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#OTDIH: The first day of the #BattleofGettysburg during the American Civil War took place and began as an engagement between isolated units and escalated into a major battle that culminated in the Union forces retreating to the high ground south of Gettysburg, PA.
7:30 am: First shot fired intersection of Knoxlyn Rd and US Rt. 30 Chambersburg Pike by the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Gen. John Buford’s cavalry division, against Major General Henry Heth’s division of A. P. Hill’s corps as they march towards Gettysburg.
#BattleofGettysburg
#BattleofGettysburg
10:30 am: Major General John Reynolds and two brigades of the Union First Corps infantry arrive and join the line along McPherson Ridge.
A bullet would kill Reynolds and Major General Abner Doubleday would take command of the Union First Corps.
#BattleofGettysburg
A bullet would kill Reynolds and Major General Abner Doubleday would take command of the Union First Corps.
#BattleofGettysburg
2:00 pm: Where the Eternal Light Peace Memorial now stands, Confederate Major General Robert Rhode’s division launches an attack.
With five brigades, it’s the largest division in either army.
#BattleofGettysburg
With five brigades, it’s the largest division in either army.
#BattleofGettysburg
4:00 pm: Jubal Early’s division of Ewell’s corps arrive from the northeast on Harrisburg Rd and cause the right flank of the Eleventh Corps, two small divisions known as the Dutch Corps, to buckle.
This sets off a chain reaction down the 2 mile Union line.
#BattleofGettysburg
This sets off a chain reaction down the 2 mile Union line.
#BattleofGettysburg
The First and Eleventh Corps retreat through town to Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill.
Major General Oliver Otis Howard, one-armed commander of the Eleventh Corps, had
reserved a third smaller division to fortify Cemetery Hill incase of retreat
#BattleofGettysburg
Major General Oliver Otis Howard, one-armed commander of the Eleventh Corps, had
reserved a third smaller division to fortify Cemetery Hill incase of retreat
#BattleofGettysburg
5:00 pm: Confederates appear to have won, but to complete the job, Lee tells Ewell, whose third division is arriving, to attack Cemetery Hill “if practicable.”
Ewell decides against it.
#BattleofGettysburg
Ewell decides against it.
#BattleofGettysburg
After midnight: Union General Meade arrives
He decides to stay and fight the next day from the strong defensive position.
More than 50,000 men would fall during the #BattleofGettysburg, a scale of suffering never seen before or since on American soil.
He decides to stay and fight the next day from the strong defensive position.
More than 50,000 men would fall during the #BattleofGettysburg, a scale of suffering never seen before or since on American soil.
