Battle Of Gettysburg - The First Day

[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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Screen 67.

5.40pm

Brig.Gen Lane has lost two of his regiments to routing, while Thomas loses one and is deadlocked in position. Fortunately, Pender's remaining two brigades are more victorious. Scales is able to give some assistance to Thomas' attack while Perrin deals death to the depleted yankee regiments facing him. general Lee hides his anxiousness and keeps a steady tone of voice, when asked by General Hill of his current opinion of the enemy's fortitude and ends by saying; " I do declare that the federals have a wind at their back to stop them from running.....! " Lee, stirred into activity orders Capt. Pegram to move his guns forward as their range is having minimal impact.


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Screen 68.

5.40pm

Pressure from Ramseur's brigade and shell have induced 7 yankee formations to flee. The rebels are forced to bunch up as the enemy defensive position is being slowly squeezed tighter. Another break in yankee morale will be disastrous for them. Their operational Commander, General Reynolds must soon make a choice to withdraw, or face wholesale destruction.

General Ewell is too perturbed by his infected leg to voice any concern at the mounting losses. " We'll press and take Gettysburg within less than 2 hours,.... for that is my intent, ....and declaration to General Lee,..... and I have little want to be bathed in falsehood...... ! " Colonel Kenan's 43rd North Carolina regiment has put paid to a yankee gun section with infantry before the Almshouse, so denuding the enemy defence capability.



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Victory Point Table.

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[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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6.00pm

Brig.Gen Lane has managed to reform 3 of his regiments and is leading them back to the fray. The remnant of his command has broken ranks, thus leaving Thomas against the Seminary ridge, alone. Two of Anderson's brigades are moving onto the McPherson ridge; first blood being shed by the 8th Alabama regiment of Wilcox's brigade, who took a single yankee gun easily by surprise.

Screen 70.

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6.00pm

Another 5 federal units have fled; while the constriction of the yankee line continues. A successful assault on the Almshouse position has put paid to any attempt by the enemy to stem the tide of rebels washing over them. There is a palpable change in the demeanour of the enemy units who respond half-heartedly as if waiting for the signal to withdraw.

Screen 71.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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Screen 72.

6.20pm

Forward elements of Anderson's division are deploying along the southern section of McPherson's ridge. joining Lane's southern flank are the brigades of Mahone, Wright and Wilcox. The sight of these new formations should make the yankees think twice about holding their current position. Lt. Gen James Longstreet has arrived at Lee's Headquarters, waiting for his return.



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Screen 73.

6.20pm

General Rodes' and Early's divisions press forward, giving the enemy little chance of small respite. Gordon has led a strong assault against the Crauford House, but paid with his life, due to a head wound. More enemy troops run back through the empty streets of Gettysburg, while a further large mass congregates on the eastern fringe; waiting for ammunition re-supply. The union 73rd Ohio regiment is cut off from their main line , firing desperately in all directions.

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Screen 74.

6.40pm

Pegram's guns begin to deploy on the western side of the Willoughby Run stream. Anderson's forward brigades deploy near the selfsame stream and are immediately engaged in a firefight by the yankee defenders on the ridge. General Anderson will hold off for a while until rebel guns open up to the north. volleys at distance keep the yankees snucked up close behind the trees.
( Note: The single federal gun battery on Seminary ridge has been using opportunity fire against Anderson's brigades as they have been moving south to an annoying degree - 4 or 5 batteries would be ultra - annoying ).

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Screen 75.

6.40pm

Colonel Thomas Smith takes command of Gordon's brigade. The enemy defence is being slowly cut into allowing greater firepower to be unleashed at all angles.Brig. Gen Hays Louisiana brigade marches south to increase the pressure on the union right and prevent any counter thrust against the main assault.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.


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Township Of Gettysburg. View from the west............................

Screen 76.

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7.00pm

Wilcox's brigade has reached the tree-line of the southernmost part of Seminary ridge, meeting no resistance. Mahone and Wright's brigades are met with a shower of volleys and are forced to stop and reply in kind. Posey's brigade is closing up from the rear. General Anderson rubs his eyes to make out the northern attack properl,y as the lighting conditions have changed dramatically within the last 10 minutes. Brig. Gen Thomas renews his attack against stiff opposition south-west of the Theological Seminary. Tired and dirty faces force themselves to greater exertion , while the shadows of buildings and trees grow longer.....

The 1st South Carolina Rifles regiment of Perrin's brigade finally appears.....


Screen 77.

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7.00pm.

The Union General, Hancock, on entering the south side of Gettysburg, is immediately surrounded by a mass of fleeing blue uniforms, who take little notice of him. As he rides to the eastern side of town, he is dismayed to see a large horde of Union infantry moving to the rear in a haphazard fashion. Upon enquiring as to their provenance; a sub lieutenant explains that they are out of ammunition, even though there are a steady line of supply wagons in the near distance. Having had only limited capacity; the ammunition has run out. The federal forces north of Gettysburg hold on grimly and pray for darkness to overwhelm them. Those who take some respite to wipe their faces of dirt and smoke, watch anxiously as the sun displays just behind the tops of the trees.




Screen 78.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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7.20pm

The Seminary ridge has been all but taken from the enemy. Only a few delaying units of yankee infantry seek to contest the ground. General Lee greets General Longstreet with expectation. Longstreet's Corps is closed up well, but will only arrive by early morning of the following day. A rider from Anderson requests further orders.

Screen 79.

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7.20pm

The enemy before Perrin and Doles' brigades have thinned out considerably. Death of middle rank, yankee officers may be leading to a wholesale lack of co-ordination, which added to by a complete mismanagement by the quarter master of ordinance of supply trains ( Mr A.I ); has left almost 2 yankee divisions on low ammo; hence the need to withdraw. Jenkin's confederate cavalry will test the far right of the yankee line and try to capture some unwary blue-bellies.


Screen 80.

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Victory Point Dialog.

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[Marshal Lannes]

Battle Of Gettysburg - The First Day

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7.40pm

Sporadic fighting continues beyond the Seminary ridge; Anderson checks his pocket watch as he views the enemy withdrawing to the hills beyond. General Johnston's 2nd Division moves towars the north of Gettysburg.

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7.40pm

The yankees still fight in the built up buildings area of Gettysburg. They do not look like they mean to give up the town this early. Hay's Louisiana brigade halts to not go beyond their flank support.

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[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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8.00pm.

General Anderson watches the enemy streaming back to the hills south-east of Gettysburg. Darkness now falls rapidly , illuminated by some firing in small pockets. The yankees have been blessed by the elements and timing, this day.

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8.00pm.

Fighting in Gettysburg continues from house to house. The rebels yell loudly to spook the enemy and mock their futile attempt to hold on and protract a useless struggle.................

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[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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Screen 85.

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Screen 86.

9.00pm.

Fighting before the Seminary ridge has stopped completely. General Anderson can just about see clumps of shadowy figures withdrawing to the hills beyond.

The noise of battle still rages in the centre of Gettysburg, but is slowly dying down as the enemy slowly withdraw, to be replaced by the howling of stray hounds enlivened by all the noise and smell.......

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Screen 87.

General George Meade arrives on the battle-map................

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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Anderson's 1st Division. OOB (1)

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Anderson's 1st Division. OOB. (2)

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Anderson's 1st Division. OOB. (3)


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[Marshal Lannes]

Battle of Gettysburg 1st July 1863.

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Screen 91.


That's enough warring for the moment.....time for smiley's........ For those of you dead from the neck-up and waist down,.........use the middle bit....:whist::vegguitar::bandrum::bounce:

[video=youtube_share;w1P76BZfgn8]http://youtu.be/w1P76BZfgn8[/video]