The Third Day--July 3, 1863

Lee then encountered General Pickett who was looking anguished. Lee told him that he must reform his men and prepare for a Union attack. "General Pickett", Lee said, "You must look after your division", to which Pickett replied, "General Lee,.....I have no division."

The Battle of Gettysburg was over. The Union army had prevailed and held off the main body of the Confederate army and saved the Union from defeat. They remained in a defensive posture and did not pursue a counterattack. That evening, Lee ordered Ewell's division to withdraw from the Devil's Den area and concentrate for a possible attack from the Union the next day. He then decided to withdraw his entire army and march back to Virginia to fight another day. Lee had lost about one-third of his 75,000 men, about 25,000, only leaving some 50,000 effective troops which included many slightly wounded who were not taken prisoner by the Union, and who could still fight if need be.

Around noon on Saturday July 4, it started to rain. By late afternoon it was a terrible downpour, converting the roads into mud holes and running streams. It became difficult to load and move wagons with wounded who were unable to walk, many were left behind. So began Lee's march back to Virginia. By that night, the Confederates were well on their way, taking about 4,000 Union prisoners with them.

It was late in the day of Sunday July 5 before Meade finally became convinced that Lee's army had withdrawn. He then sent a cavalry brigade to follow the Confederates heading for Chambersburg, and sent more troops down the Fairfield road to establish contact with the enemy main body already many miles ahead. The Union army marched slowly south keeping east of the mountain range, but without starting soon enough or moving fast enough to overtake Lee. Meade, himself, did not leave Gettysburg until July 7. The Union army finally turned west at Frederick Maryland, and in due course found the Confederates in a defensive position near Williamsport Maryland waiting for the swollen Potomac River to subside. On July 13, ten days after the battle of Gettysburg, Lee and his army crossed the river virtually untouched.

President Lincoln was anguished over Meade's failure to pursue and attack Lee promptly and vigorously after the battle, when the opportunity appeared at hand to destroy the Confederate army either on the march, or when trapped north of the Potomac by the high water. On July 14, Lincoln wrote a letter to Meade which on second thought he did not send. The gist of the letter was this:

"I do not believe you appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee's escape. He was within your easy grasp and to have closed upon him would have ended the war."

In the 3 days of fighting in and around the town of Gettysburg, losses from both armies exceeded more than 50,000.

This would be the most costly, bloodiest fighting ever in American history.

This was JULY 1863. The war would last until April 1865, nearly 2 more years later.

Lee's view from Seminary Ridge looking east across the field at Cemetery Ridge and the clump of trees in center background.

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Day Three

Friday July 3, 1863

Jennie Wade:

A tragic story

The sun rose strong and hot on Friday July 3. Lee had spent much of the night at his headquarters, along the Chambersburg Pike, a few hundred yards north of the Seminary, planning an attack. Despite the poor results of the second day's fighting, the army was still determined and still full of fight.

Lee's H.Q.

Above - 1863

Left / Right

2002

Recognizing that his corps commanders on the previous two days failed to take advantage of favorable battlefield situations, Lee remained confident and was determined to push the fight to a conclusion. His only other choice was to withdraw, since he could not live off the country indefinitely and realized that his line of supply to Virginia might be cut off at any time. His estimate of the situation was incorrect in several respects. He reasoned that the Union army's morale was low and weak from its' near disaster on the previous two days, but this was not the case. Lee believed that Meade had been forced to weaken his right and center in reinforcing and defending Longstreet's attack on the left at the Round Tops, from which it would appear that the Union center was vulnerable. There, Lee thought that Meade's back could be broken and the battle won. Although Lee expressed an appreciation of Meade's capabilities, he expected Meade to do as his predecessors had done, find excuses for giving up the fight when the pressure was on. Lee did not realize that the entire Union army had arrived the night before, and that morning, to give Meade a 20,000 man advantage in combat strength despite heavier losses, or that 25,000 troops had not yet been seriously engaged. The most important thing was that the Union morale had recovered, and was now very high.

Lee's plan for the day was basically a continuation of the second days' attack, with modifications. Lee had attempted without success to hit Meade's right flank, then his left. Believing that the Union line must be weak somewhere, he decided in what he thought was a conclusive effort that Longstreet should make a massive assault on the Union center while Ewell would continue to attack Meade's right flank along Culp's Hill. General Stuart's cavalry division had finally arrived. His part would be to circle east of the town to cover the Confederate left flank and prepare to attack after the expected infantry breakthrough at the Union center. Lee wanted to begin the attack in "the early gray of the morning", but once again, for the third straight day, his plans would fall apart.

Maj. General Edward A. Johnson

CSA

During the night General Ewell had sent three additional brigades to Johnson's division to support the attack on Culp's Hill, but Meade overnight had repositioned more artillery support to the troops already there. To cover the front of the Union center, where Meade expected Lee's main attack, the Union guns were sited to provide powerful overhead crossfire, and at the same time the firing positions were strengthened on all the prominent elevations from which fire could be directed against a probable attack on Culp's Hill.

At 4:30 A.M. the Union guns along the Baltimore road opened heavily on Johnson's position. To escape the punishing bombardment, Johnson's infantry was forced to advance, only to run into the reinforced Union troops who were eager to recover its' own ground taken by the Confederates. The third days' battles had begun.

Union guns positioned facing east towards Culp's Hill along the Baltimore road on Cemetery Hill.

The Confederates attacked repeatedly, each time being driven back by the determined Union force. So terrific was the Union artillery and musket fire that the foliage of the thick forest on Culp's Hill was stripped off as though by a hurricane. Some of the trees were found to have 200 or more bullets in them.

For seven hours the battle raged on around Culp's Hill and Spangler's Spring, until around 11 A.M. when the Confederates having sustained heavy losses and gaining no ground, finally withdrew, leaving a carpet of dead and wounded in front of the Union trenches. The first round of the third day was over with the Union in full possession of Culp's Hill and the right flank solid and anchored. The Union rear was no longer in jeopardy, and the road to Baltimore was secure in Union hands.

During that early morning General Lee rode out to meet with Longstreet and make sure that he would promptly carry out the attack order he had given him the night before. They rode along Seminary ridge observing the Union positions opposite. His eye fell upon a section of the Union front which looked particularly suited, a 650 yard wide stretch of almost bare ridge crowned by a prominent copse of trees, just at the north end of Cemetery Ridge before it rose to the higher ground of Cemetery Hill. There were about 1,300 yards between his skirmish line along the foot of Seminary Ridge and the Union front. Most of this was level, open fields crossed by the Emmitsburg road and uncluttered save for a few farm buildings and fences.

Lee personally pointed to the clump of trees on the opposing ridge, now occupied by Hancock's 2nd corps, and directed that Longstreet's infantry divisions advance toward that point. Longstreet vigorously expressed his opposition to the plan. He renewed his argument with Lee about attacking around to the south and left flank of the Union. He went so far as to tell Lee that his plan to attack the center would fail, and dangerously expose his men to enemy gun fire as they crossed the open field. He pleaded with Lee that Union cannon from the surrounding hills and the enemy infantry musket fire would rain down on them as they marched out into the open. Once again, Lee would hear none of it, and would not be moved thinking the Union center was weak and could be broken by a massive frontal assault. Lee did make one concession to Longstreet's insistence that he could not safely disengage his own two divisions from their present positions at Devil's Den, the Wheatfield and Peach Orchard. Lee substituted two of A.P. Hill's divisions for the attack with Longstreet in command.

Maj. General George E. Pickett

CSA

The attack would be commanded by Major General George Pickett, for whom this infamous battle was named: Pickett's Charge.

Pickett's division, plus elements from all three of A.P. Hill's divisions, more than 13,000 men in all, would make the assault. The infantry advance from Seminary Ridge would be preceded by a massive artillery bombardment aimed chiefly at the Union guns on Cemetery Hill. When hopefully they had cleared the Union guns from the ridge, Pickett's attack was to begin.

Preparations for the attack took much longer than Lee expected, and Longstreet seemingly reluctant, made no effort to speed things up. Around 1:07 P.M. two Confederate guns near the Peach Orchard sounded off to give the signal for the bombardment to begin. All at once, about 140 Confederate cannon, opened fire along a two-mile line on Seminary Ridge.

Confederate cannon view on Seminary Ridge looking east towards Cemetery Ridge

Confederate cannons along Seminary Ridge

More Confederate cannon on Seminary Ridge looking east towards Cemetery Ridge

As by reflex, about 80 Union cannon returned fire to initiate the most stupendous artillery duel ever witnessed on the American continent. The sound could be heard for more than thirty miles in all directions. The battlefield quickly filled with smoke and dust, through which little could be seen but small flashes from the cannon muzzles and the exploding shells that tore into men and horses on the opposite ridges. Meade's headquarters, several hundred yards behind the clump of trees, was endangered by many of the Confederate shells that overshot the ridge. Heavy losses were taken by units of the Union reserve artillery, supply and ammunition trains, and the medical service. But the front line troops of Hancock's corps suffered little damage, with most of the shells clearing the forward slope of the ridge where the men lay on their arms awaiting the certain infantry attack.

Colonel Edward P. Alexander

CSA

Confederate view from the Emmitsburg road (fence visible in extreme foreground) looking toward the clump of trees on Cemetery Ridge. This was approx. 3/4 of the way across the field. The clump of trees on the right is where Lee pointed to as the focal point of the attack, and where General Kemper attacked. In the center between the trees is where General Garnett attacked. The smaller tree to the left of center is where "The Angle" is in the stone wall which runs between the two tree lines, and where General Armistead attacked. This view was the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy" and the center of the Union line occupied mostly by the 2nd Corps under General Hancock. Thousands of Union soldiers and Artillery lined up all along this stone wall as far as you can see from left to right.

By the time the Confederates reached this point, thousands had been killed or wounded,

and hundreds more would fall between here and the stone wall.

Confederate view from the Emmitsburg road looking directly at

"The Angle". This was the direct path that General Armistead took that made it through the Union line to cross the stone wall.

Brig. General James L. Kemper

CSA

Brig. General Richard B. Garnett

CSA

Brig. General Lewis A. Armistead

CSA

For over two hours the artillery duel continued without pause. Then, the Union artillery commander ordered his guns to cease firing to let the guns cool, and to conserve and restock ammunition and reposition for the assault. On the Confederate side, artillery ammunition was running out quickly. For that reason, and also because they observed that 18 Union guns were being withdrawn, Col. Alexander, in command of the Confederate artillery, sent a message to Pickett saying, "for God's sake, come quick, the eighteen guns are gone. Unless you advance quick, my ammunition won't let me support you properly". Pickett then rode up to Longstreet, saluted and asked, "General shall I advance? Shall I commence the attack?" Unwilling to take the responsibility of ordering what he felt would be certain death for thousands of Pickett's men, Longstreet averted his eyes and barely nodded. That was enough for Pickett to ride to the center of his line and give the command to march.

As the long lines of Confederates moved out from the protection of the woods along Seminary Ridge, a sudden dramatic hush fell on the battlefield. In three lines the Rebs marched forward, over 13,000 men bravely marching into the open field toward the Emmitsburg road. The Union guns of the 2nd Corps held their fire because they had only canister at their guns and could not fire effectively until the Confederates were much closer. The Confederate guns ceased fire to allow their troops to march out. Nearly 1 mile they had to march in the open to reach the Union line. The Union guns on Little Round Top and Cemetery Hill opened fire at once. As the Rebs neared the Emmitsburg road and crossed fences on both sides, the rest of the Union cannon unleashed a fury of death down upon them. Deadly canister fire containing metal fragments and balls tore through their ranks, killing and wounding hundreds. Shells exploding in the long lines, killing many more, ripped open huge gaps in the line, which were quickly plugged by more brave soldiers. The Confederates kept coming, marching towards the clump of trees on the opposing ridge, they kept coming, dropping by the hundreds from the deadly cannon fire directly on them, they kept coming.

Longstreet watched in horror. What he had argued with Lee was coming true. He had been right, it was sheer suicide. The Rebs were unfaltered in their march regardless of their losses. Bravely and gallantly they marched across the deadly open space.

The worst was yet to come...

Painting by the French military artist Paul Philippoteaux, of Pickett's Charge, coming across the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge. Painting is found in the Cyclorama Building at the Gettysburg Military Park. The actual painting measures 360 feet in circumference and is 27 feet high.

Confederate Generals Kemper, Garnett, and Armistead of Pickett's division, were the main body of the attack. Kemper and Garnett did not reach the stone wall. Kemper was seriously wounded and taken prisoner, Garnett was killed, not more than 20 yards from the stone wall, while riding on horseback. On the other side of the Emmitsburg road the troops went to the "quick step", to close more rapidly. As they drew closer to the stone wall, General Armistead ordered the "double step", which was basically a flat out running charge. Armistead placed his hat on his sword, so that his men could see him and to rally the troops, led the charge to the stone wall.

Watching from Cemetery Ridge and holding their fire until the enemy were within effective range, Hancock's infantrymen paid silent, grim tribute to the magnificent courage of the Confederates as they marched steadily forward, their lines being ripped apart from the massive bombardment of Union cannon. Only a few hundred Confederates were left when they closed in on the stone wall. The Union infantry opened up with a fierce and deadly fire. The Rebs pushed on to the wall, breaking the Union line briefly. General Armistead came over the wall with his men at a spot which is known as "The Angle", where a sharp turn in the wall is. This advance would come to be known as "The High Water Mark of the Confederacy", meaning, that this was the high point of the Confederate attack, and probably the entire war. Union reserve units came forward to join the retreating front line, and slaughtered the Confederate push, killing or capturing hundreds.

Union view from behind the stone wall looking west across the Confederate field. Cars visible on the Emmitsburg road. Clearing at base of tree line in far background is where Lee rode out to console his troops after the battle. This spot is near where General Armistead fell mortally wounded.

Union cannons on Cemetery Ridge facing west towards Seminary Ridge. Just to the left of this camera position is where General Armistead fell.

Same shot as above, only a little closer to the stone wall.

View standing on the stone wall. Path cut in grass to the right is Armistead's path to "The Angle"

View standing on the stone wall at "The Angle". Corner of tree on the right, at "The Angle" is visible

Union cannon position from behind "The Angle", which is the tree to the right of the monument

View from behind and to the right of "The Angle".

You can see the sharp turn in the stone wall making a square angle at far right of picture.

Union view just north of the "clump of trees"

on Cemetery Ridge.

Tablet directly in front of "The Angle" on the Confederate side of the stone wall. It reads:

"General Armistead and a few Confederate soldiers charged across this wall, reached the Union cannon behind it and were soon overwhelmed."

"The Angle"

Union side of stone wall.

Closer view of "The Angle"

The tablet in the above photo is directly behind and below this tree. Pathway cut in grass is Armistead's path

This view is taken starting from "The Angle" looking southwards along the stone wall. The entire shot shows Cemetery Ridge and the Union line of the fish hook shank all the way to the Round Tops in far background center, with Little Round Top to the left and Big Round Top to the right. On the annual "Remembrance Day" celebration every November, it is at this spot where the Soldier Reenactors of North and South come together to shake hands across the wall in peace and friendship to conclude the Ceremony.

Monument directly in front of the "clump of trees" on the Union side, in honor of the High Water Mark and the men who repulsed Longstreet's assault.

Fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued. General Armistead, who was a good friend of General Hancock, was mortally wounded here.

Watching the battle from near the front line was Hancock. He too was wounded and went down when a ball struck his wood saddle and splintered it, sending large sharp pieces into his thigh causing massive bleeding.

As he was attended to by his officers he stated " I will not be moved from the field until this engagement is decided".

Monument to General Hancock on Cemetery Hill.

Note that one front leg of the horse is lifted. This signifies being wounded.

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As Armistead lay dying, he was being attended to by Union troops. they asked for his name, he replied, "I would like to speak to General Hancock, tell him that General Armistead says I'm so very sorry". He died two days later in a field hospital. Neither Armistead nor Hancock knew that they were only about 200 to 300 yards apart.

The Confederates were stopped just over the stone wall. Of over 13,000 men that charged across the field, more than half, 7,000 or so, lay dead or wounded in the no-man's land between the two ridges, as other thousands limped dejected and beaten, but still defiant, back to where they started.

Monument to General Meade on Cemetery Ridge.

Note that all four legs of the horse are on the ground.

This signifies that he survived without injury

The Trostle Farm, which lies just north of the Wheatfield, and between Cemetery Ridge and Seminary Ridge, was damaged during the attacks on July 2 and 3. Cannonball hole is still visible near the top of the barn. The farmhouse was used as a headquarters for General Sickles and the barn used as a field hospital after the battle.

General Lee rode out to a point at the edge of the battlefield and watched his shattered army returning. "It's my fault" he was heard to say, "it is I who has lost this fight, it's all my fault".

Lee's view looking across the battlefield at the "clump of trees" and "The Angle". It was from this point where he consoled his men returning from the battle.

Opposite view as above. Tablet and stone bench area to the right of the cannon is where Lee met his shattered army

Monument to General Lee on Seminary Ridge.

All four feet of the horse are down.

This signifies he survived the battle uninjured.

Mistakes of the third day

What became

of...?

Who won the

third day?

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Day Three

Lee's Plan

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Early Morning

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Day Three

Lee's Plan For Pickett's Charge

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The Attack With

Garnett's, Kemper's and Armistead's Route

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Clump of trees Lee pointed to.

This is known as

"The High Water Mark"

"The Angle" in the stone wall where Gen. Armistead and CSA troops breached

Clump of trees Lee pointed to.

Picket fence

Stone Wall

Lee's clump of trees.

The "High Water Mark"

The Angle

Armistead

Garnett

Kemper

Armistead

The Angle

Stone Wall

Emmitsburg Road

Seminary Ridge

Lee rode out here to console his men after the attack

Armistead mortally wounded here

Stone Wall

Lee rode out here to console his men after the attack

Stone Wall

Emmitsburg Road

The Angle

Lee rode out here to console his men after the attack

Armistead's path

The Angle

Big Round Top

Little Round Top

UNION SIDE

CONFEDERATE SIDE

Brigadier General

Lewis A. Armistead C.S.A.

Fell Here

July, 3, 1863

Cannonball Hole

Clump of trees

Lee's spot

The Stone Wall

Armistead's path

The Angle

"Follow me men ! To the wall"....

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The High Water Mark...

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Armistead at "The Angle"...

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"Over the fence boys !"....

Crossing the Emmittsburg Road

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" Up men, and to your posts ...!"

"For Virginia...Forward, march !"

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Maj. General Winfield S. Hancock

USA

Hancock's Headquarters marker just north of

Penna. Monument

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Monument were Hancock was wounded just west of HQ marker and on the

left-of- center of the Union line, south of "The Angle"

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Hancock wounded here

Hancock's view of the Battlefield from where he was wounded...

1; looking to his left . 2; looking left center, at Emmitsburg Road. 3; looking center, across large field & Emmitsburg Road.

4; looking center right, at Codori Farm. 5; looking right, across large field at main attack across Emmitsburg Road.

6; looking far right, towards stone wall and "clump of trees". Armistead came across at the second large tree on the right.

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Hancock wounded in this area

Armistead came across here

General Hancock leads 2nd Corps troops onto Cemetery Hill

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Pickett

Armistead

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Shades of Blue & Gray

(Left:)The barn today. (Right); the barn in 1863

Note the dead animals along the road in front of the barn