Army time to come up and take defensive positions on cemetery hill. The Iron Brigade was never the same again after Gettysburg, but what they did on day 1 will never be forgotten.
General Reynold's death was a big loss at Gettysburg, but he did bring his 1st corps up to where they were needed. They suffered heavy losses on the first day: the Iron brigade- an crack elite unit, took a lot of punishment that day and was finished off as a unit, but their service and sacrifice was not in vain.
A close friend of mine's ancestor fought with the Iron Brigade. My friend had all the post-war unit reunion invitations, and so much of his great-great-however many "greats" uncle's papers. He was not much into history, the way that I am. My friend was proud, yes, and I filled him in on details. He was happy, I was thrilled to death. I had a relative on my maternal grandfather's side who was with the 1st PA Brigade, and managed to survive the Battle of Cold Harbor.
@briankorbelik2873 Awesome. I learned the Iron brigade got their famous nickname during the battle of South Mountain before Antietam. I belive General George McClellan described this brigade fighting with the tenacity of Iron. The nickname stuck. The Brigade had their many baptism of fire: Antietam: The Miller Cornfield. The iron brigade lost a lot of good soldiers. After other battles, the real baptism of fire was at Gettysburg, the first day. Heavy fighting at McPherson's woods just decimated the brigade. But their sacrifice was not in vain. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I like the scene where "Fife and Drum" is playing and the Iron Brigade is forming up in the field. That music with a mass of blue and the regimental colors flying across that field...*chills*
When the Iron Brigade was first arriving the name of the tune being played is called "Hell on the Wabash" which originated in the early 19th Century and most likely refers to St. Clair's defeat by the indians in the old northwest territory. The tune appears in published civil war songbooks.
@@josephwalukonis9934 While I think 'Hell on the Wabash' sounds better and more cinematic for this scene, the tune the Iron Brigade actually played when marching into Battle was 'The Campbells are Coming'. The tune doesn't sound nearly as urgent or really all that intimidating , so I think it was a good call to change it.
I live a stone's throw away from this battlefield and this movie is just scary. I have walked over all the places in it and that really brings this story home.
Interestingly enough, I live on the edge of a very ancient battlefield, the great battle of Brunanburh/Bromborough 937AD, where King Athelstan with Mercian Angles, and Saxons from Wessex, defeated the Scots and Norsemen, Wirral archeologists are still turning up weapons from the site...E..
When we visited Gburg, we took the bus tour. I had been to Vietnam, but I started crying when I realized the extent of this battle. So many good men lost on both sides. War is a punishment for sin.
As a kid I lived in a house that was standing during the battle of Gettysburg. I lived east of Gettysburg. I too have walked the battlefield. Lots of brave soldiers on both sides were there in July 1863.
@@drnick5439 Lee couldn’t. He knew that Vicksburg was on its last legs. The south’s only chance was victory on northern ground while they still had strategic initiative. The instant Vicksburg fell, cutting the south in half, there was no saving the cause, and Lee knew it. So did Meade. Lee also knew that falling back after day one would be called a victory by the north. The south had to have a uncontroversial win, and Lincoln knew that, which is why he appointed Meade, the cold poker player.
@@drnick5439, and go where? The entire problem was that Lee was blind without Stuart’s cavalry. He couldn’t leave without running the risk that the Federals would set up an ambush and destroy his army elsewhere. However, he knew where the federals were at that moment and sought to defeat them where he had them; at Gettysburg.
Yes...and if you listen closely, you can hear him offer two distinct words-"Thank God"-as a Prayer of thanks. Come to think of it, many Brave Men, both North and South, were staunchly devout Christians. Many loved the Lord, and were willing to fight for what they thought to be right.
Reynolds was offered overall command before Meade was. Reynolds demanded "zero political interference", which basically meant he wouldn't take orders from Lincoln. So he was passed over. If he had just taken command, he'd probably would have survived Gettysburg.
Its sad that reynolds did not live to see the end of this battle. Both buford and reynolds knew each other. Another example of friendship , strong friendship even during wartime.
There is a statue of Reynolds on horseback in front of the Philadelphia City Hall. Go see it. And go see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Washington Square. You'll understand why when you get there.
I believe it was Sam Elliot who gave a great deal of credit for the success of the movie to the hundreds of the enactors who came with their own uniforms , equipment and knowledge of the military sequences.
Nice to stop the rebs for a short time but little bearing on the battle. Reynolds wasted troops. Look at the map and you will see the land that was fought for was given to the rebs. Reynolds would have been better to just take up lines on cemetary ridge right away and defend Culps hill. Same thing that happened with less loss of life.
@@RobertLee-wi5kcTheir purpose was to oppose Lee's advance, entangle Lee in battle on ground of their choosing, and buy time to bring up the remaining Corps in the AotP. They succeeded, but at a high cost. Their actions allowed the victories on the 2nd day, and the full defeat of the rebels on the 3rd day.
Oh I understand the concept. But Buford could just as easily withdrawn an hour or 2 later and taken up defense on cemetary ridge. The land he held was given up anyway. When the infantry got there they could have just lengthened the line and played defense which is what happened on day 2 and 3. Better ground to defend and the losses of Iron brigade advancing through the woods would have been better spent defensively behind the little rocky fence. No big deal if they had not concentrated at Gettsyburg as Meade never intended for it in the first place. Not to mention if the confederates wanted the high ground they could have it as they were the outnumbered invaders and certainly Meade could just let Lee sit there and wither on the vine.
Hindsight is twenty twenty - believe me when troops are out of direct line of sight and all you have is hearing to determine how the fight is going it’s an entirely different command environment - been there done that - you react to what you can see and hear - not to what might be… and once battle is joined command becomes radically different from a battle plan. (No plan survives first contact) Reynolds’s not only denied the rebels the ground but also denied them the initiative. The value of that cannot be overstated. He basically forced them to put up or shut up … engaging a larger and better equipped army on an unequal footing. That and the terrain sealed the victory.
@@RobertLee-wi5kc Withdrawing while engaged in battle is hard. a withdraw can easily turn into a rote.His job was to stack up Lee's army on the road from Chambersburg long enough for the AotP to take the field.
The Black Hats, also called the Iron Brigade, were mostly made of Wisconsin regiments. This is why Reynolds kept shouting "Forward" during the fighting; Wisconsin's state motto. As a Wisconsin native, we're proud of our Iron Brigade, the unit that one officer claimed, "Could march a mule right off its feet."
I'm not american but Norwegian and ofcourse have read about the 15th Wisconsin Voluteer infantry regiment (The norwegian regiment or Scandinavian regiment lead by Col. Hansn Chr. Heg), I believe they where not in this fight or in the iron brigade, but from what I have read they did hold their ground as proud Wisconsin men.
Hard to imagine what General Buford must have thought when he saw Reynolds coming on with reinforcements. He had taken a fair chance trying to hold with his mounted infantry (even with their breech loaders) against some of the best infantry in history led by General Heth.Unsung hero and nobody could play him better than Sam Elliott,
And not to mention he had already had a similar situation in an earlier battle that turned south very badly...this time time it was completely different.
Buford had special tactics that slowed down Heth quite a lot, but not indefinitely. he dismounted 2/3rds of his men and built barricades across the roads, pushed horse artillery forward and combined his brigades. He knew he wouldn't hold on his own, but would drive Heth's men back and prevent them from charging in one movement. In real life the rebs charged thrice as each time Buford formed more defense lines. Not sure if this is the best infantry in history, they got pretty chewed up and General Archer was captured along with his brigade, annoyingly by West Point classmate Abner Doubleday. By the second day Heth was himself wounded in the head, surviving only due to the quality of his hat and extra padding placed there due to a poor fit.
Another unit from Wisconsin was the one that charged up the large hill overlooking Chattanoga. They were never ordered to. They just thought it up and did it! Several Flag carriers were killed on the way up, but the one that held the flag as the unit reached the top was given the Medal of Honor for his action. That 18 year old "kid" was Arthur McArthur...General Douglas McArthur's father. Arthur would eventually, also, reach the rank of General...like his kid!
Lee's admonishment of Harry Heth is extraordinary. Lee was renowned for being stoic and never showing anger. The fiercest admonishment that he could deliver in front of other high-ranking officers is "Mr. Heth, is there any way in which you could have misunderstood my orders? ......[Heth] "No, sir."....[Heth goes on to describe his predicament to Lee like a small child who has just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar].............[Lee's response]......"Mr. Heth, things WILL get confusing........that's why we have orders......]......... to the unacquainted this might look like a passing comment, but, THIS is a SCATHING admonishment from lee. Absolutely SCORCHING.
It's a Hollywood film. As it actually happened, it was Lee- and not Heth- who escalated the battle. Pettigrew's brigade of Heth's division moved on Gettysburg on 30 June but withdrew after observing enemy combatants there. On 1 July, Heth moved on Gettysburg with Hill's authorization. After Heth was engaged, Lee made the decision for additional Confederate forces to attack. Lee's lack of information from Stuart was Lee's fault entirely. Lee gave Stuart two objectives for one force which coincided in time. Stuart lacked the strength to accomplish both simultaneously- and he lacked the time to accomplish first one and then the other. Stuart attempted to accomplish both objectives as directed and predictably failed.
@@manilajohn0182 Stuart took the bulk of the cav with him, some 3 divisions. He failed to send back riders with updates , instead looting a baggage train and moving as a mobile force.
@@SantomPh Stuart's entire command consisted of only one division. He took three brigades of that division (approximately half of his force). He later dispatched two messengers to Lee to inform him that the AotP was moving northward, but neither of them got through to Lee. Lee twice sent Stuart orders specifically instructing him to both gather information and provisions for the army.
This is truly one of my all time favorite movies indeed Gettysburg I can never get enough of watching this film over and over again with it's very wonderfully spectacular all star cast and all of its glorious great battle scenes indeed!👍.
Such a terrible loss of life on both sides. I tear up whenever I watch this movie. So many of our own died fighting each other. A terrible moment in our country’s still brief existence. I still sometimes am not sure we won’t end up in this situation again. We have yet to truly learn from our mistakes and handle our differences constructively.
@TheJonathan320 "So many of our own died fighting each other", all war is sad, but death in a civil war seems more poignant; and this was the second one on American soil. The first of course was fought between 1776 and 1783.
This battle has so many great characters. Better than any fiction. Buford was one of them. He was probably the only man North or South who on the evening of June 30 knew without a doubt that July 1 would bring fighting down on Gettysburg. He was a hard soldier and a hard man and did his job first as scout and then as a stall to force Heth to deploy his men in line of battle waiting for the 1st and 11th Coprs to arrive...saving the town for most of the day and possibly the battle.
Three cheers for the 1st Corp, Generals Buford and Reynolds and the Iron Brigade! Saddened greatly by Reynolds death. Reynolds was my favorite general--from my home state of Pennsylvania.
Far anyone curious the red legged units are a Zouave regiment. They were distinctive in dress and formation. The units moved in a more open type of formation vs the standard line formation of the Napoleon era. The uniforms were different too to allow for faster movement they were looser and gave greater freedom of movement. Zouave units also engaged more often from prone or laying of the back. This minimized the chances of them being hit while improving their survival chances. I believe the 163rd Pennsylvania was a Zouave regiment that fought there. The other being the New York Fire Zouaves. By 1863 most Zouave units were wearing standard Union uniforms but their style of fighting didn’t change
They are reenactors portraying the 84th New York, also called the 14th NY State Volunteers or the 14th Brooklyn. They were 2nd division, 1st Brigade, 1st Corp. The other two uniformed Zouve regiments of the Union Army at Gettysburg fought at the Peach Orchard, 114th PA, and Culps Hill, and the 23rd PA, Birney's Zouves. There were six other Zouve regiments present but all in the standard union blue.
There were also a few “Brooklyn” Regiments from NY of the 11th Corps that fought near McPherson’s Ridge, The Railroad Cut and other areas on the first day. They were also Zouave units.
This is the definitive War, in which a lot of things changed. You still had the Soldiers, to a large degree, advancing in Rectangular Columns, but some units learned to fight from behind trees and boulders. The Smoothbore Muskets were, at least to a considerable degree, switched out for Rifles, with grooves in the barrels, which, of course, increased the accuracy, distance-wise. Then came the Spencer Rifles. These babies could be loaded with up to either 6 or 7 rounds of already prepared Ammunition . They were comparatively easy to load, aim, and fire, and you could shoot all of those bullets in a matter of seconds.
@@ronaldshank7589 All the major powers sent "observers" over to see if there was anything to learn from the war. I remember reading a quote by someone over in Europe, that went something like "The war over in North America is just two mobs chasing each other in the wilderness, there is nothing to learn from this!" Boy oh boy! It is not often I have read something so horribly wrong. Almost EVERYTHING that would become important in "The Great War" as they called it, or the first world war, can be traced to the American Civil war. Infantry tactics and organization. Strategy and logistics. The importance of the train network. Advancements in artillery. Trench warfare. The introduction of rifles, and primitive machineguns. The first Iroclads and even submarines. Spotting balloons. ... and more, pretty much everything but the tank!
It is great how Reynolds shows up looking prestine, gloves a bright white, buttons gleaming, uniform immaculate. A stark contrast to Buford and his staff... and even his own staff, who had been riding hard directly behind him. A striking figure to inspire men forward.
I get all choked up watching this scene. From the dramatic effort by Buford to hold out until the 1st Corp arrives to the untimely death of Reynolds. What a moment in our history!
I have learned that I had a relative who fought for Buford that day. His cavalry also helped the 1st Corps make their strategic retreat later that day -- that part I have just learned about. Bravo Buford and his Boys!
i had an ancestor that was a sharpshooter in barksdales brigade. there were 1097 men that served in his regiment.... 75 were there at appomattox, my ancestor being 1 of them. out of his entire company (100 men not including officers) 8 survived the war
I agree with your assessment of Buford who was first to see the value of the terrain and vowed to hold it until I and XI Corps arrived. But then give credit for Reynolds for committing his infantry and artillery without hesitation to battle. Before he died he sent Meade a dispatch vowing to fight for every street if needed. "Good!" said Meade. "That is just like Reynolds!" Then finally Hancock and Warren for formally selecting the field in Meade's stead. And Meade for trusting their call.
But it was Meade who's order to keep the III corps in emmitsville where they bivouaked on the night of the 31st. A rider was told by Reynolds to bring up the third the morning of the 1st, but he waited until after 3pm because of the order from Meade.
It's probably been commented already, but the building used by Buford and the lookout he used as on the roof is still standing today and can be visited.
Excellent scene. The 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan regiments of volunteers plus 1 battery of Regular U.S. Army artillery. Go Badgers, Hoosiers and Wolverines!! Love the stirring of Hell on the Wabash (6:40) as Reynolds salutes the Iron Brigade marching into battle!!
The scenes involving Buford always remind me of the scenes in "The Longest Day" involving Richard Todd as Major John Howard ("Hold until relieved . . . hold until relieved"). In both films we see examples of two competent officers doing one of the worst jobs a line commander can face: being required to hold a position against unknown (and usually superior) opposition, and using only the resources you've brought with you.
Richard Todd was actually at "Pegasus " bridge in the early morning of 6 June. With the Ox & Bucks . He was one of the battalion's officers. Talk about perfect casting.
For once the Potomac Army had the right men at the right time. Buford saw the defensive possibility of Gettysburg's terrain and vowed to delay the Rebels until Frst Corps' arrrival. Then Reynolds acted without hesitation to fight for Gettysburg to hold that high ground. To Meade's credit, he gave Reynolds (then Hancock) authority to select the battlefield. Unlike Heth who "stumbled into this fight" a decisive Reynolds threw down the gauntlet leaving the Gettysburg battlefield as his legacy.
@@beowulf1312 Ha ha, no. But I can only assume that she's been taking a grand ride around the entire Union Army with General Stuart, as she usually leaves me with no idea what's in front of me.
I was there for the 145th Anniversary of the Battle and Fought w/Vincents Bde! Had a great time. I stood at the sight where General Reynolds was hit! A Great leader and Pennsylvania Man! General Buford is the MAN!!! What great insight and understanding of terrain, troop movement and battle formations. HUZZAH for BUFORD!!!
Love how Gen. Lee is all like "Can you believe this guy?" when listening to Gen. Heth's report. At about 3:20 he already knows that things are messed up.
@@loonie5468 Heth was Lee’s younger cousin, and Lee was personally fond of him. He was one of only a few individuals that the formal Lee usually called by his first name ("Harry”). But on that occasion Lee was very angry with him. Lee’s reserved way of speaking (“ . . . MISTER HEATH . . . !!“) barely masked his feelings!
The scene of General Reynolds surrounded by his mourning men is a memorable composition. I've often wondered if this scene comes from a period painting, and the film maker's version is an homage.
The tableaux here mimics two famous paintings: Benjamin West's depiction of the death of James Wolfe at Quebec during the French and Indian War, and John Trumbull's similar depiction of the death of Richard Montgomery at Montreal during the Revolutionary War.
It is based on a similar period painting, although the original depicts the death of a different general than Reynolds (cannot recall who atm). The framing of that shot in the movie (and the immediately prior background movements setting up the scene) are exceptionally well done.
This movie is one of the greatest of all time. "Gods and Generals" was terrible, of course, but "Gettysburg" is classic. What music! Acting, plot, all of it. I am so very thankful it was made.
The extended version of Gods and General is better. Many reenactors are active military and could not participate in it because it was being made right after 9/11.
whats really great about this film is its a bunch of actors doing the speaking roles, but everyone else is an actual reenactor. The result is that most of the extras are practiced in drill, they are far more passionate about this than regular extras would be.
Unfortunately TV channels don’t have the gumption to air this great movie again. The best history of the turning battle of our civil war. Great loss for the young generation not to see and understand why this war was fought.
@@danmorris8594I do because I have hundreds of channels to choose, plus streaming channels included for no extra cost, all for one price, and I can surf them all at my heart's content. This has been shown in the past and will probably show up again.
If a certain cannonball would have killed Hooker at Chancellorville, Reynolds would have taken command of the AoP and probably would have won the war by 63 at the latest. He was a heck of a commander and the North really suffered for his loss.
I love a, 'what if..', scenario. I agree, Reynolds was the superior general to Meade. Equally, and also at Chancellorville, what if Jackson hadn't been killed and had been at Gettysburg on that first day instead of Euell?
Even though it does get some of the history wrong, as do almost all movies, its hits the mark about 90% of the time. Well cast and edited so a Civil War novice can follow what's going on, probably the best Civil War movie ever made.
Same, been reading up on the Civil War extensively but even knowing this movies few or minor errors here and there, this has still been my fav Civil War movie since I was 8, and I don't expect that to change.
Stuart expected to ride around the Union Army like he did before. But he kept running into Union units which pushed him further and further away. He also insisted in bringing along a wagon train he had captured slowing him. And he also took time to burn Carlisle Barracks.
There is a marker on the battlefield at the spot where General Reynolds was shot. Having seen this film and reading a good bit, it was not hard to visualize Reynolds there, with a wooded area nearby from where the Confederate soldier would have taken a bead on him. That spot is also close to the cupola where Buford would have been watching for Reynold's arrival earlier in the day.
The soundtrack for this movie is so perfect. That feeling of relief that Buford must’ve felt seeing Reynolds and his first corps flag.corps flag Is captured wonderfully by the music
@scottfisher352. Gettysburg is the most seminal battle this nation ever fought. Had The Confederacy prevailed America would not be the nation we are today. And the world would be a very different place.
Reynolds was a capable general so capable that Lincoln offered him command of the Army of the Potomac before he bestowed that command upon General Meade. Reynolds had he assumed overall command would not have placed himself so close to the fighting and would have survived and he would not have Lee escape as Meade did. Reynolds was far more aggressive a commander than Meade.
Heth was not only a friend but cousin to Lee--and he was indeed the only officer Lee addressed by first name, other than his sons. Explains Longstreet doing a double take toward the end when Lee addresses him by nickname.
I agree! A third movie would be awesome, but you'd have to get all new actors to play Chamberlain and most of the other characters. Martin Sheen could probably still play Lee.
This segment conveyed the desperation felt by both Union and Confederate armies in the initial engagements. Today it is easy to say that one commander or another should have done this or that. But at the time the Fog of War was never thicker.
My 3rd great grandfather Joseph Spigelmyer was a sharpshooter and cavalryman at Gettysburg. He was with Gen. Reynolds when he got shot and caught him when he fell.
The display of the many CSA uniforms is excellent, cannons and weapons excellent The Tune segment 6:41/8:56 is a excellent marching tune ! A almost haunting tune ! What's the name of it ?? My unit ( CSA ) was at the 135th event in 1998, we vacationed a full week before the event, The Best of Times !
It's so interesting how the formations arrive for the battle. Like, a large get together. Family cookout. Just showing up and being thrown into a dynamic and ever changing situation. A deadly situation. Always found that so interesting with battles. The anticipation of new formations showing up, going through the routine of bringing them up to speed, settling them in, getting them rested a little, finding a position for them to occupy or defend etc. A huge part of the war, for the everyday man, like as in a part of the day to day, socially. So interesting.
I personally know the actor who played Reynolds- John Rothman. He was in a lot of Woody Allen films, Sophie's Choice, many oter more minor roles in many films, and had a guest star on Law and Order. We had a pretty amazing encounter in 1967. His brother Tom is one of the most influential men in America. He has been a studio head for decades and currently is head of Sony pictures
Not the artillery, wbaker7, it was the rifled musket. The old Brown Bess muskets were smoothbore and wasn't accurate much beyond 50 yards. The Springfields or Enfields used in the Civil War were rifled muskets and could kill at 300 yards. This was why Pickets Charge, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor and Kennesaw Mountain were such bloodbaths.
The interesting thing is that Lee had actually hoped to catch the Union army strecthed out on the march, pounce on each piece with his entire united army and defeat it corps by corps. With Stuart MIA he couldn't set it up, but the situation on July 1 with the 3rd Corps attacking from the west and the 2nd from the north to engage first the 1st and then 11th corps (Union corps were smaller than Confederate ones) the situation was as he had hoped. He recognized that and attacked.
One thing this shows very well is that, no matter how you slice it, the officers of the Army of the Potomac know exactly what they are doing here and why they want to do it. whereas Lee doesn't. They are able to control the situation, even when Lee outnumbers them initially, because they have a fairly accurate picture of the enemy disposition and their own, they know where and on what terms they want to fight Lee, and how to make it happen. I and XI Corps were able to delay the Confederates just long enough for the rest of the Army to come up and secure the superior ground that they had already chosen. And yes, much of this clearly comes down to reconnaissance, but also to communication. If the rest of Meade's Army hadn't rushed in to support, if the orders got delayed, or if Meade decided to be more cautious, Doubleday and Howard would have been left holding the bag, and badly. So the Army is able to get great intelligence, creates a winning plan on the fly and then executes that plan perfectly. Lee doesn't get very good intelligence and as a result is left guessing and then takes his enemy's bait, in a way almost for lack of a better plan. People are quick to blame Stuart, but really this isn't an issue with one single officer. It would have been Lee's job to make sure he had a cavalry arm that regarded it's job as being the Army's eyes and ears, and screening it from the enemy, which was what they were ultimately most needed for. Lee definitely doesn't make sure that his Cavalry stays between him and where he thinks the enemy probably is. But that's exactly where the Union Cavalry is, and as a result, they are able to find most of Lee's army, keep tabs on their movement, and slow them down as much as possible; whereas Lee is left to rely on the sparse information from his Infantry commanders once they make contact.
Let’s don’t forget Buford’s division for choosing the battlefield and develop the situation until MG Reynolds’ troops arrived. My family rode with BG Buford in COL Devin’s brigade. They were tough men serving under commanders who were just as tough.
The song is named "Hell on the Wabash." It was written in honor of the Battle of Tippecanoe which occurred on Nov. 7, 1812. Chief Tecumseh led a surprise attack at dawn against U.S. forces under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, later a President, near the meeting of the Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers in Indiana. After a day long battle, Gen. Harrison's forces were victorious.
1st Corp rules! It had the Iron Brigade and a regiment from my Westmoreland County , PA ---the 11th PA. They have a splendid statue on Oak Ridge. At the base of the statue is Sallie, their mascot dog who lead them at every battle.. What a tragedy that Reynolds was killed. He was first rate.
Agree. The !st Corps. at Gettysburg on July 1 put up an amazing fight. The Iron Brigade's stand was a true epic...but one it sadly never recovered from.
The most overrated Southern general in history. Successful early in the war when the North was still looking for decent cavalry commanders. Beaten by a number of Northern units, including one commanded by Custer, after Gettysburg, from which he was conspicuously absent.
Such good acting in such a perfect, gripping, just all out wonderful film. Martin Sheen as General Lee is pure perfection. (Robert Duvall may look like Lee more, but Sheen inhabits the persona, the character, more superbly, I think). I like both the actors playing General Heath and and Gen Reynolds, all the casting in this movie is so perfect. Of course Sam Elliott is epic, and perhaps Stephen Lang being the most perfect casting of all of them..(Even John Diehl, c'mon such great casting bringing him into this)..Just such a superb movie in every way. Love every part of it. Even the musical score is great. I thought in Gods and Generals, the music was a little off...In this movie everything fits like a glove. So good.
Sheen was drunk and addicted to drugs at the time. His performance was dismal. His accent was a joke. Duval was so much better. Duval is also a horseman and a Virginian.
Wow, I think you're the only person who prefers the horrible Sheen over the magnificent Duvall. Sheen portrays Lee like a cartoon character. He's physically completely wrong for the part and can't ride a horse. Duvall is literally a trillion times superior.
@bigblondman1 Quick correction on the Zouaves part...the soldiers depicted in this scene are actually 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs. This is an easy mistake to make, as both wear red pants. The Zouave uniform is more baggy and features a vest with red piping and fez. The Chasseur, by contrast, wears straight wool slacks, a red kepi, and a Chasseur-style coat with 84 brass buttons and sewn-in vest. They were coined the "Red Legged Devils" by Stonewall Jackson after 1st Bull Run.
I think the writer and director did a very good job showing Lee reprimanding Heth in this scene in his typical gentle way... "Things will get out of control Mr Heth, this is why we have orders..." I agree to the much-heared saying, he was a perfect gentleman indeed. A more severe reprimanding wouldnt have done Mr Heth injustice, thats for sure :)
You can add 1st Minnesota to that thank you as well. On the 2nd day when the Union line was buckling with 2 brigades incoming they charged and kept the Confederates busy so reinforcements could pull up. The 82% casualty rate stands as the largest loss by any surviving U.S military unit in a single day's engagement ever. Most were lost in the first 5 minutes.
@@wrongtracksuitrest of the world speaking. You WERE a laughing stock with that filthy cretin Trump in charge, but your government isn't despised any more. Internationally, the US commands some respect again.
He thought he saw a breach in the Union line in that vicinity late on July 2. And that was just with a few brigades. He felt that if ge could hit that same spot with a mass attack and link up with Stuart's cavalry on the other side he had a chance to burst the Union lines wide open. The problem was he never gave Meade the credit for seeing that same breach and addressing it, as he did. He in fact read Lee right, telling Gibbon in the center that he would bear the next assault on July 3.
Best scene in the whole movie, those reenactors swinging out into line of battle acted exactly as the original Black Hats would have done!! A lot of pride there.
I'll go further into saying that while England liked Southern cotton, at the time of the Civil War, what they NEEDED was Northern wheat. The North was able, through advances in farming machinery able to feed itself and supply Britain. That was another factor in play when England was considering interfereing in the Civil War. Wbaker7, if you are able to find it, bring home a copy of Bruce Catton's "American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War" it'll get you up to speed on the Civil War.
John Reynolds was widely recognized as the best Union general in the Army of the Potomac and a fine rider. He declined the position that Gen. Meade took basically because he didn't want Washington DC on his back. He died at Gettysburg in his home state defending the Union. God Bless his Memory
The Iron Brigade's stand on McPherson and then Seminary Ridge was a true epic...but one from which they would never recover so heavy were their losses. As one Reb soldier supposedly muttered when he saw them deploying: "'Taint no militia. It's them damned black-hatted fellows again!" They earned their lofty position that day: 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps.
"I can't understand why I have not heard from General Stuart" is the most important line in the entire clip.
Stuart was a glory-seeking showboater who had no sense of responsibility or accountability.
@@toryquinton2677 The problem was that Lee was an excellent battlefield commander and tactician, but was a rather poor campaign strategist with little grasp on how to truly fight a war on the scale he was assigned.
@@dennisdouglass7688
I disagree, Lee absolutely knew what he was up against. He was adamant that the South could not outfight the North, that defeat was inevitable unless foreign intervention occurred or northern resolve wavered. Hence, why Lee favored an aggressive strategy in trying to control the pace of the war. He believed that if he could deliver a decisive enough victory that he could acquire those conditions: much like how Washington did at Saratoga in the Revolution.
Lee knew over a long enough time the North would win. The Peninsula Campaign in 62' demonstrated how hopeless the South was if a large enough force came right at them. He only extricated the Confederacy out of that campaign by being boldly aggressive which intimidated the cautious McClelland. What Lee always was dreaded was that a general with more resolve would do what McClelland did not and refuse to retreat from Virginia: exactly what Grant would do in the Overland campaign. He needed to prevent such situations from occurring by blunting Northern incursions and keeping the initiative on his side. Thus, Lee favored bold, aggressive maneuvers because passivity in the face of a superior enemy was defeat by other means.
Either take the fight to the North or accept a slow defeat. There is no scenario where the South wins by just being defensive. In the wake of Fredericksburg, the Mud March, and Chancellorsville, Lee knew that the conditions for a winning scenario were possibly up for grabs. But he also knew the Confederacy was on the backfoot in the West and was deteriorating daily, Vicksburg would fall soon, Joe Johnston was dallying in Jackson, and Bragg was being pushed out of Tennessee. Lee was the only one in a position of command to remotely have a chance. Thus, Gettysburg was the product of Lee's strategic analysis.
Lee's orders to Stuart were vague. Stuart was spending time taking Union wagons and supplies, while Lee actually need the intel much worse. But Stuart had always done that, in fact it was a necessity for a traveling army like that.
He was drinking whiskey, while giving the beer to his horses
The relief on John Buford’s face is indescribable.
I'm quite sure that the relief on the real John Buford's face probably came very close.
The relief is palpable. Brings a lump to throat, knowing how enormously important the arrival of the First Corps must have been.
20,000 men tho ? Gahdamn .. I couldn’t even imagine the carnage that took place.
Especially since he was outflanked
@@aidanjoyce3248 he wasn't yet but he knew with in an hour or so he would be as Rhodes was coming down Mummasburg road Buford was running out of ammo and man power and ground to give for a Calvary mans prospective you cant retreat through a town and have any chance to fight on the other side so it was hold as long as you can there and if you cant get support you have to retreat
Sam Elliot is the definitive John Buford.
Buford's boys slowing the Rebs down and helping to deny them the high ground that day changed the course of the battle and therefore likely the course of the war, at least in the East. Any scenario that ended with Lee holding Cemetery Ridge on the evening of the 1st could have turned Gettysburg into another Fredericksburg, and left "Washington City" vulnerable. The stakes were immense.
Read a much fuller explanation of Bufords tactics several years ago. He’d thrown scouts out on every approach and had skirmishers positions behind a couple rises well before the Seminary. The delay of Heath started well before what is portrayed in the film (there’s a time limit in cinema) It was a brilliant deployment of dismounted cavalry to both delay and fool the enemy into believing they faced a much larger force.
The Iron Brigade also did much to stop the confederates here. The 24th Michigan, (one of my state's regiments) lost 80% of her unit here but captured several generals.
Unlikely. Meade was no Burnside and would never have made the same mistake as was made at Fredricksburg. He always had the option to retreat back along his own supply line to Pipe Creek and establish a defensive position on good ground there if holding a position at Gettysburg wasn't viable. Meade was the first Federal general in the East who would not let himself get sucked into playing Lee's game. But forcing the battle at Gettysburg, with the Union holding Cemetery Ridge, did indeed affect the outcome of the war, not only in the East but the West as well as Vicksburg was about to fall to Grant while this battle was raging, and there would be no Confederate reinforcements rushing to rescue Pemberton. The major effect of this battle was to break Lee's aura of invincibility, and the Army of Northern Virginia -- largely stalemated for the remainder of 1863 -- was never again able to attempt such an offensive. From July 3rd onward, the Confederacy was forced into a losing defensive struggle in which time was not on their side.
Well, the Confederates took Oak Ridge and Seminary Ridge on Day 1. They were the main “high ground” positions that Union forces were trying to hold. So no, Buford and Reynolds did not really do what the novel Killer Angels and the movie fictionally portrayed.
No one knew about which hills would then eventually become key until like 9pm on Day 1.
Buford had fought in the plains Indian wars and knew how effective dismounted calvary could be when outnumbered. Plus his men had breech loaders, a 3x force multiplier. Right leader, right tactics, right weapon, at the exact right time. Coincidence?
General Reynolds and General Buford were very brave. Poor Reynolds would bravely die on the field July 1, 1863... So tragic. General Buford died too with typhoid fever. Both gave her lives for their nation. Please never forget them...
Reynolds was the highest ranking officer to die at Gettysburg
A bit ironic you are pleading for people not to forget yankee Generals when certain people are trying to erase our Generals from memory as quickly as possible.
@@randolphkersey5155 maybe because yours tried to destroy the usa as nation? Like trump now?
@@randolphkersey5155The way things are going you'll only see Union reenactors at battle sights & you'll hear the announcer on the P.A. speaker say, "Now imagine if you will the Confederate line charged over here....."
@@TheMrPeteChannel as crazy as it sounds I can see it with the woke insanity
The Iron Brigade was almost annihilated the first day at Gettysburg in McPherson Woods. But they fought for every inch of ground and did just as much damage to the rebels as they were taking being outnumbered 3 to 1.If it was any other unit in that position they might not have held on as long. Giving the rest of the Army time to come up and take defensive positions on cemetery hill. The Iron Brigade was never the same again after Gettysburg, but what they did on day 1 will never be forgotten.
It will almost certainly be forgotten one day.
@@Dadecorban😅
@@DadecorbanSeeing how our education system is owned by the libanuts, they hate our American history.
My home state ( Wisconsin) was part of the iron brigade
@@seanbrittain2625Madison says hi 1:26
General Reynold's death was a big loss at Gettysburg, but he did bring his 1st corps up to where they were needed. They suffered heavy losses on the first day: the Iron brigade- an crack elite unit, took a lot of punishment that day and was finished off as a unit, but their service and sacrifice was not in vain.
The Corps was finished after that day. It was combined with the 11th and sent west.
A close friend of mine's ancestor fought with the Iron Brigade. My friend had all the post-war unit reunion invitations, and so much of his great-great-however many "greats" uncle's papers. He was not much into history, the way that I am. My friend was proud, yes, and I filled him in on details. He was happy, I was thrilled to death. I had a relative on my maternal grandfather's side who was with the 1st PA Brigade, and managed to survive the Battle of Cold Harbor.
@briankorbelik2873 Awesome. I learned the Iron brigade got their famous nickname during the battle of South Mountain before Antietam. I belive General George McClellan described this brigade fighting with the tenacity of Iron. The nickname stuck. The Brigade had their many baptism of fire: Antietam: The Miller Cornfield. The iron brigade lost a lot of good soldiers. After other battles, the real baptism of fire was at Gettysburg, the first day. Heavy fighting at McPherson's woods just decimated the brigade. But their sacrifice was not in vain. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
@@haynes1776 The Iron Brigade's choice of headgear was believed to be the first universal use of what we now call the cowboy hat.
I like the scene where "Fife and Drum" is playing and the Iron Brigade is forming up in the field. That music with a mass of blue and the regimental colors flying across that field...*chills*
You aren’t kidding. That is wonderful music and wonderful cinema!
War is hell
@@DakJackal_FilmsIndeed..... Tis not fun
When the Iron Brigade was first arriving the name of the tune being played is called "Hell on the Wabash" which originated in the early 19th Century and most likely refers to St. Clair's defeat by the indians in the old northwest territory. The tune appears in published civil war songbooks.
@@josephwalukonis9934 While I think 'Hell on the Wabash' sounds better and more cinematic for this scene, the tune the Iron Brigade actually played when marching into Battle was 'The Campbells are Coming'. The tune doesn't sound nearly as urgent or really all that intimidating , so I think it was a good call to change it.
I live a stone's throw away from this battlefield and this movie is just scary. I have walked over all the places in it and that really brings this story home.
Interestingly enough, I live on the edge of a very ancient battlefield, the great battle of Brunanburh/Bromborough 937AD, where King Athelstan with Mercian Angles, and Saxons from Wessex, defeated the Scots and Norsemen, Wirral archeologists are still turning up weapons from the site...E..
When we visited Gburg, we took the bus tour. I had been to Vietnam, but I started crying when I realized the extent of this battle. So many good men lost on both sides. War is a punishment for sin.
@@fload46d
I bet you never considered the VC to be "good men".
As a kid I lived in a house that was standing during the battle of Gettysburg. I lived east of Gettysburg. I too have walked the battlefield. Lots of brave soldiers on both sides were there in July 1863.
The moment where the victory at Gettysburg was sealed. The dynamic initiative of Buford and Reynolds changed the course of the entire war.
Maybe. But if lee listened to Longstreet and left after the first day to find a hill near DC then this would be a different story too.
With some Col. Vincent assistance of course come 2nd day
@@drnick5439 Lee couldn’t. He knew that Vicksburg was on its last legs. The south’s only chance was victory on northern ground while they still had strategic initiative. The instant Vicksburg fell, cutting the south in half, there was no saving the cause, and Lee knew it. So did Meade. Lee also knew that falling back after day one would be called a victory by the north. The south had to have a uncontroversial win, and Lincoln knew that, which is why he appointed Meade, the cold poker player.
Rebels : " Hey, it's those black-hat fellers again. This ain't no militia " !
@@drnick5439, and go where? The entire problem was that Lee was blind without Stuart’s cavalry. He couldn’t leave without running the risk that the Federals would set up an ambush and destroy his army elsewhere.
However, he knew where the federals were at that moment and sought to defeat them where he had them; at Gettysburg.
As filming started, Sam Elliott's mustache arrived two days before he did.
Thus space a local.
One of the most touching scenes - Buford´s eyes filled with tears upon Reynold´s arrivial!!!
Yes...and if you listen closely, you can hear him offer two distinct words-"Thank God"-as a Prayer of thanks.
Come to think of it, many Brave Men, both North and South, were staunchly devout Christians. Many loved the Lord, and were willing to fight for what they thought to be right.
@@ronaldshank7589except one side was right; one side was wrong. The side fighting to own people was wrong.
Hell im Georgia born and raised and I cheer every time Reynolds arrives.
What a terrible loss of one of the finest generals on either side. John Fulton Reynolds will always be rememered for his heroics.
Yes. Matter-of-fact comprehension of events and tactical prowess.
I see you have been swayed by the lost cause narrative
Reynolds was offered overall command before Meade was. Reynolds demanded "zero political interference", which basically meant he wouldn't take orders from Lincoln. So he was passed over. If he had just taken command, he'd probably would have survived Gettysburg.
Corp Commanders should not lead from the front.
@@1961Tuber He had too, the day one fighting was so scattered that it required him to be there.
Its sad that reynolds did not live to see the end of this battle. Both buford and reynolds knew each other. Another example of friendship , strong friendship even during wartime.
Hancock and Armistead
"What goes John?.......Can you Hold? " ..."I reckon I can..."
Beautiful and tragic. The danger of leading your men from the front, but the loyalty and courage it inspires in the soldiers.
There is a statue of Reynolds on horseback in front of the Philadelphia City Hall. Go see it. And go see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Washington Square. You'll understand why when you get there.
I believe it was Sam Elliot who gave a great deal of credit for the success of the movie to the hundreds of the enactors who came with their own uniforms , equipment and knowledge of the military sequences.
And local Firefighter trainees.
Buford's cavalry and Reynold's Iron Brigade was one of the all time great right time right place moments
Nice to stop the rebs for a short time but little bearing on the battle. Reynolds wasted troops. Look at the map and you will see the land that was fought for was given to the rebs. Reynolds would have been better to just take up lines on cemetary ridge right away and defend Culps hill. Same thing that happened with less loss of life.
@@RobertLee-wi5kcTheir purpose was to oppose Lee's advance, entangle Lee in battle on ground of their choosing, and buy time to bring up the remaining Corps in the AotP. They succeeded, but at a high cost. Their actions allowed the victories on the 2nd day, and the full defeat of the rebels on the 3rd day.
Oh I understand the concept. But Buford could just as easily withdrawn an hour or 2 later and taken up defense on cemetary ridge. The land he held was given up anyway. When the infantry got there they could have just lengthened the line and played defense which is what happened on day 2 and 3. Better ground to defend and the losses of Iron brigade advancing through the woods would have been better spent defensively behind the little rocky fence. No big deal if they had not concentrated at Gettsyburg as Meade never intended for it in the first place. Not to mention if the confederates wanted the high ground they could have it as they were the outnumbered invaders and certainly Meade could just let Lee sit there and wither on the vine.
Hindsight is twenty twenty - believe me when troops are out of direct line of sight and all you have is hearing to determine how the fight is going it’s an entirely different command environment - been there done that - you react to what you can see and hear - not to what might be… and once battle is joined command becomes radically different from a battle plan. (No plan survives first contact) Reynolds’s not only denied the rebels the ground but also denied them the initiative. The value of that cannot be overstated. He basically forced them to put up or shut up … engaging a larger and better equipped army on an unequal footing. That and the terrain sealed the victory.
@@RobertLee-wi5kc Withdrawing while engaged in battle is hard. a withdraw can easily turn into a rote.His job was to stack up Lee's army on the road from Chambersburg long enough for the AotP to take the field.
The Black Hats, also called the Iron Brigade, were mostly made of Wisconsin regiments. This is why Reynolds kept shouting "Forward" during the fighting; Wisconsin's state motto. As a Wisconsin native, we're proud of our Iron Brigade, the unit that one officer claimed, "Could march a mule right off its feet."
Well said! Forward the Iron Brigade!!
The Stonewall Brigade pretty much got animated during Pickett's charge.
Did the whole wisconsin unit get killed
suffered severe losses to the point they were combat ineffective
I'm not american but Norwegian and ofcourse have read about the 15th Wisconsin Voluteer infantry regiment (The norwegian regiment or Scandinavian regiment lead by Col. Hansn Chr. Heg), I believe they where not in this fight or in the iron brigade, but from what I have read they did hold their ground as proud Wisconsin men.
Hard to imagine what General Buford must have thought when he saw Reynolds coming on with reinforcements. He had taken a fair chance trying to hold with his mounted infantry (even with their breech loaders) against some of the best infantry in history led by General Heth.Unsung hero and nobody could play him better than Sam Elliott,
And not to mention he had already had a similar situation in an earlier battle that turned south very badly...this time time it was completely different.
@@andrewnlarsenwhich battle was that?
Buford had special tactics that slowed down Heth quite a lot, but not indefinitely. he dismounted 2/3rds of his men and built barricades across the roads, pushed horse artillery forward and combined his brigades. He knew he wouldn't hold on his own, but would drive Heth's men back and prevent them from charging in one movement. In real life the rebs charged thrice as each time Buford formed more defense lines.
Not sure if this is the best infantry in history, they got pretty chewed up and General Archer was captured along with his brigade, annoyingly by West Point classmate Abner Doubleday. By the second day Heth was himself wounded in the head, surviving only due to the quality of his hat and extra padding placed there due to a poor fit.
Agreed. The Iron Brigade was one of the best outfits in the North.
Another unit from Wisconsin was the one that charged up the large hill overlooking Chattanoga. They were never ordered to. They just thought it up and did it! Several Flag carriers were killed on the way up, but the one that held the flag as the unit reached the top was given the Medal of Honor for his action. That 18 year old "kid" was Arthur McArthur...General Douglas McArthur's father. Arthur would eventually, also, reach the rank of General...like his kid!
Which led to their demise. The Boogieman Brigade for the Rebs. Chances are, you weren't going back to your hometown, except in a box.
Lee's admonishment of Harry Heth is extraordinary. Lee was renowned for being stoic and never showing anger. The fiercest admonishment that he could deliver in front of other high-ranking officers is "Mr. Heth, is there any way in which you could have misunderstood my orders? ......[Heth] "No, sir."....[Heth goes on to describe his predicament to Lee like a small child who has just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar].............[Lee's response]......"Mr. Heth, things WILL get confusing........that's why we have orders......]......... to the unacquainted this might look like a passing comment, but, THIS is a SCATHING admonishment from lee. Absolutely SCORCHING.
Heth did inadvertently commence the battle prematurely, but Lee thought very highly of him and was responsible for much of Heth's advancement in rank.
It's a Hollywood film. As it actually happened, it was Lee- and not Heth- who escalated the battle. Pettigrew's brigade of Heth's division moved on Gettysburg on 30 June but withdrew after observing enemy combatants there. On 1 July, Heth moved on Gettysburg with Hill's authorization. After Heth was engaged, Lee made the decision for additional Confederate forces to attack.
Lee's lack of information from Stuart was Lee's fault entirely. Lee gave Stuart two objectives for one force which coincided in time. Stuart lacked the strength to accomplish both simultaneously- and he lacked the time to accomplish first one and then the other. Stuart attempted to accomplish both objectives as directed and predictably failed.
But his boys got their dander up…
@@manilajohn0182 Stuart took the bulk of the cav with him, some 3 divisions. He failed to send back riders with updates , instead looting a baggage train and moving as a mobile force.
@@SantomPh Stuart's entire command consisted of only one division. He took three brigades of that division (approximately half of his force). He later dispatched two messengers to Lee to inform him that the AotP was moving northward, but neither of them got through to Lee. Lee twice sent Stuart orders specifically instructing him to both gather information and provisions for the army.
This is truly one of my all time favorite movies indeed Gettysburg I can never get enough of watching this film over and over again with it's very wonderfully spectacular all star cast and all of its glorious great battle scenes indeed!👍.
Such a terrible loss of life on both sides. I tear up whenever I watch this movie. So many of our own died fighting each other. A terrible moment in our country’s still brief existence. I still sometimes am not sure we won’t end up in this situation again. We have yet to truly learn from our mistakes and handle our differences constructively.
@TheJonathan320 "So many of our own died fighting each other", all war is sad, but death in a civil war seems more poignant; and this was the second one on American soil. The first of course was fought between 1776 and 1783.
The Confederates were NOT "our own". Stop humanizing these evil ass people. Every Confederate soldier killed had it coming.
Good comment. 600.000 men died and now the USA 🇺🇸 is a total mess. Carjackings on a daily basis by the 13 Percent.
@@richardjennings7050 13 percent, meaning blacks?
This battle has so many great characters. Better than any fiction. Buford was one of them. He was probably the only man North or South who on the evening of June 30 knew without a doubt that July 1 would bring fighting down on Gettysburg. He was a hard soldier and a hard man and did his job first as scout and then as a stall to force Heth to deploy his men in line of battle waiting for the 1st and 11th Coprs to arrive...saving the town for most of the day and possibly the battle.
If one studies the whole of Buford's Civil War career, it was a remarkable achievement. He appears not to have made a mistake.
@@ordinarypeople20 and somehow I feel Buford would dispute that based on his character.
Three cheers for the 1st Corp, Generals Buford and Reynolds and the Iron Brigade! Saddened greatly by Reynolds death. Reynolds was my favorite general--from my home state of Pennsylvania.
PA is my home state, too, and Reynolds and I were both born in Lancaster.
Far anyone curious the red legged units are a Zouave regiment. They were distinctive in dress and formation. The units moved in a more open type of formation vs the standard line formation of the Napoleon era. The uniforms were different too to allow for faster movement they were looser and gave greater freedom of movement. Zouave units also engaged more often from prone or laying of the back. This minimized the chances of them being hit while improving their survival chances. I believe the 163rd Pennsylvania was a Zouave regiment that fought there. The other being the New York Fire Zouaves. By 1863 most Zouave units were wearing standard Union uniforms but their style of fighting didn’t change
They are reenactors portraying the 84th New York, also called the 14th NY State Volunteers or the 14th Brooklyn. They were 2nd division, 1st Brigade, 1st Corp. The other two uniformed Zouve regiments of the Union Army at Gettysburg fought at the Peach Orchard, 114th PA, and Culps Hill, and the 23rd PA, Birney's Zouves.
There were six other Zouve regiments present but all in the standard union blue.
There were also a few “Brooklyn” Regiments from NY of the 11th Corps that fought near McPherson’s Ridge, The Railroad Cut and other areas on the first day.
They were also Zouave units.
This is the definitive War, in which a lot of things changed. You still had the Soldiers, to a large degree, advancing in Rectangular Columns, but some units learned to fight from behind trees and boulders. The Smoothbore Muskets were, at least to a considerable degree, switched out for Rifles, with grooves in the barrels, which, of course, increased the accuracy, distance-wise.
Then came the Spencer Rifles.
These babies could be loaded with up to either 6 or 7 rounds of already prepared Ammunition . They were comparatively easy to load, aim, and fire, and you could shoot all of those bullets in a matter of seconds.
@@ronaldshank7589 All the major powers sent "observers" over to see if there was anything to learn from the war. I remember reading a quote by someone over in Europe, that went something like "The war over in North America is just two mobs chasing each other in the wilderness, there is nothing to learn from this!"
Boy oh boy! It is not often I have read something so horribly wrong.
Almost EVERYTHING that would become important in "The Great War" as they called it, or the first world war, can be traced to the American Civil war.
Infantry tactics and organization.
Strategy and logistics.
The importance of the train network.
Advancements in artillery.
Trench warfare.
The introduction of rifles, and primitive machineguns.
The first Iroclads and even submarines.
Spotting balloons.
... and more, pretty much everything but the tank!
@@Grubnar and he was right
Reynolds to Buford: "Now let's go surprise Harry Heath." I just LOVE that line!
It is great how Reynolds shows up looking prestine, gloves a bright white, buttons gleaming, uniform immaculate. A stark contrast to Buford and his staff... and even his own staff, who had been riding hard directly behind him. A striking figure to inspire men forward.
Officers do not get involved in enlisted duties. It's that simple.
Sorry to report but the pristine Reynolds died that day.
@@lavern007 But looked good doing it.
@@lavern007Sore you lost?
@@schwunkie it’s only a four letter word and yet you don’t know the meaning and by extension, I’m not sure what you attempted to say.
Very emotional scene if you are a 1st Corp and General Reynolds fan . I am both. Black Hats forever !
I get all choked up watching this scene. From the dramatic effort by Buford to hold out until the 1st Corp arrives to the untimely death of Reynolds. What a moment in our history!
I have learned that I had a relative who fought for Buford that day. His cavalry also helped the 1st Corps make their strategic retreat later that day -- that part I have just learned about. Bravo Buford and his Boys!
The final camera shot is clearly inspired by the The Death of Wolfe painting by Benjamin West. Nice touch for such a poignant moment.
Actually it's the painting they did of Reynolds, which itself was inspired by that painting as both were similar
@@rjbonacolta Up to and including the presence of Zouaves, who weren't at Gettysburg.
@@SarahB1863 there were ten regiments of them at the battle including the tenth New York which I believe were the ones here
145 years ago this morning, Major General John Fulton Reynolds is shot dead. May his memory live on.
Approaching 160 years now. Time is flying by
Still the best Civil War movie ever made ..... imho
🖖
i had an ancestor that was a sharpshooter in barksdales brigade. there were 1097 men that served in his regiment.... 75 were there at appomattox, my ancestor being 1 of them. out of his entire company (100 men not including officers) 8 survived the war
I agree with your assessment of Buford who was first to see the value of the terrain and vowed to hold it until I and XI Corps arrived. But then give credit for Reynolds for committing his infantry and artillery without hesitation to battle. Before he died he sent Meade a dispatch vowing to fight for every street if needed. "Good!" said Meade. "That is just like Reynolds!" Then finally Hancock and Warren for formally selecting the field in Meade's stead. And Meade for trusting their call.
But it was Meade who's order to keep the III corps in emmitsville where they bivouaked on the night of the 31st. A rider was told by Reynolds to bring up the third the morning of the 1st, but he waited until after 3pm because of the order from Meade.
It's probably been commented already, but the building used by Buford and the lookout he used as on the roof is still standing today and can be visited.
Excellent scene. The 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan regiments of volunteers plus 1 battery of Regular U.S. Army artillery. Go Badgers, Hoosiers and Wolverines!! Love the stirring of Hell on the Wabash (6:40) as Reynolds salutes the Iron Brigade marching into battle!!
You are correct except the Indiana men are called Hoosiers, not Hooters.
@johnhansen6723 oh my gawd...how did I miss that? Thanks!
24th Michigan!!!
The scenes involving Buford always remind me of the scenes in "The Longest Day" involving Richard Todd as Major John Howard ("Hold until relieved . . . hold until relieved"). In both films we see examples of two competent officers doing one of the worst jobs a line commander can face: being required to hold a position against unknown (and usually superior) opposition, and using only the resources you've brought with you.
Yes very good comparison. It is the toughest job for a commander. But they do it so professionally and without fear or hesitation
Another good comparison would be Colonel Frost at the Arnhem bridge in "A Bridge Too Far" except they weren't relieved.
Richard Todd was actually at "Pegasus " bridge in the early morning of 6 June. With the Ox & Bucks . He was one of the battalion's officers.
Talk about perfect casting.
great comparison
For once the Potomac Army had the right men at the right time. Buford saw the defensive possibility of Gettysburg's terrain and vowed to delay the Rebels until Frst Corps' arrrival. Then Reynolds acted without hesitation to fight for Gettysburg to hold that high ground. To Meade's credit, he gave Reynolds (then Hancock) authority to select the battlefield. Unlike Heth who "stumbled into this fight" a decisive Reynolds threw down the gauntlet leaving the Gettysburg battlefield as his legacy.
" They wouldn't leave " has got to be the greatest understatement. lol
My wife is frequently late. I always tell her that she needs to hurry to this place with all possible speed.
Do you ask her what goes, ma'am? Has she identified the enemy ?
@@beowulf1312 Ha ha, no. But I can only assume that she's been taking a grand ride around the entire Union Army with General Stuart, as she usually leaves me with no idea what's in front of me.
I was there for the 145th Anniversary of the Battle and Fought w/Vincents Bde!
Had a great time.
I stood at the sight where General Reynolds was hit! A Great leader and Pennsylvania Man!
General Buford is the MAN!!!
What great insight and understanding of terrain, troop movement and battle formations. HUZZAH for BUFORD!!!
Love how Gen. Lee is all like "Can you believe this guy?" when listening to Gen. Heth's report. At about 3:20 he already knows that things are messed up.
Lee was a dipshit at Gettysburg. He was too spoiled with Stonewall bailing is ass out.
Heth: "But I dunno what else we could've done!"
Lee: "*sighs* Things WILL get out of control, mr. Heth. That is why we have orders."
@@loonie5468
Heth was Lee’s younger cousin, and Lee was personally fond of him. He was one of only a few individuals that the formal Lee usually called by his first name ("Harry”). But on that occasion Lee was very angry with him. Lee’s reserved way of speaking (“ . . . MISTER HEATH . . . !!“) barely masked his feelings!
@@tenebroussapiens2800 Didn't Heath get captured by the Iron Brigade in the forest in real life? I know a high ranking general got captured.
The joint battle cry at 8:00 is absolutely glorious and menacing.
The scene of General Reynolds surrounded by his mourning men is a memorable composition. I've often wondered if this scene comes from a period painting, and the film maker's version is an homage.
That is what I think too.
The tableaux here mimics two famous paintings: Benjamin West's depiction of the death of James Wolfe at Quebec during the French and Indian War, and John Trumbull's similar depiction of the death of Richard Montgomery at Montreal during the Revolutionary War.
Either Don Troiani or Kuntsler. Think it's straight out of a Don Troiani painting. Google will tell you
It is based on a similar period painting, although the original depicts the death of a different general than Reynolds (cannot recall who atm).
The framing of that shot in the movie (and the immediately prior background movements setting up the scene) are exceptionally well done.
It's based off of Don Troiani's death of general Sedgwick, who was killed almost a year later at Spotsylvania court house.
Sam Elliott AWESOME n this roll. And the histories don’t talk about Buford enough- he died in December 1863 from pneumonia (I think)
This movie is one of the greatest of all time. "Gods and Generals" was terrible, of course, but "Gettysburg" is classic. What music! Acting, plot, all of it. I am so very thankful it was made.
wtf are you talking about? what a moran.
The extended version of Gods and General is better. Many reenactors are active military and could not participate in it because it was being made right after 9/11.
whats really great about this film is its a bunch of actors doing the speaking roles, but everyone else is an actual reenactor. The result is that most of the extras are practiced in drill, they are far more passionate about this than regular extras would be.
The only drawback is the combat is almost entirely bloodless. Not a terrible thing but noticeable.
This movie really was fantastic
Unfortunately TV channels don’t have the gumption to air this great movie again. The best history of the turning battle of our civil war. Great loss for the young generation not to see and understand why this war was fought.
Because it's 4 hours long. And who still watches cable?
@@danmorris8594I do because I have hundreds of channels to choose, plus streaming channels included for no extra cost, all for one price, and I can surf them all at my heart's content. This has been shown in the past and will probably show up again.
148 years ago and we must never forget what those men sacrificed and accomplished on those fields.
If a certain cannonball would have killed Hooker at Chancellorville, Reynolds would have taken command of the AoP and probably would have won the war by 63 at the latest.
He was a heck of a commander and the North really suffered for his loss.
He was offered command of the Army of the Potomac in June, 1863. Turned down the position.
I love a, 'what if..', scenario. I agree, Reynolds was the superior general to Meade. Equally, and also at Chancellorville, what if Jackson hadn't been killed and had been at Gettysburg on that first day instead of Euell?
@@christopherpeck9957 THAT is an interesting scenario....🤔😎
if McClellan was willing to finish his Peninsula campaign, the war would have ended earlier as well.
@@rjsamp4194he turned it down because at the time Lincoln was unwilling to protect his generals from Washington politics
starting at 7:08, the song fife and gun is my fav from the soundtrack, really goes well with the scene too
The song, "Hell on the Wabash Fife and Drum", evidently, was not played during the actual battle. One source said it was "The Cambells are coming".
Here a Fire & Fury wargamer from Spain. Gettysburg is my best film ever.
General Reynolds was a brave man. A true leader.
Even though it does get some of the history wrong, as do almost all movies, its hits the mark about 90% of the time. Well cast and edited so a Civil War novice can follow what's going on, probably the best Civil War movie ever made.
Same, been reading up on the Civil War extensively but even knowing this movies few or minor errors here and there, this has still been my fav Civil War movie since I was 8, and I don't expect that to change.
Lee might not have lost this battle if Stuart had been to hand. Lee had absolutely no intel, he was fighting blind.
And that was Lee's fault entirely. He gave Stuart two objectives for one force. Big no- no in military operations.
Only the Lee Apologist’s would think that
Stuart expected to ride around the Union Army like he did before. But he kept running into Union units which pushed him further and further away. He also insisted in bringing along a wagon train he had captured slowing him. And he also took time to burn Carlisle Barracks.
General Reynolds was indeed a helluva officer. Read his life story and what an admirable man.
There is a marker on the battlefield at the spot where General Reynolds was shot. Having seen this film and reading a good bit, it was not hard to visualize Reynolds there, with a wooded area nearby from where the Confederate soldier would have taken a bead on him. That spot is also close to the cupola where Buford would have been watching for Reynold's arrival earlier in the day.
The soundtrack for this movie is so perfect. That feeling of relief that Buford must’ve felt seeing Reynolds and his first corps flag.corps flag Is captured wonderfully by the music
I love that blue flag of the 1st Corp
A desperate struggle for the soul of the nation. Gettysburg is hallowed ground forever more.
@scottfisher352. Gettysburg is the most seminal battle this nation ever fought. Had The Confederacy prevailed America would not be the nation we are today. And the world would be a very different place.
I agree, though the resolve of both armies in the face of the brutality of the six-week overland campaign, with 80,000 killed and wounded, is on par.
Reynolds was a capable general so capable that Lincoln offered him command of the Army of the Potomac before he bestowed that command upon General Meade. Reynolds had he assumed overall command would not have placed himself so close to the fighting and would have survived and he would not have Lee escape as Meade did. Reynolds was far more aggressive a commander than Meade.
Heth was not only a friend but cousin to Lee--and he was indeed the only officer Lee addressed by first name, other than his sons. Explains Longstreet doing a double take toward the end when Lee addresses him by nickname.
What a nightmare. Standing in open field tactics in lines of men. You had to have balls of steel ❤
A shame the third film of the trilogy was never made. Excellent films.
I agree! A third movie would be awesome, but you'd have to get all new actors to play Chamberlain and most of the other characters. Martin Sheen could probably still play Lee.
This segment conveyed the desperation felt by both Union and Confederate armies in the initial engagements. Today it is easy to say that one commander or another should have done this or that. But at the time the Fog of War was never thicker.
My 3rd great grandfather Joseph Spigelmyer was a sharpshooter and cavalryman at Gettysburg. He was with Gen. Reynolds when he got shot and caught him when he fell.
From Mifflin County, Pennsylvania?
Sure the spelling wasn't Spiegelmeyer ?
@@AgentWD40x I had a chief named Spigelmyer who talked about this battle all the time.
If you ever get a chance to visit this battlefield, do it.
It happens to me in life sometimes, I think I’m up against “some dismounted cavalry” only to find out it’s the whole Union Army.
The display of the many CSA uniforms is excellent, cannons and weapons excellent
The Tune segment 6:41/8:56 is a excellent marching tune ! A almost haunting tune ! What's the name of it ??
My unit ( CSA ) was at the 135th event in 1998, we vacationed a full week before the event, The Best of Times !
It's so interesting how the formations arrive for the battle. Like, a large get together. Family cookout. Just showing up and being thrown into a dynamic and ever changing situation. A deadly situation. Always found that so interesting with battles. The anticipation of new formations showing up, going through the routine of bringing them up to speed, settling them in, getting them rested a little, finding a position for them to occupy or defend etc. A huge part of the war, for the everyday man, like as in a part of the day to day, socially. So interesting.
I personally know the actor who played Reynolds- John Rothman. He was in a lot of Woody Allen films, Sophie's Choice, many oter more minor roles in many films, and had a guest star on Law and Order. We had a pretty amazing encounter in 1967.
His brother Tom is one of the most influential men in America. He has been a studio head for decades and currently is head of Sony pictures
My ancestor was in the 13th Alabama at Gettysburg, fighting on day 1 & day 3. He was captured on day 3.
Not the artillery, wbaker7, it was the rifled musket. The old Brown Bess muskets were smoothbore and wasn't accurate much beyond 50 yards. The Springfields or Enfields used in the Civil War were rifled muskets and could kill at 300 yards. This was why Pickets Charge, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor and Kennesaw Mountain were such bloodbaths.
Dont forget about Franklin. That battle is so largely overlooked but more deadly than Gettysburg
This was awesome movie 🎬 I remember younger days watching it on TV.
The interesting thing is that Lee had actually hoped to catch the Union army strecthed out on the march, pounce on each piece with his entire united army and defeat it corps by corps. With Stuart MIA he couldn't set it up, but the situation on July 1 with the 3rd Corps attacking from the west and the 2nd from the north to engage first the 1st and then 11th corps (Union corps were smaller than Confederate ones) the situation was as he had hoped. He recognized that and attacked.
“That’s one helluva piece of soldiering”
One thing this shows very well is that, no matter how you slice it, the officers of the Army of the Potomac know exactly what they are doing here and why they want to do it. whereas Lee doesn't. They are able to control the situation, even when Lee outnumbers them initially, because they have a fairly accurate picture of the enemy disposition and their own, they know where and on what terms they want to fight Lee, and how to make it happen. I and XI Corps were able to delay the Confederates just long enough for the rest of the Army to come up and secure the superior ground that they had already chosen.
And yes, much of this clearly comes down to reconnaissance, but also to communication. If the rest of Meade's Army hadn't rushed in to support, if the orders got delayed, or if Meade decided to be more cautious, Doubleday and Howard would have been left holding the bag, and badly. So the Army is able to get great intelligence, creates a winning plan on the fly and then executes that plan perfectly.
Lee doesn't get very good intelligence and as a result is left guessing and then takes his enemy's bait, in a way almost for lack of a better plan. People are quick to blame Stuart, but really this isn't an issue with one single officer. It would have been Lee's job to make sure he had a cavalry arm that regarded it's job as being the Army's eyes and ears, and screening it from the enemy, which was what they were ultimately most needed for.
Lee definitely doesn't make sure that his Cavalry stays between him and where he thinks the enemy probably is. But that's exactly where the Union Cavalry is, and as a result, they are able to find most of Lee's army, keep tabs on their movement, and slow them down as much as possible; whereas Lee is left to rely on the sparse information from his Infantry commanders once they make contact.
7:10 Beautiful, haunting musical arrangement.
Thanks to the Iron Brigade for holding the line and gaining the Union a superb field advantage during the battle of Gettysburg!!!!
Let’s don’t forget Buford’s division for choosing the battlefield and develop the situation until MG Reynolds’ troops arrived. My family rode with BG Buford in COL Devin’s brigade. They were tough men serving under commanders who were just as tough.
Thank you Wisconsin!
Very good picture. I'm peruvian. Honor and glory to the soldiers of Gettysburg. Long live to the Virginians.
The song is named "Hell on the Wabash." It was written in honor of the Battle of Tippecanoe which occurred on Nov. 7, 1812. Chief Tecumseh led a surprise attack at dawn against U.S. forces under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, later a President, near the meeting of the Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers in Indiana. After a day long battle, Gen. Harrison's forces were victorious.
I think Tecumseh was absent from Tippecanoe and his brother, “The Prophet”, was in charge that day.
1st Corp rules! It had the Iron Brigade and a regiment from my Westmoreland County , PA ---the 11th PA. They have a splendid statue on Oak Ridge. At the base of the statue is Sallie, their mascot dog who lead them at every battle.. What a tragedy that Reynolds was killed. He was first rate.
Army of Northern Virginia forever!!!
Agree. The !st Corps. at Gettysburg on July 1 put up an amazing fight. The Iron Brigade's stand was a true epic...but one it sadly never recovered from.
I like how during this whole fiasco JEB Stuart was on a joyride around southern Pennsylvania. good job JEB
The most overrated Southern general in history. Successful early in the war when the North was still looking for decent cavalry commanders. Beaten by a number of Northern units, including one commanded by Custer, after Gettysburg, from which he was conspicuously absent.
He was a self absorbed, charlatan. Not the worst in the Confederacy, but always l👀ked out for his better interests.
General Buford was the architect of the Battle of Gettysburg
Such good acting in such a perfect, gripping, just all out wonderful film. Martin Sheen as General Lee is pure perfection. (Robert Duvall may look like Lee more, but Sheen inhabits the persona, the character, more superbly, I think). I like both the actors playing General Heath and and Gen Reynolds, all the casting in this movie is so perfect. Of course Sam Elliott is epic, and perhaps Stephen Lang being the most perfect casting of all of them..(Even John Diehl, c'mon such great casting bringing him into this)..Just such a superb movie in every way. Love every part of it. Even the musical score is great. I thought in Gods and Generals, the music was a little off...In this movie everything fits like a glove. So good.
Sheen was drunk and addicted to drugs at the time. His performance was dismal. His accent was a joke. Duval was so much better. Duval is also a horseman and a Virginian.
Sheen's accent is comical.
Wow, I think you're the only person who prefers the horrible Sheen over the magnificent Duvall. Sheen portrays Lee like a cartoon character. He's physically completely wrong for the part and can't ride a horse. Duvall is literally a trillion times superior.
Martin Sheen was horrible! His accent is horrible and his acting is weak.
@@lavern007 I still like him in this. I love Duvall in Lonesome Dove and The Eagle has landed.
@bigblondman1 Quick correction on the Zouaves part...the soldiers depicted in this scene are actually 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs. This is an easy mistake to make, as both wear red pants. The Zouave uniform is more baggy and features a vest with red piping and fez. The Chasseur, by contrast, wears straight wool slacks, a red kepi, and a Chasseur-style coat with 84 brass buttons and sewn-in vest. They were coined the "Red Legged Devils" by Stonewall Jackson after 1st Bull Run.
Go Iron Brigade, I finished reading the book about those men. A truly amazing fighting unit, it's a shame it was basically destroyed at Gettysburg.
What book?
They gave their all for the sake of our beloved Union
I really don't care what ever anybody else says about the 1st day. Buford was the hero for that day!
I think the writer and director did a very good job showing Lee reprimanding Heth in this scene in his typical gentle way... "Things will get out of control Mr Heth, this is why we have orders..." I agree to the much-heared saying, he was a perfect gentleman indeed.
A more severe reprimanding wouldnt have done Mr Heth injustice, thats for sure :)
Seeing the flag of general Reynolds make me feel emotional every time I see it. Such a moving moment.
Love the Iron Brigade!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for saving the United States.
It wasn’t worth saving; look at it now…the laughing stock of the world.
You can add 1st Minnesota to that thank you as well. On the 2nd day when the Union line was buckling with 2 brigades incoming they charged and kept the Confederates busy so reinforcements could pull up. The 82% casualty rate stands as the largest loss by any surviving U.S military unit in a single day's engagement ever. Most were lost in the first 5 minutes.
@@wrongtracksuitrest of the world speaking. You WERE a laughing stock with that filthy cretin Trump in charge, but your government isn't despised any more.
Internationally, the US commands some respect again.
'Well, sisir they wouldn't leave'
The story of the next 3 days
He thought he saw a breach in the Union line in that vicinity late on July 2. And that was just with a few brigades. He felt that if ge could hit that same spot with a mass attack and link up with Stuart's cavalry on the other side he had a chance to burst the Union lines wide open. The problem was he never gave Meade the credit for seeing that same breach and addressing it, as he did. He in fact read Lee right, telling Gibbon in the center that he would bear the next assault on July 3.
Been watching this movie for 30 years. Every time I watch it, I still expect that courier at 0:05 to get blasted off his horse with that cannon shot.
Best scene in the whole movie, those reenactors swinging out into line of battle acted exactly as the original Black Hats would have done!! A lot of pride there.
I'll go further into saying that while England liked Southern cotton, at the time of the Civil War, what they NEEDED was Northern wheat. The North was able, through advances in farming machinery able to feed itself and supply Britain. That was another factor in play when England was considering interfereing in the Civil War.
Wbaker7, if you are able to find it, bring home a copy of Bruce Catton's "American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War" it'll get you up to speed on the Civil War.
John Reynolds was widely recognized as the best Union general in the Army of the Potomac and a fine rider. He declined the position that Gen. Meade took basically because he didn't want Washington DC on his back. He died at Gettysburg in his home state defending the Union. God Bless his Memory
The Iron Brigade's stand on McPherson and then Seminary Ridge was a true epic...but one from which they would never recover so heavy were their losses.
As one Reb soldier supposedly muttered when he saw them deploying: "'Taint no militia. It's them damned black-hatted fellows again!"
They earned their lofty position that day: 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps.
When Lee calls you “General”: you’re ok
When Lee calls you “Mister”: you’re in hot water