this kind of ad makes me less likely to buy the product or think favorably of it. i'm not your market for obvious reasons; but any comment ad invites snarky feedback. i just don't think it's a sensible ad format since if i am your competitor here's my chance to add negative comments.
Lest we forget the Civil War was a battle of brother against brother. Not just metaphorically, but literally. My third great grandfather was drafted in the Missouri Guard for the Union while his brother joined the Confederacy.
Missori was neutral and were called the bushwackers. They hated the Union after the Union backed Kansas Jay hawkers abducted the wives and daughters of the bushwackers and imprisoned them in a hotel basement. Then they burned the hotel down claiming it was an accident. ( a cowards tactic because women and children were supposed to be left alone ) and lead to the retaliation by the sacking and pillaging of lawerence Kansas. Which then kicked off bleeding Kansas. They did it to themselves. It had nothing to do with slavery like this alternative history peddling channel. Your family were likely not enemies.
I understand completely. My Mother's great grandfather joined the Confederacy in Missouri along with a brother. While 3 other brothers joined the Federals. Only 2 returned unhurt, while one came home missing a leg and a hand. Of the others, one is buried in Tennessee and the other in Georgia. My great grandmother, his daughter, was old when I was a little boy and she told me some stories about him and his brother, the Federal. They bought property together and were nieghbor's all the rest of their lives. Odd how they fought against one another, but after it was business as usual.
@@The_Conqueeftador Almost all border states (Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland and the new states in 1863 West Virginia), except for Delaware, which was almost 100% unionist the people were divided between the unionists and confederats. West Virgina was 50-50% and the others had unionist soldier majority. However the Confederat Tennessee gave 30 000 WHITE unionist soldiers, the confederat Arkansas 9000 WHITE unionist soldiers and the confederat North Carolina gave 10 000 WHITE unionist soldiers. Alabamian (white) unionist cavalry regiment was the bodyguard of Sherman's headquarter during the Georgia and Carolinas campaign! Except for South Carolina white unionist soldiers were in all deep south states! Missoury was the only SLAVE HOLDIND STATE where Abraham Lincoln won 2 (TWO) COUNTIES ! Gasconade (with 0.9% slave population) and St Louis (with 2.3% slaves) counties at all! Missouri gave 10,9% votes for Abraham Lincoln in 1860! Missouri had areas with unionist and confederat majority sentiment! St Lous and near counties (as Gasconade), the Iowa border counties (with low slavery population) and the Ozark region counties were the stronger unionist areas. The strongest confederat sentiment area was the Missouri river area's counties. It was called Little Diexie with higher slave population between 37,1% - 10,3% slaves! BTW the Arkansas unionists lived in the Ozark region of Arkansas next to the unionist Ozark region of Missouri with low% slave population! Interesting Mark Twain had confederat sympthy untill 1863, he was the member of the confederat sympthy militia in Hannibal Missouri, but this sympathy was not too strong because his brother could bring him to Neveda. Mark Twain became unionist in 1863 in Nevada! South Illinois had a little confederation sympathy movement in 1861, but during the Civil War this became marginal!
Simon, thanks for that video. I have been a Civil War Re-enactor for 18 years, and have been to Gettysburg many times. This battle never fails to leave an impact on me. Every year in November, during the week in which the Gettysburg Address was delivered, re-enactors from both sides march through Gettysburg in remembrance, and deliver speeches at the Gettysburg National Cemetery in memory of the fallen on both sides.
No re-enactments this year i heard. Thank god, it would be great to have a summer where tourists went someplace else to visit and cause traffic jams. Bad enough we get the biker douches in town for a week. I hate living near gettysburg
@@misledprops not everyone in the Confederacy was pro-slavery nor was everyone in the union anti-slavery. Some like General Lee joined the confederacy specifically because they did not want to fight against their brothers but would rather fight side by side with them.
@@misledpropsNo. U are wrong. These were soldiers. They fought for what they believed in. Even if it was racism , they DIED for what they believed in. Can you say the same ?
Yea I'd like to see a video on the trail of tears in school in Florida they only briefly talked I think they said the Seminoles did something maybe they dident want to go idk
@@TERoss-jk9ny , I am so sorry for your horrible loss. My grandmothers were priceless in our families. I never studied this history (was a poor ztudent so dunno if it was or wasn't taught. But there are signs where i lived in Chattanooga by the river that spoke of the T of T and i had sense to look up what happened.
For anyone who finds the battle interesting. Watch the movie "Gettysburg" by Ronald Maxwell. Truly a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography. (Not to mention actually filmed on the historic battlefield. As well as having thousands of volunteers helping out
I saw the movie when it came out; I lived in Delaware. There were knots of excited guys in the seats laying out maps of the battlefield before the picture started, and enthusiastically taking out the maps again at intermission. Some of them were in Civil War replica uniforms. I know that almost all the soldiers in the movie were Civil War re-enactors. I often wondered how many of the men studying the maps had been extras in the movie. I just adore it when people are enamored by history.
I live about 45 minute away from Gettysburg and...yea...going there you just feel something. Walking around the battlefield, seeing the High Watermark of the Confederacy, reading all the markers about the units that fought there. Its really incredible and I'd highly advise anyone who can to go there
Simon: Time to talk about the other thing everyone thinks about when talking about Gettysburg! Me: The ghosts? Simon: The Gettysburg Address. Me: ...Oh.
Having lived there and having taken hundreds of 3 mile runs at night through the battlegrounds...I can promise you ghosts aren't real...the people who go on ghost tours in Gettysburg are pretty freaky though
@@MrTradisrad Kind of like the people who believe that Aliens are responsible for Human civilization on Planet Earth. It takes a weirdo to come up with weird ideas, after all.
My great-great-great grandfather, George Whitlock, fought at Gettysburg for the 54th New York Infantry. The unit roster said he was 18 years old when he enlisted, but he was actually only 15 years of age.
The European Powers (England, France, Austria, etc) Sent observers to both sides of the battle. They were appalled and horrified at the death tolls in Civil War battlefields. After the war was over, they wrote papers saying that level of death was strictly an American perversion. In the next major war, (WW I) fout sixtyyears later, they sadly learned otherwise.
@@steveconsultant4523 you sell them short. They learned many a lesson from the meat grinder, sadly every lesson they learned they drew the wrong conclusion from. The reality was Getty was the first full battle on that scale to occur after the industrial revolution. The supply techniques used by the north and idiotic charges by the confederacy were noted and eventually applied to the European wars.
I'm "Getty's People, too, like YOU! My great great grandfather was John McQuire. And all I know from my research is that he fought in the war. And was hanged by his thumbs. And that the census bureau stated that hat he didn't have a family. But he DID or I wouldn't be here!
I’ve lived in MD my entire life, and my house is less then an hour from Gettysburg. I take my children to the memorial every year, and we are still fascinated with its history to this day.
My dad was born in Gettysburg and I have been there so many times I have lost count. I don't regret a single trip. Even if you aren't a war nut it is still a neat place to visit. Thanks for the great video Simon 👍
We recently covered the Civil War in school and my teacher finds the Gettysburg Address so profound that he apparently can’t read through it without coming to tears. Goes to show how impactful Lincoln’s words are still today. Great Video!
I can't fault them for being in tears about the war. It was a horrific thing that happened and many family members fought on opposite sides and a lot of people died and Towns fight against each other and were burner down.
Will never forget reading the stories and personal accounts of survivors of the Union Artillery Battery Regiments and them loading "Double Canister" during Pickett's Charge and them just seeing clouds of pink mist, body parts and chunks of meat from the charging lines of Confederates flying above the clouds of smoke from the cannons at point blank range. Absolutely mental. American Civil War has always been one of my favorite topics. More on the civil war please! Maybe Harper's Ferry or the Battle of Antietam?
It's said that canister was the type of shot that made howitzers and cannons into big rifled shotguns and thereby inflicting maximum casualties on the enemy.
Simon, I want to compliment you on this video. I know American history is not taught in UK schools, so awesome job with your research. Also, you speak with great feeling and passion and these are the feelings that every American feels when thinking about the sacrifices made at Gettysburg. Well done, sir!
I'm British and was taught American history at High School. It fascinated me and I've made two trips to the USA to visit historical sites, including many battlefields. The first one I went to was Gettysburg.
We Americans are taught shamefully little of our own history in schools. State governments and families like to punish teachers for telling kids parts of our history they don't like.
Breen er,.Is Breen your surname?If so your name is Irish.The name means sorrow.Dan Breen was a prominent Irish commander who fought during The Tan war,in Ireland.The Irish were the first to break from the British empire.They invented a new type of war fare urban guerilla war.
If you are near Gettysburg go and see it. In the museum they have the cyclorama which has been restored to its original glory. It is a 360 degree painting that was painted after Gettysburg. Cycloramas were the way they would communicate major world events to towns all across the US. After an event happened painters would paint these paintings, cut them up and ship it all over to describe the event to different towns. You can see pictures of it, but you have to see it in person to really appreciate the scale of it.
@@TheWolfsnack...90 years later, same day 25 Oct there was another famous/empty charge. As one wag included a 'padding' that included the line from the poem: " the whole world wondered" regarding Bull Halsey's run toward the decoy Northern fleet. Needless to say Bull wasn't happy.
Only having two parties in charge of our federal government since the civil war I think is causing us to loose the OF, BY and FOR. It seems like they've been creating their own little kingdoms for quite some time. From time to time they like to make us think we matter but then quickly take even that away. Makes me a little sad.
I got insanely lucky when the Rotary Youth Exchange program chose Gettysburg as my destination. I didn't just get to experience the American life i had requested on the forms, but i got an incredible historical lesson to go along with it. Besides that, the people there are just plain lovely. If any Gettysburg residents see this, thank you.
One of my favourite places. I live about 15 miles away, and as a transplanted Brit, the history of the place just pulls me... Most Americans are fascinated by castles and other old history, but to me, the history in places like Gettysburg is so recent that you can almost hear the echoes of the cannons...
Gettysburg is ours so of course we would be a little more interested in castles. I am not surprised you are fascinated about one of the U.S.'s deadliest battles. I'm not saying castles are a shrug for you.
I lived in Pittsburgh and used to visit Gettysburg all the time years ago. I find it the most interesting battle in US history. It’s weird standing on a place that so many people parished. It’s strange.
I've lived near Gettysburg my whole life and have been there multiple times for school field trips, passing through to other areas, and just driving around because of the history. It's easy to forget such an important part of history when it's in your backyard.
Good global perspective about Gettysburg and Lincoln’s address. Thanks! Having visited twice, I have two take aways. First, the meaning of Hallowed Ground becomes clear. And a visit to Gettysburg’s should be on every American’s bucket list.
"The men of the 1st Minnesota are most remembered for their actions on July 2, 1863, during the second day's fighting at Gettysburg, where the regiment prevented the Confederates from pushing the Federals off of Cemetery Ridge, a position that was to prove crucial in the battle. Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, commander of II Corps, ordered the regiment to assault a much larger enemy force (a brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox), telling Col. William Colvill to take the enemy's colors. The fateful charge bought the time needed for other forces to be brought up. During the charge, 215 members of the 262 men who were present at the time became casualties in five minutes, including the regimental commander, Col. William Colvill, and all but three of his captains. The unit's flag fell five times and was raised again each time. The 47 survivors rallied back to General Hancock under the senior surviving officer, Captain Nathan S. Messick. The 82% casualty rate stands to this day as the largest loss by any surviving military unit in U.S. history during a single day's engagement,"
Minnesota was the first state to send troops to answer president Lincoln's call. My great, great, etc. uncle was deployed from Fort Snelling, by barge, down the Mississippi, to the battlefields of the south.
@@DanTaninecz It's gorgeous country, at least it is once you adapt to 100° in the summer and -30° in the winter. Still no place I'd rather be though. 😊👍
And yet, they would be tragically overshadowed, on that same afternoon, by the heroics of the 20th Maine, who actually ran out of ammunition against a relentless Confederate assault that threatened to take "Little Round Top" and completely cave in the Union's Eastern Flank, thus losing them the battle, and probably the war. Instead, Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (a simple college professor prior to the Civil War's outbreak) ordered his men to "fix bayonets" and essentially charge down the hill, AT the enemy, who was fervently and relentlessly rushing up to meet them. The Confederates were so utterly flabbergasted at the union regiment charging down upon them with bayonets, that they promptly turned tail and fled back down the hill, never to go up it again. In an engagement that was doomed to failure before it began, and yet got turned into a highly improbable victory, the mini-battle of "Little Round Top" is the reason that Pickett's Charge needed to even happen on July 3rd in the first place. Hence... it is quite simply the reason Gettysburgh was won.
As a Mainer, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is an absolute legend. You shouldn't have glossed over Little Round Top so quickly, but good video otherwise. I just about threw up in my mouth when I talked to a high school student in my town and realized that they had no idea who he was and they weren't teaching anything about him in history class. Real Mainers will never forget the "Lion of the Round Top". He was wounded several times during the war and basically considered on his deathbed after the 2nd Battle of Petersburg. His story is very interesting, I encourage fans of history to check it out.
1:40 - Chapter 1 - Birth of a town 4:40 - Chapter 2 - Birth of a nation 8:50 - Mid roll ads 10:10 - Chapter 3 - Death of an union 14:25 - Chapter 4 - Before the battle 18:05 - Chapter 5 - The battle 21:35 - Chapter 6 - "Four score & seven years ago"
Thanks for making History so much more interesting then my High School days. My wife and I visited Gettysburg and they have done a fantastic job making it come alive. A definite item for everyone's BUCKET list. Again Thankyou
Just remember as you're watching it that Shelby Foote is 100% on the side of the Confederates. Also, when you get to the end and (spoiler!) they show the reunion of the soldiers years after the war, take careful note of what kind of soldiers were not invited to that lovefest between yanks and rebs. Here's a hint: not a lot of contrasting skin tones at that parade. Ask yourself why that might have been.
The actual death toll was much higher than 7K. In the Civil War only those who were killed outright were counted as killed. The toll was over 10,000 when you realize the badly wounded soon died and gangrene took many more directly from the wounds from the battle is counted. I have visited the battlefield 5 times and counting.
Standing atop Cemetery Ridge and looking out over the many other places there where American blood was shed brought me to tears just visualizing the slaughter that happened all around me in only 3 days that summer in 1963. I found the monument erected in memory of my fellow Texans who fought in the Texas Brigade alongside general Hood's forces during the battle and paid my respects. I did that at every single monument I came across while I was there, and there are a lot of them scattered about the battlefield. It was a very moving experience to have stood at the high water mark of my southern brethren. I couldn't stop the tears.
I'm a Canadian who's family took 2 weeks every summer to drive down to Myrtle Beach SC, and almost always would stop & stay in Gettysburg the first night. We did it for decades. Very interesting history there and some people say you can still find arrow heads if you know where to look.
Good video man. I know you have someone research these topics from you, but coming you being from across the pond, it was nice to see such depth and respect for the topic.
When I went there...you could feel the death. My heart went out to those who fell on that ground. It definitely weighs heavy in the soil. May peace be within their souls. Be free from pain my brethren. Humans be free.
@Sam Armstrong It was the Confederate invasion of Maryland, fought near Antietam Creek I think. It's famous as the single bloodiest day in US history. Bloody Antietam. The precursor to Gettysburg in a way.
@Sam Armstrong After the Seven Days and Second Manassas, Lee felt confident enough to invade Maryland. A copy of his orders, showing his force was split, was captured by the Union. McClellan chased him and Lee made a stand at Sharpsburg, or Antietam, and his army fought for its life, timely arrival by AP Hill, and McClellans timidity, saved Lee who was able to leave the field, claiming stalemate
I got to be interested and fascinated in Gettysburg from listening to Iced Earth's epic Gettysburg trilogy from their Glorious Burden record, which to me is among their best. From then on, I got to read books about Gettysburg, including The Killer Angels novel, and watched the epic movie. I would love to go to Gettysburg one day.
I think you meant mesmerizing, and yes that fuzz had me transfixed. If someone ever later mentions Gettysburg I will partly associate it with Simon's fuzz.
About five years ago, my employer sent me from California to Pennsylvania and New Jersey for work. I was there about four months. I spent most of my free time visiting Valley Forge, the site where Washington crossed the Delaware to attack Trenton, and Gettysburg. Walking the battlefields of Gettysburg was humbling; the valiant dedication to cause, the death, sacrifice. It brings history to life, so to speak. While on my historical four month journey, I also visited the sites where my three, four, five, and six times great-grandfathers lived. It was an amazing four months.
You have so many phenomenal channels! Thank you for all your great content. I’d love to see a biographic on stonewall Jackson. I went to his grave sight today and I would love to learn more about him as a man and military genius. Again, thank you for everything !
Whenever I visit Gettysburg, I always pay my respects at the state memorials of North Carolina and New York. I have family who died fighting for bith sides. That's not unusual. A lot of Americans who have a long family tradition of military service have family members that fought on both sides. Great Video, Thank You.
@Zen Master I'm sorry you are unhappy. I agree the current wars that are fought are more about money than honor. I was simply remembering and proud of My family members who stood up for and fought a fight they felt was right, from America's Independence, to my Native American family fighting to not get screwed over again to my Poor relatives who fought for both their rights on one side and preserving the Nation on the other. I had family in WW1 and a lot in WW2! I served My country and did so Honorably. I believe in respect and gratitude for those that served for their Country. I will NEVER trivialize their service because politicians picked a bs war...whether it was in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan! Try to make peace with your demons My Brother, you deserve Peace. And You are right that the soldier doesn't make the call, it's the politicians. Take Care and Rest, Thank You for Your Service, John
@Zen Master but they're not created equal. Some are born with breathing problems, heart issues, wonky legs or arms. Some are short, some are tall. Some are as thick as a 2020 liberal and others are intelligent. Realistically, not a single one of us is born equal. The equality you're talking about is a man made concept, one I do really agree with, to a point, but at the same time, we've got to accept that not everyone is technically the same. We all have our different strengths and weaknesses.
really appreciate you posting this! this chronicle of us history with its appropriately soaring words and tone is what should be shown in every american classroom!
Simon, I am subscribed to all of your channels and have watched a lot of your videos. But this is by far my favourite. Thank you and your staff for making this. Well done sir 🙂❤
Long time fan of your content who also grew up 15 minutes from Gettysburg...looking over the fields in person and taking in the scale really takes abstract away from the fact that it was once a carpet of corpses. That said I enjoy the birds eye view, whole scope approach of how you tell the story of a place...glad you didn't get too bogged down in battle specifics...well written
I've spent a lot of time in and around Gettysburg. The battlefield with its cannons and monuments must be preserved as they tell a story of sacrifice and valor on both sides. Let alone what the civilians had to deal with during the battle and the gruesome aftermath that was left to them after the battle with the dead and caring for the wounded from both sides.
Having been there, and stood both where the north was dug in atop hills, and the south in low open fields... You really get a sense of just how bad Lee's decision making was there. Many of his subordinates begged to change plans after the first big day. His remarks had something to do with God will protect us.
Not exactly where he chose to attack but when, the confederates actually won the first day and his subordinates were upset they didn’t take the high ground, after that their chances dropped again because the union both reinforced and fortified little and big round top along with the fish hook formation making it easy to run supplies anywhere on the line. By this time lee didn’t want to back down because they were already there. Lee was extremely smart and the south actually came quite close to winning the second day as well, if the Unions left flank had fallen which it almost did the Union army would have been demolished. Joshua Chamberlain’s bayonet charge saved the battle. First and second day were very probable for the south, third not so much.
Among your consistently superb work at Geographics, I think this video stands as one of the best, if not THEE best video on this channel. Almost choked me up a couple times. Keep up the great work!!
Such amazing content! When my family sees your face, they stop in their tracks and sit down to watch whatever you have decided to create. My daughter knows to watch everything because she will never see historical content in school that is created this well. My wife loves it just because you could discuss a steaming pile of crap in a way that grabs her attention for an hour!
Well done. My first trip to Gettysburg battlefield was on a very foggy day and I walked the main fields. You would come upon a monument or cannon as if by accident in the fog, many of these grand monuments (usually contributed by individual US states) absolute works of art. The shear number of names written out is staggering.
I felt that this was a particularly good programme, in your cannon (if you’ll forgive the unintended but afternoticed pun.Hussah, from England! Just enough detail and a beautifully wry delivery. Tragedy is oft salved by folly’s spastic dance.
A very good account of the Battle of Gettysburg. My great-great grandfather fought in it and was captured by the confederates two weeks later in Virginia. He spent a year at the horrible Andersonville Prison camp in Georgia before he was released. . The prison camp would be a good subject for a future video.
I'm "Getty People, too! Descendant of J. McQuure. Fought in the war. But later hanged by his house thumbs. Census didn't record of hat he had a family. But he did or I wouldn't be her.
My father designed our states monument on the battlefield at Gettysburg. my name is in the monument along with my father mother and sister in a small hidden box built into it
I visited Gettysburg and was given a very long and detailed solo driving and walking tour by one of the Park Managers. Took pictures of all the monuments on and around the battlefield and town.
One of the many people that took photos and helped out after the battles was an old relative of mine. He brought home a cannon projectile and multiple journals describing the scenes in the following days after the battles. I still have all of that, and actually live right near Marsh Creek. Weird that he mentions that
Andersonville Prison would make an excellent subject. It was the South’s big prisoner of war camp and it was abysmal. Also, for Biographics, do one on John Hunt Morgan and his raiders. Fascinating subjects.
Having visited Gettysburg three times there are two take away impressions. It truly is “Hallowed ground”. And it should be on every American’s bucket list.
Stumpy Stump you should go. I’m Canadian so the civil war isn’t super relevant to me but it was still super interesting n really puts the battle into perspective
I had 2 ancestors in the battle, both fighting for the Union at little round top. One was injured, so his name is in one of the memorial buildings there. Pretty neat to see in person for sure. Gettysburg’s great views make it easy to picture the various battles. Some of the other civil war sites I’ve been to (Antietam, Wilderness) are a bit harder to visualize when you’re there in person, at least for me.
Roughly 1/3 of all troops at Gettysburg were casualties. Can you imagine any battle today where 1/3 of the participants are killed, wounded, or captured? It's practically unthinkable.
To give a further idea of just how devastating Pickett's Charge was, when Robert E. Lee found a distraught Pickett wandering aimlessly around camp, he is quoted as saying, "General, you must tend to your division." To which Pickett, after a long pause, replied. "General Lee... *I have no division* ." Pickett lost over HALF of his troops. Entire regiments had been obliterated, with not a single member surviving. So much grapeshot and canister shot had been used that entire battle lines had been reduced to *pink mist* with only fragments remaining. Lee had made the crucial, fateful, and idiotic mistake of having a good bulk of his forces march across OPEN TERRAIN, with NO COVER, in FULL VIEW of enemy artillery, across ground that HAD ALREADY BEEN SCOUTED DAYS EARLIER. Every inch of that land was within range of fire, and he had them march across it. They stood no chance.
As you are covering aspects of the American Civil War, maybe you can do a short video about the Anderson POW camp. A hidden horror of the war few people know about, but should. Loving your Geographics and Biographics videos. Thank you for your effort.
@@54032Zepol A real historical irony is that an ancestor of mine in Maryland belonged to a slave owning family, but he volunteered for the Union Army and fought for the Union. But Maryland was a border state and such a decision was not unusual there. Ancestors of mine in Virginia fought on the Confederate side, but were too poor to have owned slaves.
Same here. I had ancestors on both sides, but my 3x great grandfather that had my last name was in the 15th Alabama and fought against the 20th Maine on Little Round Top at Gettysburg.
In Gettysburg at one of the main tourist centers you can enter your family's name in the registry and see if any of your family fought there. Turns out I had 2 cousins fight there, one on the northern side, and one on the southern side. It is truly a humbling experience to walk upon that hollowed ground.
You did a very good job with this, Simon. I live in eastern Pennsylvania. But, this terrible battle affected our whole state. Pray nothing like this happens again.
as a Yank often righty shamed through Brit perspective on my history, this obviously well researched accurate presentation cannot but be but applauded. Outstanding job, thank you.
I was in Virginia the other day driving into PA, I saw a sign saying Mason Dixon Road, then a few miles up I saw a sign for Gettysburg and then I realized what I was driving through, a place of civil war history! It was pretty cool seeing the landscape and wondering where soldiers once marched.
Couple of small things. 1. Lee was not initially interested in fighting at Gettysburg. He was somewhat drawn into the fight, partially by his commanders like Heath who clashed with Buford's Cavalry. Lee's Army was still strung out and actually separated by a day's march when the first day came to a close. Some units, like Pickett's division, were only completely available for battle on the third day. This was one of the reasons Lee used them as the base of the attack, although two other divisions were involved in the attack on the Union Center. 2. You didn't mention Lee's lack of intelligence at the beginning of the battle. One of the reasons Lee was reluctant at first to attack units coming into Gettysburg was because he had little information on the disposition of Union forces in the area. In fact, on the first day he wasn't sure if AP Hill was going to face Union Cavalry, a Union Corps or multiple Union Corps. There were two reasons why he lacked such information. The first is the famous (or infamous) ride of Stuart's cavalry. Jeb Stuart, who was the primary military scout for the Army of Northern Virginia, was mildly embarrassed a the Battle of Brandy Station three weeks earlier and was trying to make up for it by riding around behind the Union lines causing mischief wherever he could. While he did scare a lot of people in Pennsylvania he also lost contact with Lee's command and failed to give adequate reports on Union forces or their locations. He was not present for much of the fighting in the first two days and the loss of intel meant that Lee had to guess as to what the Union was doing. There is well known report that Lee dressed Stuart down, something he rarely did to his officers directly, due to his actions. One thing that isn't often mentioned is that Lee couldn't rely on information from the local population like he could when he was fighting on the defensive in Virginia. Much of his information could be gleaned from local reports, something that was absent at Gettysburg. On the second day the attacks on the Union flanks, while mildly successful, didn't really throw the Union forces back from their positions in array. The northern attacks on the 'Fishook' were only mildly successful and the Union kept control of its northern flanks for the entire time. The only reason the Confederates had such success on the left flank of the Union forces was because General John Sickles pulled his IV Corps out of good preset positions and moved into a place called the Peach Orchard because he thought it was a better defensive position. What he did was actually put his Corps completely at risk and out of continuity with the rest of the line and when attacked they fell back in disarray. Most of the Union casualties from day 2 were in his corps. If he had stood fast he probably would have weathered the attacks much better. In fact, if it hadn't been for quick thinking by several Union leaders and the rushed deployment of James Barnes's division to Little Round top the whole union flank would have collapsed and the battle would have been over. A lot of well deserved fame was given to Lawrence Chamberlain and the 20th Maine for their defense of the end of Little Round top. The bravery of those men saved the left flank of the Union line and prevented a rout like at Chancellorsville.
Im from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, i e visited Gettysburg a few times over the year, its haunting and creepy in a lot of places. You can still walk around and find bullets in the dirt, or stuck in trees.
Very well done! We all have ideals we like it live up to but often fall short. My Country is not perfect, nor do we try to be. But at our core we do offer a different way to live. 🇺🇸🤘🏻🇺🇸
Its basically mandatory for every kid to go to gettysburg and washington dc when theyre in school on a field trip, the place is so powerful i could feel the atmosphere as a 13 year old kid
On that subject....why do people who speak the kings English add the r sound to any word ending in an a. I've heard it alot when they say places like Chinar and Cubar to name a few. And it's not just the ones who speak the kings english. I've heard Bernie speak like that as well in debates.
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...says a guy with full-grown Taliban beard. : D
@@kulturfreund6631 but with a bold head
@@FerrisMacWheel It´s bald, but you're right.
Cheers.
this kind of ad makes me less likely to buy the product or think favorably of it.
i'm not your market for obvious reasons; but any comment ad invites snarky feedback. i just don't think it's a sensible ad format since if i am your competitor here's my chance to add negative comments.
Lest we forget the Civil War was a battle of brother against brother. Not just metaphorically, but literally. My third great grandfather was drafted in the Missouri Guard for the Union while his brother joined the Confederacy.
That would be one hell of a family reunion.
Missori was neutral and were called the bushwackers. They hated the Union after the Union backed Kansas Jay hawkers abducted the wives and daughters of the bushwackers and imprisoned them in a hotel basement. Then they burned the hotel down claiming it was an accident. ( a cowards tactic because women and children were supposed to be left alone ) and lead to the retaliation by the sacking and pillaging of lawerence Kansas. Which then kicked off bleeding Kansas. They did it to themselves. It had nothing to do with slavery like this alternative history peddling channel. Your family were likely not enemies.
I understand completely. My Mother's great grandfather joined the Confederacy in Missouri along with a brother. While 3 other brothers joined the Federals. Only 2 returned unhurt, while one came home missing a leg and a hand. Of the others, one is buried in Tennessee and the other in Georgia. My great grandmother, his daughter, was old when I was a little boy and she told me some stories about him and his brother, the Federal. They bought property together and were nieghbor's all the rest of their lives. Odd how they fought against one another, but after it was business as usual.
@@The_Conqueeftador Almost all border states (Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland and the new states in 1863 West Virginia), except for Delaware, which was almost 100% unionist the people were divided between the unionists and confederats. West Virgina was 50-50% and the others had unionist soldier majority. However the Confederat Tennessee gave 30 000 WHITE unionist soldiers, the confederat Arkansas 9000 WHITE unionist soldiers and the confederat North Carolina gave 10 000 WHITE unionist soldiers. Alabamian (white) unionist cavalry regiment was the bodyguard of Sherman's headquarter during the Georgia and Carolinas campaign! Except for South Carolina white unionist soldiers were in all deep south states!
Missoury was the only SLAVE HOLDIND STATE where Abraham Lincoln won 2 (TWO) COUNTIES ! Gasconade (with 0.9% slave population) and St Louis (with 2.3% slaves) counties at all! Missouri gave 10,9% votes for Abraham Lincoln in 1860!
Missouri had areas with unionist and confederat majority sentiment! St Lous and near counties (as Gasconade), the Iowa border counties (with low slavery population) and the Ozark region counties were the stronger unionist areas. The strongest confederat sentiment area was the Missouri river area's counties. It was called Little Diexie with higher slave population between 37,1% - 10,3% slaves! BTW the Arkansas unionists lived in the Ozark region of Arkansas next to the unionist Ozark region of Missouri with low% slave population!
Interesting Mark Twain had confederat sympthy untill 1863, he was the member of the confederat sympthy militia in Hannibal Missouri, but this sympathy was not too strong because his brother could bring him to Neveda. Mark Twain became unionist in 1863 in Nevada!
South Illinois had a little confederation sympathy movement in 1861, but during the Civil War this became marginal!
Similar story in my family. I think most people forget how literally the brother against brother part was.
Verdun could be an interesting Geographic subject
Milan Van der Graaf a very interesting one.
Milan Van der Graaf yes
Fields of Verden, and the battle has begun, father and son fall one by one under the gun
Agreed. The Somme would be a good one as well. If we are going WWII, the battle of Stalingrad would be a good one
Yes!
Aaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy
I live in Gettysburg.
And if you dont love history or drinking it sucks.
Good thing I love both
I don't know man summer traffic sucks. and the influx of people who cant navigate a roundabout doesn't help. but hey we got a taco bell now.
@@NappaSaiyanGames the squares circle makes me wanna die but everything is else cool plus that cool candy shop has something cool to try whenever I go
@@IC3DZOMBIE Yeah, try some of the lennin-ade or the rootbeer in the back that stuffs fantastic.
@@NappaSaiyanGames that's what I got first time I went
@@NappaSaiyanGames ...to the latter, now we know why Pickett-Pettigrew were 'chargin'!
Simon, thanks for that video. I have been a Civil War Re-enactor for 18 years, and have been to Gettysburg many times. This battle never fails to leave an impact on me. Every year in November, during the week in which the Gettysburg Address was delivered, re-enactors from both sides march through Gettysburg in remembrance, and deliver speeches at the Gettysburg National Cemetery in memory of the fallen on both sides.
No re-enactments this year i heard. Thank god, it would be great to have a summer where tourists went someplace else to visit and cause traffic jams. Bad enough we get the biker douches in town for a week. I hate living near gettysburg
Should probably stop honoring both sides. Nobody needs those martyrs. Teach history without glorifying racists.
@@misledprops lol they should find something better to do with there time than playing dress up 😂 losers
@@misledprops not everyone in the Confederacy was pro-slavery nor was everyone in the union anti-slavery. Some like General Lee joined the confederacy specifically because they did not want to fight against their brothers but would rather fight side by side with them.
@@misledpropsNo. U are wrong. These were soldiers. They fought for what they believed in. Even if it was racism , they DIED for what they believed in. Can you say the same ?
Would a video on the Trail of Tears interest anyone else? I think it is tragically under taught subject in American History.
the first and hopefully last time a president overruled the supreme court. lets hope nothing like this ever happens again
I would cry through it, but I think it should be talked about more!
My grandmothers grandma died on the Trail of Tears, they just pushed her into a ditch.
Yea I'd like to see a video on the trail of tears in school in Florida they only briefly talked I think they said the Seminoles did something maybe they dident want to go idk
@@TERoss-jk9ny , I am so sorry for your horrible loss. My grandmothers were priceless in our families. I never studied this history (was a poor ztudent so dunno if it was or wasn't taught. But there are signs where i lived in Chattanooga by the river that spoke of the T of T and i had sense to look up what happened.
For anyone who finds the battle interesting. Watch the movie "Gettysburg" by Ronald Maxwell. Truly a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography. (Not to mention actually filmed on the historic battlefield. As well as having thousands of volunteers helping out
I saw the movie when it came out; I lived in Delaware. There were knots of excited guys in the seats laying out maps of the battlefield before the picture started, and enthusiastically taking out the maps again at intermission. Some of them were in Civil War replica uniforms. I know that almost all the soldiers in the movie were Civil War re-enactors. I often wondered how many of the men studying the maps had been extras in the movie. I just adore it when people are enamored by history.
As well-made as the film is, it's heaped in "Lost Cause" BS, though not as much as its thoroughly disgusting prequel.
Wildy inaccurate though.
Humans are always fighting, that's why we bigfoots just stay deep in the forest
Smart.
Just seen him in a Michigan brewery
Good to see you again! Sasquatch & supermodels have been haunting my dreams of late. I have strange dreams.
That's a great philosophy to live by.
Biggy, where’s my $20? You owe me bro.
I live about 45 minute away from Gettysburg and...yea...going there you just feel something. Walking around the battlefield, seeing the High Watermark of the Confederacy, reading all the markers about the units that fought there. Its really incredible and I'd highly advise anyone who can to go there
Simon: Time to talk about the other thing everyone thinks about when talking about Gettysburg!
Me: The ghosts?
Simon: The Gettysburg Address.
Me: ...Oh.
I was super happy he didn't say ghosts hahaha...I expected it too
Having lived there and having taken hundreds of 3 mile runs at night through the battlegrounds...I can promise you ghosts aren't real...the people who go on ghost tours in Gettysburg are pretty freaky though
Great topic!
@@MrTradisrad Kind of like the people who believe that Aliens are responsible for Human civilization on Planet Earth. It takes a weirdo to come up with weird ideas, after all.
dead ass me too
My great-great-great grandfather, George Whitlock, fought at Gettysburg for the 54th New York Infantry. The unit roster said he was 18 years old when he enlisted, but he was actually only 15 years of age.
That’s illegal, he should be sued
A lot of people had family at Gettysburg, some on both sides. It was that kind of war.
The European Powers (England, France, Austria, etc) Sent observers to both sides of the battle. They were appalled and horrified at the death tolls in Civil War battlefields. After the war was over, they wrote papers saying that level of death was strictly an American perversion.
In the next major war, (WW I) fout sixtyyears later, they sadly learned otherwise.
@@steveconsultant4523 you sell them short. They learned many a lesson from the meat grinder, sadly every lesson they learned they drew the wrong conclusion from.
The reality was Getty was the first full battle on that scale to occur after the industrial revolution. The supply techniques used by the north and idiotic charges by the confederacy were noted and eventually applied to the European wars.
I'm "Getty's People, too, like YOU! My great great grandfather was John McQuire. And all I know from my research is that he fought in the war. And was hanged by his thumbs. And that the census bureau stated that hat he didn't have a family. But he DID or I wouldn't be here!
I’ve lived in MD my entire life, and my house is less then an hour from Gettysburg. I take my children to the memorial every year, and we are still fascinated with its history to this day.
That one hair sticking out of the left side of your head should be removed on camera by your sponsor.
He should use the dollar shave club.
That was driving me nuts, too!
Once seen, can never be unseen.
Made me chuckle
Thomas, once you pointed it out, I found it impossible not to see, darn it.
My dad was born in Gettysburg and I have been there so many times I have lost count. I don't regret a single trip. Even if you aren't a war nut it is still a neat place to visit. Thanks for the great video Simon 👍
We recently covered the Civil War in school and my teacher finds the Gettysburg Address so profound that he apparently can’t read through it without coming to tears. Goes to show how impactful Lincoln’s words are still today. Great Video!
I can't fault them for being in tears about the war. It was a horrific thing that happened and many family members fought on opposite sides and a lot of people died and Towns fight against each other and were burner down.
Will never forget reading the stories and personal accounts of survivors of the Union Artillery Battery Regiments and them loading "Double Canister" during Pickett's Charge and them just seeing clouds of pink mist, body parts and chunks of meat from the charging lines of Confederates flying above the clouds of smoke from the cannons at point blank range. Absolutely mental. American Civil War has always been one of my favorite topics. More on the civil war please! Maybe Harper's Ferry or the Battle of Antietam?
It's said that canister was the type of shot that made howitzers and cannons into big rifled shotguns and thereby inflicting maximum casualties on the enemy.
Simon, I want to compliment you on this video. I know American history is not taught in UK schools, so awesome job with your research. Also, you speak with great feeling and passion and these are the feelings that every American feels when thinking about the sacrifices made at Gettysburg. Well done, sir!
I'm British and was taught American history at High School. It fascinated me and I've made two trips to the USA to visit historical sites, including many battlefields. The first one I went to was Gettysburg.
Shows what 'you know'. We are taught American history, what little there is.
We Americans are taught shamefully little of our own history in schools. State governments and families like to punish teachers for telling kids parts of our history they don't like.
your way of telling stories grips the listener simon, love your work! keep it up
Bubby Zack hopefully if he keeps atter he’ll get a break
Breen er,.Is Breen your surname?If so your name is Irish.The name means sorrow.Dan Breen was a prominent Irish commander who fought during
The Tan war,in Ireland.The Irish were the first to break from the British empire.They invented a new type of war fare urban guerilla war.
Brian Breen yessir i’ve looked into the origins as well, it’s super interesting to know where you come from and to meet another Breen!
If you are near Gettysburg go and see it. In the museum they have the cyclorama which has been restored to its original glory. It is a 360 degree painting that was painted after Gettysburg. Cycloramas were the way they would communicate major world events to towns all across the US. After an event happened painters would paint these paintings, cut them up and ship it all over to describe the event to different towns. You can see pictures of it, but you have to see it in person to really appreciate the scale of it.
Bravo to Morris for writing this one! The closing remarks were particularly poetic.
“ that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth,”-mic drop
Y'all think the Charge of the Light Brigade was dumb ass? ...here...hold my beer....
I read that Lincoln dabbed afterwards.
@@TheWolfsnack...90 years later, same day 25 Oct there was another famous/empty charge.
As one wag included a 'padding' that included the line from the poem: " the whole world wondered" regarding Bull Halsey's run toward the decoy Northern fleet. Needless to say Bull wasn't happy.
Only having two parties in charge of our federal government since the civil war I think is causing us to loose the OF, BY and FOR. It seems like they've been creating their own little kingdoms for quite some time. From time to time they like to make us think we matter but then quickly take even that away. Makes me a little sad.
I got insanely lucky when the Rotary Youth Exchange program chose Gettysburg as my destination. I didn't just get to experience the American life i had requested on the forms, but i got an incredible historical lesson to go along with it. Besides that, the people there are just plain lovely.
If any Gettysburg residents see this, thank you.
One of my favourite places. I live about 15 miles away, and as a transplanted Brit, the history of the place just pulls me... Most Americans are fascinated by castles and other old history, but to me, the history in places like Gettysburg is so recent that you can almost hear the echoes of the cannons...
Gettysburg is ours so of course we would be a little more interested in castles. I am not surprised you are fascinated about one of the U.S.'s deadliest battles. I'm not saying castles are a shrug for you.
Also, look up the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. You'll be flabbergasted.
The Wordsmithing in this video was great...tedsybear's picnic and Clay's hemroids...dog's breakfast bagged kibble...great job on this video.
I lived in Pittsburgh and used to visit Gettysburg all the time years ago. I find it the most interesting battle in US history. It’s weird standing on a place that so many people parished. It’s strange.
I've lived near Gettysburg my whole life and have been there multiple times for school field trips, passing through to other areas, and just driving around because of the history. It's easy to forget such an important part of history when it's in your backyard.
Good global perspective about Gettysburg and Lincoln’s address. Thanks! Having visited twice, I have two take aways. First, the meaning of Hallowed Ground becomes clear. And a visit to Gettysburg’s should be on every American’s bucket list.
"The men of the 1st Minnesota are most remembered for their actions on July 2, 1863, during the second day's fighting at Gettysburg, where the regiment prevented the Confederates from pushing the Federals off of Cemetery Ridge, a position that was to prove crucial in the battle.
Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, commander of II Corps, ordered the regiment to assault a much larger enemy force (a brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox), telling Col. William Colvill to take the enemy's colors. The fateful charge bought the time needed for other forces to be brought up. During the charge, 215 members of the 262 men who were present at the time became casualties in five minutes, including the regimental commander, Col. William Colvill, and all but three of his captains.
The unit's flag fell five times and was raised again each time. The 47 survivors rallied back to General Hancock under the senior surviving officer, Captain Nathan S. Messick. The 82% casualty rate stands to this day as the largest loss by any surviving military unit in U.S. history during a single day's engagement,"
Minnesota was the first state to send troops to answer president Lincoln's call. My great, great, etc. uncle was deployed from Fort Snelling, by barge, down the Mississippi, to the battlefields of the south.
@@Russo-Delenda-Est I grew up in Virginia. I love Minnesota and am planning to move there in a few years.
@@DanTaninecz It's gorgeous country, at least it is once you adapt to 100° in the summer and -30° in the winter. Still no place I'd rather be though. 😊👍
And yet, they would be tragically overshadowed, on that same afternoon, by the heroics of the 20th Maine, who actually ran out of ammunition against a relentless Confederate assault that threatened to take "Little Round Top" and completely cave in the Union's Eastern Flank, thus losing them the battle, and probably the war. Instead, Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (a simple college professor prior to the Civil War's outbreak) ordered his men to "fix bayonets" and essentially charge down the hill, AT the enemy, who was fervently and relentlessly rushing up to meet them. The Confederates were so utterly flabbergasted at the union regiment charging down upon them with bayonets, that they promptly turned tail and fled back down the hill, never to go up it again. In an engagement that was doomed to failure before it began, and yet got turned into a highly improbable victory, the mini-battle of "Little Round Top" is the reason that Pickett's Charge needed to even happen on July 3rd in the first place. Hence... it is quite simply the reason Gettysburgh was won.
Great place if you're a liberal and love high taxes.
People back then had LONG attention spans. Sitting through a 2-hour speech from a talented orator was something to be enjoyed.
Damn Simon, those last words u gave at the end made me shed a tear for hope...Simon is like the British Lincoln
As a Mainer, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is an absolute legend. You shouldn't have glossed over Little Round Top so quickly, but good video otherwise. I just about threw up in my mouth when I talked to a high school student in my town and realized that they had no idea who he was and they weren't teaching anything about him in history class. Real Mainers will never forget the "Lion of the Round Top". He was wounded several times during the war and basically considered on his deathbed after the 2nd Battle of Petersburg. His story is very interesting, I encourage fans of history to check it out.
I'm glad you were nice while voicing your preference. Simon does a marvelous job and can't include everything.
1:40 - Chapter 1 - Birth of a town
4:40 - Chapter 2 - Birth of a nation
8:50 - Mid roll ads
10:10 - Chapter 3 - Death of an union
14:25 - Chapter 4 - Before the battle
18:05 - Chapter 5 - The battle
21:35 - Chapter 6 - "Four score & seven years ago"
Thanks for making History so much more interesting then my High School days. My wife and I visited Gettysburg and they have done a fantastic job making it come alive. A definite item for everyone's BUCKET list.
Again Thankyou
I brought my Boy Scout troop there. First-rate experience.
I recommend Ken Burn's Civil War documentary series on Amazon Prime Video as of 3/2/2020.
It's a very well done documentary, it gives a comprehensive look into the war, in a very impartial way. Plus that soundtrack, damn it's good.
I can't find it. Is it regional locked? I live on Chile btw.
@@chinaski6593 It's possible; different countries have different access to Netflix content. A way around this is with a reputable VPN service.
@Giulio Ricciardi Oh no!!!!
Just remember as you're watching it that Shelby Foote is 100% on the side of the Confederates.
Also, when you get to the end and (spoiler!) they show the reunion of the soldiers years after the war, take careful note of what kind of soldiers were not invited to that lovefest between yanks and rebs. Here's a hint: not a lot of contrasting skin tones at that parade. Ask yourself why that might have been.
I've been to Gettysburg and it's very powerful. Great job, Simon, one of your best.
Simon, how much is the Gettysburg Historical Society paying you to keep quiet about the battle of Schrute Farms?
I'll admit that Gettysburg was the second most northern battle. But first, No!!!
Jordan R stop using fake accounts we know it’s you Dwight. Identify theft is not a joke!
I get ur joke now i had to find out what the H u were talkin about but dam thats funny
Or Franklin...
Turnips.
It's what's for dinner.
Super, a non emotional concise assessment of the American civil war:
No singing, flutes, drums or fanfare
No grand statements, excellent.
Just Deck the Halls.
24:00
The actual death toll was much higher than 7K. In the Civil War only those who were killed outright were counted as killed. The toll was over 10,000 when you realize the badly wounded soon died and gangrene took many more directly from the wounds from the battle is counted. I have visited the battlefield 5 times and counting.
Standing atop Cemetery Ridge and looking out over the many other places there where American blood was shed brought me to tears just visualizing the slaughter that happened all around me in only 3 days that summer in 1963. I found the monument erected in memory of my fellow Texans who fought in the Texas Brigade alongside general Hood's forces during the battle and paid my respects. I did that at every single monument I came across while I was there, and there are a lot of them scattered about the battlefield. It was a very moving experience to have stood at the high water mark of my southern brethren. I couldn't stop the tears.
Very moving, especially coming from a non-US citizen. Thank you!
Everett admitted to Lincoln he had done in a few minutes what he couldn't do in two hours.
I'm a Canadian who's family took 2 weeks every summer to drive down to Myrtle Beach SC, and almost always would stop & stay in Gettysburg the first night. We did it for decades. Very interesting history there and some people say you can still find arrow heads if you know where to look.
Arrowheads?
Why would you find arrowheads? Certainly not from the battle of Gettysburg.
Good video man. I know you have someone research these topics from you, but coming you being from across the pond, it was nice to see such depth and respect for the topic.
When I went there...you could feel the death. My heart went out to those who fell on that ground. It definitely weighs heavy in the soil. May peace be within their souls. Be free from pain my brethren. Humans be free.
Coexisting Reality And for me Antietam is even worse than Gettysburg. That’s one place I’m willing to believe there are ghosts.
@Sam Armstrong It was the Confederate invasion of Maryland, fought near Antietam Creek I think. It's famous as the single bloodiest day in US history. Bloody Antietam. The precursor to Gettysburg in a way.
"Only the dead have seen the end of war" -Plato
@Sam Armstrong After the Seven Days and Second Manassas, Lee felt confident enough to invade Maryland. A copy of his orders, showing his force was split, was captured by the Union. McClellan chased him and Lee made a stand at Sharpsburg, or Antietam, and his army fought for its life, timely arrival by AP Hill, and McClellans timidity, saved Lee who was able to leave the field, claiming stalemate
I got to be interested and fascinated in Gettysburg from listening to Iced Earth's epic Gettysburg trilogy from their Glorious Burden record, which to me is among their best. From then on, I got to read books about Gettysburg, including The Killer Angels novel, and watched the epic movie. I would love to go to Gettysburg one day.
Imo that is by far the greatest piece of music they ever recorded. The third part in particular is just sublime.
Yes, you would.
That fuzz above your left ear is mesmerizing, I can't stop looking at it
yeah one more shout out to dollar shave club
I think you meant mesmerizing, and yes that fuzz had me transfixed. If someone ever later mentions Gettysburg I will partly associate it with Simon's fuzz.
@@dansecor8753 Ya auto correct
About five years ago, my employer sent me from California to Pennsylvania and New Jersey for work. I was there about four months. I spent most of my free time visiting Valley Forge, the site where Washington crossed the Delaware to attack Trenton, and Gettysburg. Walking the battlefields of Gettysburg was humbling; the valiant dedication to cause, the death, sacrifice. It brings history to life, so to speak. While on my historical four month journey, I also visited the sites where my three, four, five, and six times great-grandfathers lived. It was an amazing four months.
You have so many phenomenal channels! Thank you for all your great content. I’d love to see a biographic on stonewall Jackson. I went to his grave sight today and I would love to learn more about him as a man and military genius. Again, thank you for everything !
Whenever I visit Gettysburg, I always pay my respects at the state memorials of North Carolina and New York. I have family who died fighting for bith sides. That's not unusual. A lot of Americans who have a long family tradition of military service have family members that fought on both sides. Great Video, Thank You.
@Zen Master I'm sorry you are unhappy. I agree the current wars that are fought are more about money than honor.
I was simply remembering and proud of My family members who stood up for and fought a fight they felt was right, from America's Independence, to my Native American family fighting to not get screwed over again to my Poor relatives who fought for both their rights on one side and preserving the Nation on the other.
I had family in WW1 and a lot in WW2!
I served My country and did so Honorably.
I believe in respect and gratitude for those that served for their Country.
I will NEVER trivialize their service because politicians picked a bs war...whether it was in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan!
Try to make peace with your demons My Brother, you deserve Peace.
And You are right that the soldier doesn't make the call, it's the politicians.
Take Care and Rest, Thank You for Your Service, John
@Zen Master but they're not created equal. Some are born with breathing problems, heart issues, wonky legs or arms. Some are short, some are tall. Some are as thick as a 2020 liberal and others are intelligent. Realistically, not a single one of us is born equal. The equality you're talking about is a man made concept, one I do really agree with, to a point, but at the same time, we've got to accept that not everyone is technically the same. We all have our different strengths and weaknesses.
Wonderful work as usual Simon and team. I would definitely like to see more video about places like Gettysburg, famous battlegrounds
really appreciate you posting this! this chronicle of us history with its appropriately soaring words and tone is what should be shown in every american classroom!
Simon, I am subscribed to all of your channels and have watched a lot of your videos. But this is by far my favourite. Thank you and your staff for making this. Well done sir 🙂❤
Long time fan of your content who also grew up 15 minutes from Gettysburg...looking over the fields in person and taking in the scale really takes abstract away from the fact that it was once a carpet of corpses. That said I enjoy the birds eye view, whole scope approach of how you tell the story of a place...glad you didn't get too bogged down in battle specifics...well written
I've spent a lot of time in and around Gettysburg. The battlefield with its cannons and monuments must be preserved as they tell a story of sacrifice and valor on both sides. Let alone what the civilians had to deal with during the battle and the gruesome aftermath that was left to them after the battle with the dead and caring for the wounded from both sides.
You truly have got me hooked Simon. The good thing about what you're doing is that you never run out of content. 😍
Having been there, and stood both where the north was dug in atop hills, and the south in low open fields... You really get a sense of just how bad Lee's decision making was there. Many of his subordinates begged to change plans after the first big day. His remarks had something to do with God will protect us.
Not exactly where he chose to attack but when, the confederates actually won the first day and his subordinates were upset they didn’t take the high ground, after that their chances dropped again because the union both reinforced and fortified little and big round top along with the fish hook formation making it easy to run supplies anywhere on the line. By this time lee didn’t want to back down because they were already there. Lee was extremely smart and the south actually came quite close to winning the second day as well, if the Unions left flank had fallen which it almost did the Union army would have been demolished. Joshua Chamberlain’s bayonet charge saved the battle. First and second day were very probable for the south, third not so much.
@@mwalker.81 Chamberlain is a hero to me.
he said "by God's will."
TheWilyTrout ESQ from school teacher to American hero, it really inspires me and I believe exemplifies the American spirit.
General Bernard Montgomery took one look at the battleground and said, "What on Earth was Lee thinking?!"
Among your consistently superb work at Geographics, I think this video stands as one of the best, if not THEE best video on this channel. Almost choked me up a couple times. Keep up the great work!!
This by far, is one of my favourite episodes
Such amazing content! When my family sees your face, they stop in their tracks and sit down to watch whatever you have decided to create. My daughter knows to watch everything because she will never see historical content in school that is created this well. My wife loves it just because you could discuss a steaming pile of crap in a way that grabs her attention for an hour!
Everett even commented that Lincoln successfully said in 2 minutes what he tried to say in 2 hours.
Great video. I live in Mechanicsburg, PA, and parts of Stuart’s Calvary under Jenkins fought in mechanicsburg and camp hill on June 30th.
Love the historical gold this channel presents!
my father brought my family and i here as a kid during the anniversary. got to see the reenactments and walk the battlefields. such a cool experience.
Well done. My first trip to Gettysburg battlefield was on a very foggy day and I walked the main fields. You would come upon a monument or cannon as if by accident in the fog, many of these grand monuments (usually contributed by individual US states) absolute works of art. The shear number of names written out is staggering.
That's a vibe
I love how your so detailed about the subject you talk about. I'm glad I subscribed
I felt that this was a particularly good programme, in your cannon (if you’ll forgive the unintended but afternoticed pun.Hussah, from England! Just enough detail and a beautifully wry delivery. Tragedy is oft salved by folly’s spastic dance.
A very good account of the Battle of Gettysburg. My great-great grandfather fought in it and was captured by the confederates two weeks later in Virginia. He spent a year at the horrible Andersonville Prison camp in Georgia before he was released. . The prison camp would be a good subject for a future video.
I'm "Getty People, too! Descendant of J. McQuure. Fought in the war. But later hanged by his house thumbs. Census didn't record of hat he had a family. But he did or I wouldn't be her.
My father designed our states monument on the battlefield at Gettysburg. my name is in the monument along with my father mother and sister in a small hidden box built into it
Mine too, but he will never know where
I visited Gettysburg and was given a very long and detailed solo driving and walking tour by one of the Park Managers. Took pictures of all the monuments on and around the battlefield and town.
That is amazing
One of the many people that took photos and helped out after the battles was an old relative of mine. He brought home a cannon projectile and multiple journals describing the scenes in the following days after the battles. I still have all of that, and actually live right near Marsh Creek. Weird that he mentions that
The last time I was this early Fort Sumter was still being shelled
If you're over 150 years old, you really *ARE* one weird random guy.
That's what you @lso s@id on your m0m's H0rnpvb video when she was getting shelled.
Andersonville Prison would make an excellent subject. It was the South’s big prisoner of war camp and it was abysmal. Also, for Biographics, do one on John Hunt Morgan and his raiders. Fascinating subjects.
"We exist"- Henry Clay's Hemorrhoids.
Is that something you spend much time on?
Thinking about the intimacies of other men's rear's?
@@petej8556 For all you know he is a doctor.
That hemorrhoids comment had me dying.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Having visited Gettysburg three times there are two take away impressions. It truly is “Hallowed ground”. And it should be on every American’s bucket list.
I was there lots of times since it's in my state and my third great grandfather was in that battle and he lived he was very lucky.
Stumpy Stump you should go. I’m Canadian so the civil war isn’t super relevant to me but it was still super interesting n really puts the battle into perspective
Been there first when I was a child and that visit propelled me into being a history fanatic. Making me a proud Pennsylvania native
Serenity Knights, what side did your ancestor fight on?
@@theawesomeman9821 north
I had 2 ancestors in the battle, both fighting for the Union at little round top. One was injured, so his name is in one of the memorial buildings there. Pretty neat to see in person for sure. Gettysburg’s great views make it easy to picture the various battles. Some of the other civil war sites I’ve been to (Antietam, Wilderness) are a bit harder to visualize when you’re there in person, at least for me.
Roughly 1/3 of all troops at Gettysburg were casualties. Can you imagine any battle today where 1/3 of the participants are killed, wounded, or captured? It's practically unthinkable.
To give a further idea of just how devastating Pickett's Charge was, when Robert E. Lee found a distraught Pickett wandering aimlessly around camp, he is quoted as saying, "General, you must tend to your division."
To which Pickett, after a long pause, replied. "General Lee... *I have no division* ."
Pickett lost over HALF of his troops. Entire regiments had been obliterated, with not a single member surviving. So much grapeshot and canister shot had been used that entire battle lines had been reduced to *pink mist* with only fragments remaining.
Lee had made the crucial, fateful, and idiotic mistake of having a good bulk of his forces march across OPEN TERRAIN, with NO COVER, in FULL VIEW of enemy artillery, across ground that HAD ALREADY BEEN SCOUTED DAYS EARLIER. Every inch of that land was within range of fire, and he had them march across it.
They stood no chance.
I live 45 minutes from Ghettysburg and I have to tell you the battle reenactments are worth a nice road trip to experience.
14:00 I had my ear buds cranked up and I thought that something outside blew up lol
Appreciate the warning, thank you
I did, too.
As you are covering aspects of the American Civil War, maybe you can do a short video about the Anderson POW camp. A hidden horror of the war few people know about, but should. Loving your Geographics and Biographics videos. Thank you for your effort.
Watched the movie about it. And it gave me straight up ww2 concentration camps vibe. Just horrific
As is common with Americans, ancestors of mine were on both sides of the American civil War.
So were mine! One side was free and the other side enslaved.
@@54032Zepol A real historical irony is that an ancestor of mine in Maryland belonged to a slave owning family, but he volunteered for the Union Army and fought for the Union. But Maryland was a border state and such a decision was not unusual there.
Ancestors of mine in Virginia fought on the Confederate side, but were too poor to have owned slaves.
Same here. I had ancestors on both sides, but my 3x great grandfather that had my last name was in the 15th Alabama and fought against the 20th Maine on Little Round Top at Gettysburg.
In Gettysburg at one of the main tourist centers you can enter your family's name in the registry and see if any of your family fought there. Turns out I had 2 cousins fight there, one on the northern side, and one on the southern side. It is truly a humbling experience to walk upon that hollowed ground.
One of your best video essays. A linear journey to the battle of Gettysburg, told reflecting the past in present context. Bravo
"Before we go on to the deadliest war in American history, here's a word from our sponsors!"
You did a very good job with this, Simon. I live in eastern Pennsylvania. But, this terrible battle affected our whole state. Pray nothing like this happens again.
as a Yank often righty shamed through Brit perspective on my history, this obviously well researched accurate presentation cannot but be but applauded. Outstanding job, thank you.
I was in Virginia the other day driving into PA, I saw a sign saying Mason Dixon Road, then a few miles up I saw a sign for Gettysburg and then I realized what I was driving through, a place of civil war history! It was pretty cool seeing the landscape and wondering where soldiers once marched.
I've been to Gettysburg I would not walk that Battlefield at night even during the day you can just feel the presence of the battle
dummy
seriously it is a bunch of dead idiots been there and was bored out of my mind!!!
Couple of small things.
1. Lee was not initially interested in fighting at Gettysburg. He was somewhat drawn into the fight, partially by his commanders like Heath who clashed with Buford's Cavalry. Lee's Army was still strung out and actually separated by a day's march when the first day came to a close. Some units, like Pickett's division, were only completely available for battle on the third day. This was one of the reasons Lee used them as the base of the attack, although two other divisions were involved in the attack on the Union Center.
2. You didn't mention Lee's lack of intelligence at the beginning of the battle. One of the reasons Lee was reluctant at first to attack units coming into Gettysburg was because he had little information on the disposition of Union forces in the area. In fact, on the first day he wasn't sure if AP Hill was going to face Union Cavalry, a Union Corps or multiple Union Corps. There were two reasons why he lacked such information. The first is the famous (or infamous) ride of Stuart's cavalry. Jeb Stuart, who was the primary military scout for the Army of Northern Virginia, was mildly embarrassed a the Battle of Brandy Station three weeks earlier and was trying to make up for it by riding around behind the Union lines causing mischief wherever he could. While he did scare a lot of people in Pennsylvania he also lost contact with Lee's command and failed to give adequate reports on Union forces or their locations. He was not present for much of the fighting in the first two days and the loss of intel meant that Lee had to guess as to what the Union was doing. There is well known report that Lee dressed Stuart down, something he rarely did to his officers directly, due to his actions. One thing that isn't often mentioned is that Lee couldn't rely on information from the local population like he could when he was fighting on the defensive in Virginia. Much of his information could be gleaned from local reports, something that was absent at Gettysburg.
On the second day the attacks on the Union flanks, while mildly successful, didn't really throw the Union forces back from their positions in array. The northern attacks on the 'Fishook' were only mildly successful and the Union kept control of its northern flanks for the entire time. The only reason the Confederates had such success on the left flank of the Union forces was because General John Sickles pulled his IV Corps out of good preset positions and moved into a place called the Peach Orchard because he thought it was a better defensive position. What he did was actually put his Corps completely at risk and out of continuity with the rest of the line and when attacked they fell back in disarray. Most of the Union casualties from day 2 were in his corps. If he had stood fast he probably would have weathered the attacks much better. In fact, if it hadn't been for quick thinking by several Union leaders and the rushed deployment of James Barnes's division to Little Round top the whole union flank would have collapsed and the battle would have been over. A lot of well deserved fame was given to Lawrence Chamberlain and the 20th Maine for their defense of the end of Little Round top. The bravery of those men saved the left flank of the Union line and prevented a rout like at Chancellorsville.
". . . like a swinging gate . . . ." It swung, and the Confederates collapsed.
You missed the little round top battle at Gettysburg.
He could only cover so much.
I went here when I was a kid, and I still remember the feeling that place gave me.
The metaphors in this episode 😂😂😂
Im from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, i e visited Gettysburg a few times over the year, its haunting and creepy in a lot of places. You can still walk around and find bullets in the dirt, or stuck in trees.
Very well done! We all have ideals we like it live up to but often fall short. My Country is not perfect, nor do we try to be. But at our core we do offer a different way to live. 🇺🇸🤘🏻🇺🇸
I concur.🇺🇸🗽
different?
Its basically mandatory for every kid to go to gettysburg and washington dc when theyre in school on a field trip, the place is so powerful i could feel the atmosphere as a 13 year old kid
once again simon has something on his head lmao please tell me yall see it too
Saw it, got distracted by it, commented on it. Then saw your post two seconds later
saw it, looked like an alien spacecraft hovering just off the side of his head
Yup. Quite distracting. Think if he wore a Carhart beanie we'd still take him as seriously?
lint i think
@@mattylove6447 I feel attacked
Im from Pennsylvania and i so enjoyed and appreciate it!
“I never said that”
- Albert Einstein
Neg Ative “Robert E Lee.... you better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” -Abraham Lincoln
"I'm not sure if I said that"
Werner Heisenberg
"Stay strapped or get clapped" - George Washington
So happy Simon has new shows!🍺🥃
10:35 "Kansas Nebrasker act" 😂
CANS ASS
They tend to say "banarna," too.
"Russiar", "arse"
On that subject....why do people who speak the kings English add the r sound to any word ending in an a. I've heard it alot when they say places like Chinar and Cubar to name a few. And it's not just the ones who speak the kings english. I've heard Bernie speak like that as well in debates.
They say “ nore “ instead of “no”
Awesomely clear picture of Gettysburg battle and I’m from UE 🇪🇺
Thanks Simon and folks ! Well done 😎
Simon I think it’s time to roll the mustache. Especially with videos from this time period.