Cemetery Ridge and Pickett’s Charge
Source: Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com. Used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license.
A Fateful Decision
After noticing softness in the center of the Union line during the second day of fighting, Confederate General Robert E. Lee decided to concentrate his attack there on the third day of fighting. His plan was to attack using divisions commanded by Generals Pettigrew, Trimble, and Pickett, under the command of Lieutenant General James Longstreet. The planned attack involved 12,000-15,000 Confederate soldiers.
Unfortunately for the Confederates, the Union commander, Major General George Meade, predicted the attack the night before and moved more troops to the center of his line.
The attack required the Confederate forces to cross nearly a mile of open ground to reach the Union lines. They also had to cross two high fences on either side of the Emmitsburg Road while in range of Union rifles.
Watch the video below to hear a description of the battle by tour guide Gary Kross.
Source: jkmochamaster. Gettysburg - Pickett’s Charge - by tour guide Gary Kross - this guy is captivating. (2009).
The panorama below shows the view from the Confederate line along Seminary Ridge. It is taken at the point where Pickett’s men left the woods to begin their charge. Scroll right or left to see the full image. The Angle, the point where Pickett's forces briefly broke through, is near the middle of the viewing area as it appears when the page first loads.
Source: ©2003–2010 Randy Chadwick. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The panorama below shows the view from the Union line along Cemetery Ridge. The picture is centered at The Angle. Scroll to the center of the image to see the view looking west toward Seminary Ridge. Then scroll right or left to see the view to each side. The trees in the center of the image show the location of Seminary Ridge. The Confederate troops involved in Pickett's charge emerged from those woods and marched across the open fields. The Emmitsburg Road, with fences on each side, crosses the center of your view. Note that the camera lens distorts the distances. The road is only about 200 yards away, while the trees on Seminary Ridge are nearly a mile away.
Source: ©2003–2010 Randy Chadwick. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Questions
- How did the open fields affect the Confederate attack?
- Look at the first panorama. What thoughts might have gone through the mind of a Confederate soldier as he started across the field?
- How did the Union forces take advantage of their position?
