Pickett's Charge

Pickett's Charge. The infamous assault took place during the American Civil War, specifically on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, and was led by Confederate States Army General George Pickett under the command of General Robert E. Lee. This pivotal event involved over 12,000 Confederate soldiers, including troops from Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and was supported by General James Longstreet and General A.P. Hill. The charge was a desperate attempt to break through the Union lines, held by General George Meade and his Army of the Potomac, which included units from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

Introduction

Pickett's Charge was a defining moment in the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War that saw the Confederate States Army suffer heavy losses at the hands of the Union Army. The charge was preceded by a massive artillery bombardment by the Confederate forces, which included guns from the Washington Artillery and the Alexander's Battalion, in an attempt to weaken the Union defenses, held by General Winfield Scott Hancock and his II Corps. The Union lines, however, remained strong, with troops from the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment and the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment playing key roles in repelling the Confederate advance. The charge was also witnessed by notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman, who would later go on to play important roles in the War of the Rebellion.

Background

The Battle of Gettysburg was a culmination of the Gettysburg Campaign, which saw the Confederate States Army launch an invasion of the North, led by General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia. The Confederate army had won several key victories, including the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Fredericksburg, but suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Antietam. The Union Army, led by General George Meade and his Army of the Potomac, had been pursuing the Confederate forces, and the two armies clashed on the outskirts of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, near the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War, with the Union victory marking a turning point in the conflict, and was followed by other key battles such as the Battle of Vicksburg and the Battle of Chattanooga.

The Charge

The charge itself was a massive infantry assault led by General George Pickett and his Pickett's Division, which included troops from the 9th Virginia Infantry and the 53rd Virginia Infantry. The Confederate forces advanced across open fields, including the Emmitsburg Road and the Chambersburg Pike, in an attempt to break through the Union lines, held by General John Gibbon and his Iron Brigade. The Union artillery, which included guns from the 1st New York Light Artillery and the 4th United States Artillery, unleashed a devastating barrage on the advancing Confederate troops, causing heavy casualties, including the death of General Lewis Armistead. The Confederate forces were also supported by General Jeb Stuart and his cavalry corps, which included units from the 1st Virginia Cavalry and the 3rd Virginia Cavalry.

Aftermath

The aftermath of Pickett's Charge was devastating for the Confederate States Army, with over 50% of the troops involved in the charge killed or wounded, including General Richard Garnett and General James Kemper. The Union Army suffered significant losses as well, but the Confederate defeat marked a turning point in the American Civil War, with the Gettysburg Address delivered by Abraham Lincoln just a few months later. The Battle of Gettysburg was followed by other key battles, including the Battle of Wilderness and the Battle of Appomattox Court House, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Confederate States Army and the end of the American Civil War. The charge also had a significant impact on the careers of notable figures such as General Ulysses S. Grant and General William Tecumseh Sherman, who would later go on to play important roles in the Reconstruction Era.

Significance

Pickett's Charge is widely regarded as one of the most significant events in the American Civil War, marking a turning point in the conflict and a decisive victory for the Union Army. The charge has been the subject of numerous historical accounts, including works by Shelby Foote and James McPherson, and has been commemorated in various forms, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Pickett's Charge Museum. The charge has also been the subject of numerous artistic depictions, including works by Mathew Brady and Thomas Nast, and has been referenced in popular culture, including in works such as The Blue and the Gray and Gettysburg (film). The charge remains an important part of American history, with its legacy continuing to be felt today, and is remembered as a pivotal moment in the War Between the States. Category:American Civil War battles