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High Tide at Gettysburg

bdtex

Administrator
Staff member
As the sun begins to set over the lush Pennsylvania countryside the smell of violence permeates the air. Two Confederate Brigades, under the command of General Henry Heth, have been held to a stalemate by the Union Cavalry of General John Buford. Caught by surprise, the Yankee soldiers rallied and threw themselves into the fray and held the line until General Reynolds could arrive with reinforcements.
At least a thousand men are lying dead or wounded on the soft green fields outside Gettysburg. General Reynolds is killed and General Winfield Hancock, on the orders of General Meade, has taken overall command of the Union Army at Cemetery Hill and along Cemetery Ridge.
At the end of the day Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia is arriving on Seminary Ridge and consolidating its position. In the morning, Thursday the 2nd of July, hell would break loose and by Friday, the 3rd. Lee's dream of forcing Abraham Lincoln to sue for peace, was dead, along with 10-12,000 men on both sides..
I was there….149 years ago.

http://adventures-in-time.blogspot.com/2007/12/adventures-in-time-gettysburg.html

Jack Dallas

The High Tide at Gettysburg
Will Henry Thompson is the author of this poem. He took part in Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. He also served in the Fourth Georgia. His poem, " The High Tide at Gettysburg," describes the battle at Gettysburg from the perspective of a Southern soldier.

A cloud possessed the hollow field,
The gathering battle's smoky shield:
Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed,
And through the cloud some horsemen dashed,
And from the heights the thunder pealed.

Then, at the brief command of Lee,
Moved out that matchless infantry,
With Pickett leading grandly down,
To rush against the roaring crown
Of those dread heights of destiny.

Far heard above the angry guns
A cry across the tumult runs,--
The voice that rang from Shilo's woods
And Chickamauga's solitudes,
The fierce South cheering on her sons!

Ah, how the withering tempest blew
Against the front of Pettigrew!
A Khamsin wind that scorched and singed
Like that infernal flame that fringed
The British squares at Waterloo!

A thousand fell where Kemper led;
A thousand died where Garnett bled:
In blinding flame and strangling smoke
Their remnant through the batteries broke
And crossed the works with Armistead.

"Once more in Glory's van with me!"
Virginia cried to Tennessee;
"We two together, come what may,
Shall stand upon these works to-day!"
(The reddest day in history.)

Brave Tennessee! In reckless way
Virginia heard her comrade say:
"Close round this rent and riddled rag!"
What time she set her battle-flag
Amid the guns of Doubleday.

But who shall break the guards that wait
Before the awful face of Fate?
The tattered standards of the South
Were shriveled at the cannon's mouth,
And all her hopes were desolate.

In vain the Tennessean set
His breast against the bayonet;
In vain Virginia charged and raged,
A tigress in her wrath uncaged,
Till all the hill was red and wet!

Above the bayonets, mixed and crossed,
Men saw a gray, gigantic ghost
Receding through the battle-cloud,
And heard across the tempset loud
The death-cry of a nation lost!

The brave went down! Without disgrace
They leaped to Ruin's red embrace;
They heard Fame's thunders wake,
And saw the dazzling sun-burst break
In smiles on Glory's bloody face!

They fell, who lifted up a hand
And bade the sun in heaven to stand;
They smote and fell, who set the bars
Against the progress of the stars,
And stayed the march of Motherland!

They stood, who saw the future come
On through the fight's delirium;
They smote and stood, who held the hope
Of nations on that slippery slope
Amid the cheers of Christendom.

God lives! He forged the iron will
That clutched and held that trembling hill!
God lives and reigns! He built and lent
The heights for freedom's battlement
Where floats her flag in triumph still!

Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns!
Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs.
A mighty mother turns in tears
The pages of her battle years,
Lamenting all her fallen sons!
Where are you Jack? The fight is underway.
 

bdtex

Administrator
Staff member
As the sun begins to set over the lush Pennsylvania countryside the smell of violence permeates the air. Two Confederate Brigades, under the command of General Henry Heth, have been held to a stalemate by the Union Cavalry of General John Buford. Caught by surprise, the Yankee soldiers rallied and threw themselves into the fray and held the line until General Reynolds could arrive with reinforcements.
At least a thousand men are lying dead or wounded on the soft green fields outside Gettysburg. General Reynolds is killed and General Winfield Hancock, on the orders of General Meade, has taken overall command of the Union Army at Cemetery Hill and along Cemetery Ridge.
At the end of the day Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia is arriving on Seminary Ridge and consolidating its position. In the morning, Thursday the 2nd of July, hell would break loose and by Friday, the 3rd. Lee's dream of forcing Abraham Lincoln to sue for peace, was dead, along with 10-12,000 men on both sides..
I was there….149 years ago.

http://adventures-in-time.blogspot.com/2007/12/adventures-in-time-gettysburg.html

Jack Dallas

The High Tide at Gettysburg
Will Henry Thompson is the author of this poem. He took part in Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. He also served in the Fourth Georgia. His poem, " The High Tide at Gettysburg," describes the battle at Gettysburg from the perspective of a Southern soldier.

A cloud possessed the hollow field,
The gathering battle's smoky shield:
Athwart the gloom the lightning flashed,
And through the cloud some horsemen dashed,
And from the heights the thunder pealed.

Then, at the brief command of Lee,
Moved out that matchless infantry,
With Pickett leading grandly down,
To rush against the roaring crown
Of those dread heights of destiny.

Far heard above the angry guns
A cry across the tumult runs,--
The voice that rang from Shilo's woods
And Chickamauga's solitudes,
The fierce South cheering on her sons!

Ah, how the withering tempest blew
Against the front of Pettigrew!
A Khamsin wind that scorched and singed
Like that infernal flame that fringed
The British squares at Waterloo!

A thousand fell where Kemper led;
A thousand died where Garnett bled:
In blinding flame and strangling smoke
Their remnant through the batteries broke
And crossed the works with Armistead.

"Once more in Glory's van with me!"
Virginia cried to Tennessee;
"We two together, come what may,
Shall stand upon these works to-day!"
(The reddest day in history.)

Brave Tennessee! In reckless way
Virginia heard her comrade say:
"Close round this rent and riddled rag!"
What time she set her battle-flag
Amid the guns of Doubleday.

But who shall break the guards that wait
Before the awful face of Fate?
The tattered standards of the South
Were shriveled at the cannon's mouth,
And all her hopes were desolate.

In vain the Tennessean set
His breast against the bayonet;
In vain Virginia charged and raged,
A tigress in her wrath uncaged,
Till all the hill was red and wet!

Above the bayonets, mixed and crossed,
Men saw a gray, gigantic ghost
Receding through the battle-cloud,
And heard across the tempset loud
The death-cry of a nation lost!

The brave went down! Without disgrace
They leaped to Ruin's red embrace;
They heard Fame's thunders wake,
And saw the dazzling sun-burst break
In smiles on Glory's bloody face!

They fell, who lifted up a hand
And bade the sun in heaven to stand;
They smote and fell, who set the bars
Against the progress of the stars,
And stayed the march of Motherland!

They stood, who saw the future come
On through the fight's delirium;
They smote and stood, who held the hope
Of nations on that slippery slope
Amid the cheers of Christendom.

God lives! He forged the iron will
That clutched and held that trembling hill!
God lives and reigns! He built and lent
The heights for freedom's battlement
Where floats her flag in triumph still!

Fold up the banners! Smelt the guns!
Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs.
A mighty mother turns in tears
The pages of her battle years,
Lamenting all her fallen sons!
Heard a great speaker last week at the September meeting of The Houston Civil War Roundtable. The speaker was Wayne Motts who has been a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide for 30 years. The topic was Pickett's Charge. Learned a few things new to me.
 

JackDallas

Senator
Supporting Member
Heard a great speaker last week at the September meeting of The Houston Civil War Roundtable. The speaker was Wayne Motts who has been a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide for 30 years. The topic was Pickett's Charge. Learned a few things new to me.
We used to have a Roundtable in Dallas, and I went to every one; but 4 years ago I moved out to the suburbs and it's just too far to go because I'd have to drive it in traffic hours.
I've been to Gettysburg and walked out across that field where Pickett's men made that charge. Nobody was shooting at me, of course.
 

bdtex

Administrator
Staff member
We used to have a Roundtable in Dallas, and I went to every one; but 4 years ago I moved out to the suburbs and it's just too far to go because I'd have to drive it in traffic hours.
I've been to Gettysburg and walked out across that field where Pickett's men made that charge. Nobody was shooting at me, of course.
There will be some folks walking that field today.
 

Sunset Rose

Mayor
Supporting Member
Not if we get rid of Obama and keep the Democrats out of power for a couple of generrations. America will come to its senses.
Obama is now out of office and the Republicans control both houses of Congress. There is still lots of civil unrest. Guess it wasn't Obama's fault after all.
Of course, the current President is not helping things is he?
 

Sunset Rose

Mayor
Supporting Member
Very nice. Had an opportunity to go on a guided tour this September of the Confederate retreat route out of Gettysburg but had to pass on it because of other travel plans. I will get to meet and hear the guide speak at a Round Table meeting early next year.
Bdtex, I heard that the Battle of Gettysberg is what tipped the war in the Union's favor. Do you believe that? I used to date a guy in high school who said that the South was winning the Civil War for a long time, really whipping the North's butt. He was a know-it-all, so I didn't believe him. Now that I've studied the Civil War a little, I think he was right.
 

trapdoor

Governor
Bdtex, I heard that the Battle of Gettysberg is what tipped the war in the Union's favor. Do you believe that? I used to date a guy in high school who said that the South was winning the Civil War for a long time, really whipping the North's butt. He was a know-it-all, so I didn't believe him. Now that I've studied the Civil War a little, I think he was right.
I'm not certain what BDtex will say. I will say that the South had the better generals and tactics, and that showed up in victories on the battlefield while they were also able to supply themselves with troops, food and ammo. The logistics end of the equation began to unwind in 1863, as the blockade became increasingly effective and CSA diplomatic efforts failed to find foothold with the British or French.

Gettysburg is indeed a milestone in the war -- it and Vicksburg happened within a few days of each other and those two Confederate defeats may have kept England from recognizing the South diplomatically. And they're a turning point because at no time after July of 1863 was the South able to mount a major invasion of the North (the various cavalry raids and Jubal Early's 1864 campaign were not engagements of full armies). For the South, the war was winnable before Gettysburg, but not winnable after.

It's one reason so many contra-histories begin with the South winning at Gettysburg. A victory there was clearly possible, and the follow-on to a Confederate victory at Gettysburg leads to numerous outcomes that, both strategic and political, could literally have changed history. Minor differences and minor decisions lead to major changes. Endlessly interesting to some folks, and boring excess to others :)
 

Sunset Rose

Mayor
Supporting Member
I'm not certain what BDtex will say. I will say that the South had the better generals and tactics, and that showed up in victories on the battlefield while they were also able to supply themselves with troops, food and ammo. The logistics end of the equation began to unwind in 1863, as the blockade became increasingly effective and CSA diplomatic efforts failed to find foothold with the British or French.

Gettysburg is indeed a milestone in the war -- it and Vicksburg happened within a few days of each other and those two Confederate defeats may have kept England from recognizing the South diplomatically. And they're a turning point because at no time after July of 1863 was the South able to mount a major invasion of the North (the various cavalry raids and Jubal Early's 1864 campaign were not engagements of full armies). For the South, the war was winnable before Gettysburg, but not winnable after.

It's one reason so many contra-histories begin with the South winning at Gettysburg. A victory there was clearly possible, and the follow-on to a Confederate victory at Gettysburg leads to numerous outcomes that, both strategic and political, could literally have changed history. Minor differences and minor decisions lead to major changes. Endlessly interesting to some folks, and boring excess to others :)
I agree with you, Trapdoor. Based on what I've read and the videos I've seen you are completely right. I think Lincoln knew the South had a good chance of winning that war too. I think it scared him. Have you ever noticed the pictures of Lincoln at the beginning of the Civil War compared to the pictures of him at the end of it? Looks like he aged 20 years in the space of 4 years.
 

trapdoor

Governor
I agree with you, Trapdoor. Based on what I've read and the videos I've seen you are completely right. I think Lincoln knew the South had a good chance of winning that war too. I think it scared him. Have you ever noticed the pictures of Lincoln at the beginning of the Civil War compared to the pictures of him at the end of it? Looks like he aged 20 years in the space of 4 years.
Lincoln probably suffered from actual, clinical depression. That, plus the stress of the war, were huge burdens. I agree he aged visibly far more rapidly than someone without those stressors would have over that five-year span.
 

bdtex

Administrator
Staff member
Bdtex, I heard that the Battle of Gettysberg is what tipped the war in the Union's favor. Do you believe that? I used to date a guy in high school who said that the South was winning the Civil War for a long time, really whipping the North's butt. He was a know-it-all, so I didn't believe him. Now that I've studied the Civil War a little, I think he was right.
No question that Gettysburg was a major battle and the Army Of Northern Virginia could not afford all the losses it had there.. The more I study the war though,the more I think Union victories in Tennessee in 1862 and the capture of New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River in 1862 sealed the fate of the Confederacy. That doesn't get a lot of attention because Gen. Robert E. Lee,Gen. Thomas Jackson and Gen. Jeb Stuart weren't there.
 

JackDallas

Senator
Supporting Member
Obama is now out of office and the Republicans control both houses of Congress. There is still lots of civil unrest. Guess it wasn't Obama's fault after all.
Of course, the current President is not helping things is he?
Are blind AND deaf? It absolutely is Obama's fault. He's still doing his dead level best to undermine our president and stir up racial turmoil.
It's the Democrats rioting, destroying people's property and attacking innocent people. ANTIFA (Anti-First Amendment) thugs are trying to spread terror in the streets.
 

JackDallas

Senator
Supporting Member
No question that Gettysburg was a major battle and the Army Of Northern Virginia could not afford all the losses it had there.. The more I study the war though,the more I think Union victories in Tennessee in 1862 and the capture of New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River in 1862 sealed the fate of the Confederacy. That doesn't get a lot of attention because Gen. Robert E. Lee,Gen. Thomas Jackson and Gen. Jeb Stuart weren't there.
The south never had a chance of winning that war. When they fired on Fort Sumter, they sealed their doom. The union was just too heavily populated and had the greater ability to produce weapons and munitions of war, more trains, more train tracks, more ships and more money. The South won a lot of battles early on but they had no bench. They couldn't replace the manpower lost.
 

Sunset Rose

Mayor
Supporting Member
Are blind AND deaf? It absolutely is Obama's fault. He's still doing his dead level best to undermine our president and stir up racial turmoil.
It's the Democrats rioting, destroying people's property and attacking innocent people. ANTIFA (Anti-First Amendment) thugs are trying to spread terror in the streets.
Does Obama control Antifa? How do you know the political affiliation of the the people "rioting, destroying people's property and attacking innocent people?"
Trump is doing a fine job of undermining himself. He needs no help from anybody.
 
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