Summary Lee is working late into the night, sitting in a rocking chair to minimize the chest pain. The following day will be Independence Day, and Lee wonders if it is an omen for today’s coming battle, a message from God. He doesn’t even want to dream on the possibility […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 6. LeeSummary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 5. Longstreet
Summary Longstreet visits Hood in the hospital and lies to him about winning the battle and the number of casualties. Hood is drugged and about to have his arm operated on, so he is incoherent as he mumbles that Longstreet should have let him go to the right. Longstreet rides […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 5. LongstreetSummary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 4. Chamberlain
Summary It is late afternoon. Artillery fire is heard in the west. Chamberlain and Kilrain are ordered to form the regiment and follow Vincent. The Confederates are moving on the left flank. Vincent explains how Sickles moved his men into the Peach Orchard against orders and that he has endangered […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 4. ChamberlainSummary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 3. Longstreet
Summary Lee considers his next moves using the information his aides, Johnston and Clarke, have gained from scouting the Union positions during the night. The Union is dug in on Culp’s and Cemetery Hills, there are men on Cemetery Ridge, but there are no men on the rocky hills to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 3. LongstreetSummary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 2. Chamberlain
Summary In the morning, Chamberlain wanders through camp, judging his men’s readiness and generally lost in thought. He remembers dreaming of his wife, of her coming to him in her scarlet robe. “Away from her you loved her more. The only need was her.” He recalls her misspelling of the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 2. ChamberlainSummary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 1. Fremantle
Summary It is 3 a.m., and Fremantle reflects on the coming battle and what an uncivilized hour it is for things to begin. Breakfast has an air of “seize the day,” and Fremantle is anxious not to miss the battle today. Fremantle observes the command meeting with Lee, Longstreet, and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Thursday, July 2, 1863 – 1. FremantleSummary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 7. Buford
Summary It is 2 a.m., and Buford rides along Cemetery Hill while the men continue to dig in. He is wounded, in pain, and looking for orders for what is left of his cavalry unit. At the farmhouse being used as a headquarters, he encounters two majors arguing over who […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 7. BufordSummary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 6. Lee
Summary Lee heads north through town to see Ewell and find out why he did not attack Cemetery Hill that afternoon. In town, all of Lee’s men are celebrating the day’s “victory.” With tears in their eyes, they watch him pass by. Lee meets with Ewell, Early, and Rodes. He […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 6. LeeSummary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 5. Longstreet
Summary On the evening of the first day, Longstreet rides over the battlefield on his way back to his camp on the Cashtown Road. His mood is gloomy, and his staff stays clear of him. He reflects on the deaths of his children and on what he sees around him […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 5. LongstreetSummary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 4. Chamberlain
Summary Chamberlain’s group is moving west through the heat. Chamberlain is still sick from heat stroke, and though he wants to march with his men, Color Sergeant Tozier tells Chamberlain to get back on his horse and act like an officer. They don’t want another new commander. Chamberlain is surprised […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Wednesday, July 1, 1863 – 4. Chamberlain