The Planning of Pickett's Charge - Anniversary Campfire Talk with Ranger Matt Atkinson and Son

Comments · 186

• DE

  @decimated550 · 2 months ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCX2iZV-e5o&amp;t=141">2:21</a> in the name of the Lord ...who thought this camera angle is a good one?

• RO

  @RobertPaskulovich-fz1th · 5 months ago

  The Founding Fathers chose slavery.

• RO

  @RobertPaskulovich-fz1th · 6 months ago

  Lee had diarrhea.

• TE

  @terrywallace5181 · 2 years ago

  Very good video.

• MA

  @matthewdelamater2927 · 2 years ago

  Memphis in May, Black Crowes

• LE

  @leeroy4980 · 2 years ago

  The fountain of knowledge that young man Ben is getting. I hope he takes up the baton. Imagine a joint talk by these two in a few years time.

• AL

  @alanaadams7440 · 2 years ago

  I wonder if Lee was confused bc he may have had a small stroke in the days before Gettysburg

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• JO

  @jonrettich-ff4gj · 3 years ago

  Thank you, you always add much. &nbsp;It is important that these things be assessed carefully. I wonder what role the international picture played in Lee’s decision making. He was in the unique position of more or less parity with the Union forces, against an army commander barely days in his job with overwhelming successes against any others. Though he is quoted as saying that Meade would make no mistakes, Sickles did that for him. The gigantic provision raid had gone more than well. And all told the battle was a “damned close run thing” (Wellington, Waterloo). Longstreet after his loss of southern popularity that tried to make him a scapegoat still has shown some questionable actions and was quick to shift blame and not acknowledge deserving others. I think not trying to stop Hooker at Chattanooga and also not assault the Mocassin point landing leave large questions. Knoxville clearly another major issue as well as some Gettysberg issues. He had seen himself as army command material with a very strong ego. I honestly believe he and Bragg suffered something like battle fatigue at Chattanooga. Thank you so much again for the presentation and cause to examine these things

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• JE

  @jeffmilroy9345 · 3 years ago

  Awesome discussion and it explains so much. A dawn attack would have been so much cooler - 20 degrees Fahrenheit of cooler. The use of mobile artillery to support the charge might have been a futile attempt since federal artillery would have targeted the position the minute they unlimbered - but at least getting off a shot or two would embolden the attackers when they most needed a sign of support. The result from Lee/Longstreet failing to achieve a minor CSA success or draw at Gettysburg? No big deal - just perhaps extending the war for a couple years and a few hundred thousand more casualties by the end of the war and the loss of a compromise - a potentially financial solution to ending slavery as well as successful reconstruction and reparations to former slaves with the &quot;40 acres and a mule&quot; in an era when pioneering and homesteading was still needed. The U.S. is still dealing with the aftermath of unconditional surrender and &quot;winning&quot; the war. Tough call - and it goes against my distant relative General Milroy&apos;s ill advised failed attempt to defy the northern invasion at Winchester, but I have to think it may have been better if things had gone differently. But its all right I suppose - Milroy was relieved by Lincoln and never commanded again except for defending bridge crossings: but in so doing became the only fellow to defeat Nathan Bedford Forrest troops late in the war. &quot;Milroy&apos;s weary boys&quot; did well later on (under different leadership) and did illicit a famous and quite humorous quote from an annoyed Grant in the balle of the Wilderness. All told, things could have been worse...

• TH

  @thegreatunknowns4280 · 3 years ago

  That damn bird was distracting me lol

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• WI

  @willoutlaw4971 · 3 years ago (edited)

  Three Confederate armies surrendered to General Grant: Fort Donalson in February of 1962. Vicksburg in July of 1863 and Appomattox in April of 1865.<br>How many armies surrendered to Lee? ZERO!

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• WI

  @willoutlaw4971 · 3 years ago (edited)

  Thank you President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass for the USA. &nbsp;Thanks also to those who fought to save the USA and end African American slavery in the USA.

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