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Letter from Gen. Robert E. Lee to Confederate President, Jefferson Davis

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Letter from Gen. Robert E. Lee to Confederate President, Jefferson Davis concerning the retreat from Gettysburg.

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Lee's account of the battle of Gettysburg

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Lee's account of the battle of Gettysburg

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HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
July 31, 1863

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following outline of the recent operations of this army, for the information of the Department:

The position occupied by the enemy opposite Fredericksburg being one in which he could not be attacked to advantage, it was determined to draw him from it. The execution of this purpose embraced the relief of the Shenandoah Valley from the troops that had occupied the lower part of it during the winter and spring, and, if practicable, the transfer of the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac. It was thought that the corresponding movements on the part of the enemy to which those contemplated by us would probably give rise, might offer a fair opportunity to strike a blow at the army then commanded by General Hooker, and that in any event that army would be compelled to leave Virginia, and, possibly, to draw to its support troops designed to operate against other parts of the country. In this way, it was supposed that the enemy's plan of campaign for the summer would be broken up, and part of the season of active operations be consumed in the formation of new combinations, and the preparations that they would require. . . . Actuated by these and other important considerations that may hereafter be presented, the movement began on June 3. . . .

Preparations were . . . made to advance upon Harrisburg; but on the night of the 28th, information was received from a scout that the Federal Army, having crossed the Potomac, was advancing northward, and that the head of the column had reached the South Mountain. As our communications with the Potomac were thus menaced, it was resolved to prevent his farther progress in that direction by concentrating our army on the east side of the mountains. Accordingly, Longstreet and Hill were directed to proceed from Chambersburg to Gettysburg, to which point General Ewell was also instructed to march from Carlisle.

The leading division of Hill met the enemy in advance of Gettysburg on the morning of July 1. Driving back these troops to within a short distance of the town, he there encountered a larger force, with which two of his divisions became engaged, Ewell, coming up with two of his divisions by the Heidlersburg road, joined in the engagement. The enemy was driven through Gettysburg with heavy loss, including about 5,000 prisoners and several pieces of artillery. He retired to a high range of hills south and east of the town. The attack was not pressed that afternoon, the enemy's force being unknown, and it being considered advisable to await the arrival of the rest of our troops. Orders were sent back to hasten their march, and, in the meantime, every effort was made to ascertain the numbers and position of the enemy, and find the most favorable point of attack. It had not been intended to fight a general battle at such a distance from our base, unless attacked by the enemy, but, finding ourselves unexpectedly confronted by the Federal Army, it became a matter of difficulty to withdraw through the mountains with our large trains. At the same time, the country was unfavorable for collecting supplies while in the presence of the enemy's main body, as he was enabled to restrain our foraging parties by occupying the passes of the mountains with regular and local troops. A battle thus became in a measure, unavoidable. Encouraged by the successful issue of the engagement of the first day, and in view of the valuable results that would ensue from the defeat of the army of General Meade, it was thought advisable to renew the attack. . . .

The preparations for attack were not completed until the afternoon of the 2d. The enemy held a high and commanding ridge, along which he had massed a large amount of artillery. . . In front of General Longstreet the enemy held a position from which, if he could be driven, it was thought our artillery could be used to advantage in assailing the more elevated ground beyond, and thus enable us to reach the crest of the ridge. That officer was directed to endeavor to carry this position, while General Ewell attacked directly the high ground on the enemy's right, which had already been partially fortified. After a severe struggle, Longstreet succeeded in getting possession of and holding the desired ground. Ewell also carried some of the strong positions which he assailed and the result was such as to lead to the belief that he would ultimately be able to dislodge the enemy. The battle ceased at dark.

These partial successes determined me to continue the assault next day. Pickett, with three of his brigades, joined Longstreet for the following morning, and our batteries were moved forward to the positions gained by him the day before. The general plan of attack was unchanged excepting that one division and two brigades of Hill's corps were ordered to support Longstreet.

The enemy, in the meantime, had strengthened his lines with earthworks. The morning was occupied in necessary preparations and the battle recommenced in the afternoon of the 3d, and raged with great violence until sunset. Our troops succeeded in entering the advanced works of the enemy, and getting possession of some of his batteries, but our artillery having nearly expended its ammunition, the attacking columns became exposed to the heavy fire of the numerous batteries near the summit of the ridge, and, after a most determined and gallant struggle were compelled to relinquish their advantage, and fall back to their original positions with severe loss.

The conduct of the troops was all that I could desire or expect, and they deserve success so far as it can be deserved by heroic valor and fortitude. More may have been required of them than they were able to perform, but my admiration of their noble qualities and confidence in their ability to cope successfully with the enemy has suffered no abatement from the issue of this protracted and sanguinary conflict.

Owing to the strength of the enemy's position, and the reduction of our ammunition, a renewal of the engagement could not be hazarded, and the difficulty of procuring supplies rendered it impossible to continue longer where we were. Such of the wounded as were in condition to be removed, and part of the arms collected on the field, were ordered to Williamsport.

The army remained in Gettysburg during the 4th, and at night began to retire by the road to Fairfield, carrying with it about 4,000 prisoners. Nearly 2,000 had previously been paroled, but the enemy's numerous wounded that had fallen into our hands after the first and second day's engagements were left behind.

The highest praise is due to both officers and men for their conduct during the campaign. The privations and hardships of the march and camp were cheerfully encountered, and borne with a fortitude unsurpassed by our ancestors in their struggle for independence, while their courage in battle entitles them to rank with the soldiers of any army and of any time. Their forbearance and discipline under strong provocation to retaliate for the cruelty of the enemy to our own citizens, is not their least claim to the respect and admiration of their countrymen and of the world.

I forward returns of our loss in killed, wounded, and missing. Many of the latter were killed or wounded in the several assaults at Gettysburg, and necessarily left in the hands of the enemy. I cannot speak of these brave men as their merits and exploits deserve. Some of them are appropriately mentioned in the accompanying reports, and the memory of all will be gratefully and affectionately cherished by the people in whose defense they fell. There were captured at Gettysburg nearly 7,000 prisoners, of whom about 1,500 were paroled, and the remainder brought to Virginia. Seven pieces of artillery were also secured.

Respectfully submitted.
[From The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, vol. 27, part I (Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1889), pp. 114–19.]

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Larry Vandermolen, Irene Cheung - from 4e SG/site

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Primary Source: Robert E. Lee's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 31, 1863)

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HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA July 31, 1863 GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following outline of the recent operations of this army, for the information of the Department: The position occupied by the enemy opposite Fredericksburg being one in which he could not be attacked to advantage, it was determined to draw him from it.

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Pickett's Charge was the name given to a massive frontal assault on the Union lines on the afternoon of the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The charge on July 3, 1863, was ordered by Robert E. Lee, and was intended to smash through the federal lines and destroy the Army of the Potomac.

The long march across open fields by more than 12,000 troops led by General George Pickett has become a legendary example of battlefield heroism. Yet the attack failed, and as many as 6,000 Confederates were left dead or wounded.

In the following decades, Pickett's Charge became known as the "high water mark of the Confederacy." It seemed to mark the moment when the Confederacy lost any hope of winning the Civil War.

Following the failure to break the Union lines at Gettysburg, the Confederates were forced to end their invasion of the North, and to withdraw from Pennsylvania and retreat back to Virginia. The rebel army would never again mount a major invasion of the North.

It has never been entirely clear just why Lee ordered the charge by Pickett. There are some historians who contend that the charge was only part of Lee's battle plan that day, and a cavalry attack led by General J.E.B. Stuart which failed to accomplish its objective doomed the effort of the infantry.

The Third Day at Gettysburg

By the end of the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army seemed to be in control. A fierce Confederate attack late on the second day against Little Round Top had failed to destroy the Union's left flank. And on the morning of the third day the two enormous armies were facing each other and anticipating a violent conclusion to the great battle.

The Union commander, General George Meade, had some military advantages. His troops occupied high ground. And even after losing many men and officers on battle's first two days, he could still fight an effective defensive battle.

General Robert E. Lee had decisions to make. His army was in enemy territory, and had not struck a decisive blow to the Union's Army of the Potomac. One of his most capable generals, James Longstreet, believed the Confederates should head southward, and draw the Union into a battle on more favorable terrain.

Lee disagreed with Longstreet's assessment. He felt he had to destroy the Union's most powerful fighting force on northern soil. That defeat would resonate deeply in the North, cause citizens to lose faith in the war, and, Lee reasoned, would lead to the Confederacy winning the war.

And so Lee devised a plan that would have 150 cannons open fire with a massive artillery barrage lasting for nearly two hours. And then units commanded by General George Pickett, which had just marched up to the battlefield the day before, would go into action.

The Great Cannon Duel at Gettysburg

At about noon on July 3, 1863, approximately 150 Confederate cannons began shelling the Union lines. The federal artillery, about 100 cannons, replied. For nearly two hours the ground shook.

After the first few minutes, Confederate gunners lost their aim, and many shells began to sail beyond the Union lines. While the overshooting caused chaos in the rear, the front-line troops and Union heavy guns the Confederates hoped to destroy were left relatively unscathed.

The federal artillery commanders began to cease firing for two reasons: it led the Confederates to believe gun batteries had been put out of action, and it saved ammunition for the anticipated infantry attack.

The Infantry Charge

The Confederate infantry charge was centered around the division of General George Pickett, a proud Virginian whose troops had just arrived at Gettysburg and hadn't seen action yet. As they prepared to make their attack, Pickett addressed some of his men, saying, "Don't forget today, you are from old Virginia."

As the artillery barrage ended, Pickett's men, joined by other units, emerged from a line of trees. Their front was about a mile wide. About 12,500 men, arranged behind their regimental flags, began to march across the fields.

The Confederates advanced as if on parade. And the Union artillery opened up on them. Artillery shells designed to explode in the air and send shrapnel downward began to kill and maim advancing soldiers.

And as the line of Confederates kept advancing, the Union gunners switched to deadly canister shot, metal balls which tore into troops like gigantic shotgun shells. And as the advance still continued, the Confederates entered a zone where Union riflemen could fire into the charge.

"The Angle" and the "Clump of Trees" Became Landmarks

As the Confederates came close to the Union lines, they focused on a clump of trees that would become a grim landmark. Nearby, a stone wall made a 90 degree turn, and "The Angle" also became an iconic spot on the battlefield.

Despite the withering casualties, and the hundreds of dead and wounded left behind, several thousand Confederates reached the Union defensive line. Brief and intense scenes of combat, much of it hand to hand, occurred. But the Confederate attack had failed.

The attackers who survived were taken prisoner. The dead and wounded littered the field. Witnesses were stunned by the carnage. A mile of fields seemed covered with bodies.

Aftermath of Pickett's Charge

As survivors of the infantry charge made their way back to the Confederate positions, it was clear the battle had taken a massively bad turn for Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia. The invasion of the North had been stopped.

On the following day, July 4, 1863, both armies tended to their wounded. It seemed the Union commander, General George Meade, might order an attack to finish off the Confederates. But with his own ranks badly shattered, Meade thought better of that plan.

On July 5, 1863, Lee began his retreat back to Virginia. Union cavalry began operations to harass the fleeing southerners. But Lee was eventually able to travel across western Maryland and cross the Potomac River back into Virginia.

Pickett's charge, and the last desperate advance toward the "Clump of Trees" and "The Angle" had been, in a sense, where the offensive war by the Confederates had ended.

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Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg: High-Water Mark of the Confederacy

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Pickett's Charge was the name given to a massive frontal assault on the Union lines on the afternoon of the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. The charge on July 3, 1863, was ordered by Robert E. Lee, and was intended to smash through the federal lines and destroy the Army of the Potomac.

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Major General George E. Pickett, C.S.A. Known for the futile "Pickett's Charge" across open fields at Gettysburg into the teeth of the Union artillery, he was blamed for the loss of the "flower of the South." Many men died that day including descendants of George Washington. Pickett never recovered as a result of this debacle.

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Last Charge at Gettysburg Video - Civil War - HISTORY.com

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General Robert E. Lee disregards a basic principle of military strategy and orders his forces to attack Union troops perched on the high ground at Cemetary Ridge. Known as Pickett's Charge, the maneuver was a disastrous end to the three-day battle.

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Day Three: Pickett's Charge + Significance

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Day Three: Pickett's Charge + Significance

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The third and final day of the battle, General Lee devised a plan to attack the Unions center; this plan was carried out with majority of General George Pickett's troops, fifteen thousand in total. Pickett's troops could not break the Union line and in turn the attack infamously failed. This ended the battle of Gettysburg and Lee's army retreated to Virginia the following day, July fourth. The battle was one of the bloodiest with a loss of fifty thousand soldiers in total; it was also the last Confederate offense and became the turning point of the civil war in the Unions favor.

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The Union had assumed the position of a fish hook (as shown in the image to the near right). Casualties on both sides were high due to the fact that at least one flank from each side did not follow the original orders. On the Union side, Major General Sickles moved his fleet west of Cemetery Ridge onto Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, and Wheatfield without orders. Lieutenant General Longstreet's First Corps was to make the main attack on remaining Union troops, but due to poor communication the fighting on the Confederate side was delayed all the way to after four P.M. Once fighting began, the day has since been labeled the bloodiest fighting at Gettysburg with an eighty-two percent casualty rate; the Confederates still unable to break through against the Unions defense.

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The Battle of Gettysburg Video - American Civil War History - HISTORY.com

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For three days in July 1863, Union and Confederate forces clash at Gettysburg in one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War.

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The Battle of Gettysburg was fought in three days time from July first to July third of eighteen-sixty-three near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On the first day the Confederate army, led by General Robert E. Lee marched across the Potomac River to get to Pennsylvania for their next attack on the North. They were soon met by the Union army which had recently been placed into the command of  General George G. Meade. The Union ended up retreating to higher ground onto Cemetery Hill; General Lee tried to stop this and ordered the Lieutenant General, Richard Ewell, to "attack and seize" the hill but he was hesitant to do so which led to the Confederates loss of advantage during the battle. According to CivilWar.org, Ewall decision was "...one of the great lost opportunities at Gettysburg."