Narrated Battle Vignettes
The Confederates were pushing toward the gap in the Union line. Union General Hancock had sent for reinforcements but they would not arrive soon enough. All he had to plug the gap stood before him. "My God, are these all the men we have?" exclaimed Hancock, "What regiment is this?" It was the 1st Minnesota, and they were outnumbered at least 6 to 1. Hancock ordered them to charge, and they lost 82% of the regiment to save the Union line.
The Charge of the 1st Minnesota
7th NJ - Heroic Actions After Difficult Situations
The 7th NJ Volunteer Regiment, was heavily shelled twice, at two different locations, while waiting to do their part in the day's fighting. Then they were run thru by a hastily retreating battery, dividing the regiment into two disorganized wings; before reorganizing and embarking on a heroic but futile charge against Barksdale.
Coming Soon
Six Union batteries had some or all of their guns captured by the Confederates on Day 2. All but a few of those guns were recovered by Union regiments before the day's end. Many different units were credited with the "recoveries", and in most cases multiple units claimed recovery of the same battery. This video documents those recoveries and sheds light on why so many claimed credit.
NEW! Hart's Battery - Lt. Knox earns the Congressional MOH
Lt. Edward Knox's galloping approach has carried his battery section 100 yards beyond the main artillery line. This advanced position results in circumstances that lead to actions for which he earms the Congressional MOH. Fighting at close range against Kershaw's left wing, his quick thinking saves his men and when Kershaw's men make a fatal move he heroically goes back into action.
NEW! Brown's Battery - Chaos on Gettysburg Day 2 at Brown's Gate
After spending the bulk of the day behind the Copse of Trees stone wall, Brown's battery is advanced forward to an area that will be hotly contested. The Confederates soon overwhelm the supporting infantry and overrun Brown's position. Two guns are captured, four barely escape. One of those four gets hung up crossing back across the wall thru the now famous "Brown's Gate". This video shows all the action of Brown's battery late in the afternoon of Day 2.
Hall's battery's fighting while on West McPherson ridge on the morning of July 1st was courageous. Racing to the aid of Buford's cavalry, they duel with Rebel batteries for over a half an hour before nearly being overrun by hidden Confederates skirmishers suddenly emerging from the Railroad Cut. After driving them back Hall is subsequently assailed by Davis' regiments who have driven back their supporting 1st Corp infantry.
Why Many Units Claimed Recovery of the Same Batteries
NEW! Hall's Battery - Early Defenders of the Railroad Cut : Decimated for Their Efforts
NEW! Berdan's Firefight in Pitzer Woods - Gettysburg Day 2
General Sickles had been fretting over his assigned position all morning on Day 2. After Buford's cavalry leaves the area there is an urgent need for a reconnaissance of Pitzer Woods on Seminary Ridge to the west. Colonel Hiram Berdan got the order to take his demi-brigade of sharpshooters and infantry to reconnoiter there. The stage was set for a brisk and brief, yet significant, firefight in those woods.
