Addressing Gettysburg

Gettysburg history is HOT this week. Once you dig deep into the Battle of Gettysburg, one thing leads to another. Today, we are led to WEATHER! ***A brief departure from Ask A Gettysburg Guide for the 163rd Anniversary week*** Was the Battle of Gettysburg even more miserable than we've been led to believe? In this episode of Addressing Gettysburg, we're joined by Jeffrey J. Harding, licensed battlefield guide, and Jon M. Nese, meteorologist, co-authors of The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign. Their book takes a fresh look at the Gettysburg Campaign through something every soldier experienced but most battlefield narratives don't fully explore: the weather. Heat, humidity, storms, mud, swollen rivers, brutal marches, and suffocating battlefield conditions all shaped what happened before, during, and after the fighting at Gettysburg. Using historic accounts, 19th-century weather observations, and modern meteorological reconstruction, Harding and Nese reveal how extreme conditions affected strategy, endurance, movement, morale, and survival during the campaign. From heat indexes that may have reached staggering levels to the torrential July 4th rains that complicated Lee's retreat, this conversation shows that Gettysburg's weather was not just background scenery. It was an active force in the campaign. Was Gettysburg hot as hell? Yes. But the real story is even more interesting.

📖 Book featured in this episode: The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign by Jon M. Nese and Jeffrey J. Harding

🔴 163 Gettysburg Anniversary: The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign - Jeffrey Harding & Jon Nese June 29 2026 Topics Discussed: The study of weather in 1863 Finding the source documents for weather observers in 1863 Instruments used by weather observers Rebuilding weather maps What is Sun Temperature? How cloudy was it during the battle Using soldiers accounts to help determine the weather June heatwave Previous interest in history for Jon and Jeff Purpose of studying weather in 19th century How did the rain on July 4th and 5th effect the weather? Have weather patterns changed from 19th century? The reliability of the Farmer's Almanac Show References: The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign - Jeffrey J Harding & Jon M Nese Civil War Weather in Virginia - Robert K Krick The Weather at Gettysburg - Weatherwise Magazine 1960 Vol 13 Issue 3 - David Leedlum Philadelphia Area Weather Book - Jon M Nese & Glenn Schwartz National oceanic and atmospheric administration https://www.noaa.gov An Environmental History of the Civil War - Judkin Browning & Timothy Silver The Medical And Surgical History Of The War Of The Rebellion (1861-65)

Support the Show: For the Historian https://forthehistorian.webstoreplace.com - Mention Addressing Gettysburg to get 20% off JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg HELP PRODUCE CREATIVE HISTORY VIDEOS www.dhpioneers.com Addressing Gettysburg: Little Ground Top Coffee https://www.addressinggettysburg.com/cafe/ Sincerely, Jeffrey Pasnik AG LOTY 2025 Subscribe for more conversations about Gettysburg, the Civil War, battlefield history, and the stories you don't always hear in the textbooks.

Gettysburg history just gets more and more fascinating the deeper and deeper you dig. Try this one on for size. ***A brief departure from Ask A Gettysburg Guide for the 163rd Anniversary week*** Last year, one of our Patrons suggested we interview his friend Jim Smith, known as **"The Yankee Drummer Boy,"** about his work as a living historian and his remarkable tribute to Civil War history.

🔴163 Gettysburg Anniversary: The Yankee Drummer Boy with Jim Smith June 28, 2026

In this episode: Special thanks to Patron Rich Snyder for arranging this interview and bringing his friend Jim Smith to the studio. 50 years after marching to Gettysburg, beating his drum, to fight the battle, Peter Guibert marched again. This time from Pittsburgh to Gettysburg, still beating his drum. 100 years after that, Jim Smith recreated Guibert's route. Join me as I chat with Jim about Civil War martial music, drumming, Guibert and a host of other things.

Discussion Topics: Peter Guibert 1913 march from Pittsburgh to Gettysburg reunion Finding Peter Guibert's name on Pennsylvania Monument Recalling Jim's first trip to Gettysburg The use of drums at President Kennedy's Funeral Peter Guibert's Civil War Drum Reconditioning an old drum Difference in sound from a brass shell and a wood shell Jim retracing Peter Guibert's march from Pittsburgh to Gettysburg Stories from the march The power of the drum calls The use of bands in the Civil War Types of drums and their construction Origin of TAPS and the difference of how it was played in the 18th and 19th century Playing of reveille The rudiments of learning the drum The old drum and fife performance vs modern depictions Jim meeting and playing with Santana References: Elizabeth Thorn of Gettysburg: The Wartime Caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery - Kathryn Porch and Sue Boardman Bivouac of the Dead - Theodore O'Hara National Cemetery Administration (.gov)https://www.cem.va.gov"Bivouac of the Dead" poem by Theodore O'Hara Vantage Point, The Perspectives On The Presidency 1963-1969 - Lyndon B. Johnson The Drummers' and Fifers' Guide - George Bruce and Dan Emmett Howe's United States Regulation Drum and Fife Instructor - Elias Howe THE GRAND ARMY BLUE-BOOK: Containing the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Official Decisions and Opinions Thereon, as Reported to and Approved By the National Encampment to September 13, 1901 HathiTrusthttps://catalog.hathitrust.orgCatalog Record: Ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic The Civil War - 1990 Ken Burns Documentary Series

Support the Show: For the Historian https://forthehistorian.webstoreplace.com - Mention Addressing Gettysburg to get 20% off Addressing Gettysburg Patreon: Join Today! www.patreon.comAddressing Gettysburg Addressing Gettysburg: Little Ground Top Coffee https://www.addressinggettysburg.com/cafe/ Sincerely, Jeffrey Pasnik AG LOTY 2025 Join the orginal and true GettysNerd(TM) Community and support the show here www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg Donate and receive a tax-deduction to support ambitious history video projects and more at the Digital History Pioneers Foundation www.dhpioneers.com

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What happened at the Battle of Gettysburg? In this special live episode of Addressing Gettysburg, Kevin Bryant, Codie Eash, Britt Isenberg, and Lewis Trott join Matt and an audience of 100 people for an engaging overview of the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most important battles of the American Civil War.

Recorded at the Totem Pole Playhouse, this program was created to introduce Playhouse members to the rich history of the Gettysburg area while also introducing the Addressing Gettysburg audience to the incredible work and offerings of the Totem Pole Playhouse.

This episode covers the major movements and key moments of the Battle of Gettysburg across all three days: July 1, July 2, and July 3, 1863. The discussion focuses especially on the fighting around the Lutheran Seminary on Seminary Ridge, now home to the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center. From the opening shots west of town to the climactic fighting on the final day, this program is designed to give newcomers a clear and accessible understanding of the battle.

After intermission, Codie Eash leads the audience through a powerful visual exercise demonstrating the devastating casualties suffered by the 1st Minnesota Infantry during the Battle of Gettysburg. Then, in true Addressing Gettysburg fashion, we open the floor to audience questions about Gettysburg, Civil War history, battlefield interpretation, and more.

If you are new to the Battle of Gettysburg, new to Civil War history, or looking for a clear overview of what happened at Gettysburg, this is the episode for you.

Special thanks to our sponsors and partners:

Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center https://www.seminaryridgemuseum.org/

The Gettysburg Foundation https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/

Totem Pole Playhouse https://totempoleplayhouse.org/

Digital History Pioneers Foundation https://dhpioneers.com/

Franklin County Visitors Bureau https://www.explorefranklincountypa.com/

Subscribe to Addressing Gettysburg for more conversations about the Battle of Gettysburg, Civil War history, battlefield preservation, Gettysburg tourism, and the people and places that keep this history alive.

#Gettysburg #BattleOfGettysburg #CivilWar #AmericanCivilWar #GettysburgHistory #AddressingGettysburg #SeminaryRidge #CivilWarHistory #GettysburgPA

Everyone's pal, Charlie Fennell, is back after a long absence. What better topic for Charlie's return than one related to Culp's Hill, more specifically, the actions of the brigade under Colonel Charles Candy. Join us LIVE on June 24th at 7pm EST SUPERCHATS of $10 or more get noticed in the comments and read on the air. Calling in is free 717-420-1978 or you can submit questions well in advance of the show by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg Support the show and receive a tax write off thrkufh The Digital History Pioneers Foundation at www.dhpioneers.com

As we've always said, Gettysburg history is fascinating. Today, LBG Ralph Siegel has decided to tak your questions about ANYTHING you've wanted to know about the Battle of Gettysburg. That's right, it's an open-ended Ask A Gettysburg Guide, reminiscent of the early days when we didn't do one topic per show. Because viewers were allowed to ask anything, Ralph addresses several highly specific tactical decisions and long-standing controversies: 1. Dan Sickles and the July 2nd Vanguard: A listener question sparks a debate over Major General Daniel Sickles' controversial decision to move his Third Corps out of line and forward into the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield. Ralph dissects whether this move unauthorizedly broke Meade's line or accidentally acted as a critical speedbump that blunted the Confederate assault. The Culps Hill vs. Cemetery Hill Logistics: The stream touches on the desperate fighting on the Union right flank on the night of July 2nd, analyzing how close the Confederates actually came to cutting off the Baltimore Pike—the Union army's lifeline. Lee's Aggression vs. Longstreet's Caution: Ralph tackles the evergreen debate over the July 3rd strategy. He weighs Robert E. Lee's insistence on a grand frontal assault (Pickett's Charge) against James Longstreet's alternative proposals to swing south around the Union flank to find better defensive ground. Meade's Pursuit Post-July 3rd: Ralph addresses the frequent criticism that General George Meade was "too cautious" in letting Lee escape back across the Potomac River. He breaks down the physical exhaustion of the Union troops, the torrential rains, and the heavily fortified Confederate lines at Williamsport that made a direct Union attack highly risky. 2. Niche History & The Human Element The Post-Battle Nightmare: The show moves past high strategy to look at the immediate aftermath of July 4th. Ralph paints a vivid picture of the logistical crisis facing the town of Gettysburg—dealing with tens of thousands of wounded men, burning thousands of dead horses, and the immediate arrival of grieving families looking for their loved ones. Regimental Spotlights: Ralph takes specific questions regarding lesser-known regiments and their unique monument locations on the field, explaining the nuances of how modern visitors can "read" the battle lines just by looking at where monuments face. 3. The Philosophy of Battlefield Guiding Ralph offers a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous process of becoming a Licensed Battlefield Guide (LBG). He notes how modern research and newly digitized soldier letters are constantly changing our understanding of the three days, forcing guides to continuously debunk 150-year-old myths (such as the idea that the battle was fought over a random supply of shoes). Superchats of $10 or more ensure that your comment related to this episode's topic is read and answered on the air. You can ask a question for free by calling 717-420-1978 during the show or leaving a voicemail ahead of time if you can't catch the how live. But the best way to help support the show and make sure your question is seen by our guest while he or she is preparing for the show is to become a Patron and submit your questions well in advance. www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg Equipment upkeep and replacement is made possible by our monthly small-dollar donations to our non-profit partner, The Digital History Pioneers Foundation at www.dhpioneers.com

Dr. Miller and Matt discuss some of the ghastly wounds soldiers sustained at the Battle of Gettysburg.

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June 20, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. Brigadier General Francis Barlow July 1, 1863 Led by LBG Lewis Trott Did Brigadier General Barlow's movement to Blocher's Knoll unnecessarily endanger the entire 11th Corps position on July 1, 1863? Or was the outcome a forgone conclusion no matter where Barlow placed his men that July afternoon?

On June 14, 1863, US Major General John Adams Dix received the following directive from General-in-Chief Henry Halleck: "All your available force should be concentrated to threaten Richmond, by seizing and destroying their railroad bridges over the South and North Anna Rivers, and do them all the damage possible." With General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia marching toward Gettysburg and only a limited Confederate force guarding Richmond, Halleck sensed a rare opportunity for the Union cause.

In response, Dix, who had lived a life of considerable public service but possessed limited military experience, gathered his men and began a slow advance. During the ensuing operation, 20,000 US troops would threaten the Confederate capital and seek to cut the railroads supplying Lee's army in Pennsylvania. To some, Dix's campaign presented a tremendous chance for US forces to strike hard at Richmond while Lee was off in Pennsylvania. To others, it was an unnecessary lark that tied up units deployed more effectively in protecting Washington and confronting Lee's men on Northern soil.

In this study, Newsome offers an in-depth look into this little-known Federal advance against Richmond during the Gettysburg Campaign. The first full-length examination of Dix's venture, this volume not only delves into the military operations at the time, but also addresses concurrent issues related to diplomacy, US war policy, and the involvement of enslaved people in the Federal offensive.

Gettysburg's Southern Front also points to the often-unrecognized value in examining events of the US Civil War beyond the larger famous battles and campaigns. At the time, political and military leaders on both sides carefully weighed Dix's efforts at Richmond and understood that the offensive had the potential to generate dramatic results. In fact, this piece of the Gettysburg Campaign may rank as one of the Union war effort's more compelling lost opportunities in the East, one that could have changed the course of the conflict.

Stuart Dempsey is back and this time he's talking about an important brigade that was instrumental in saving the day for the Union position on East Cemetery Hill: Carroll's Brigade. Calling in is free 717-420-1978 or you can submit questions well in advance of the show by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg Support the show and receive a tax write off through The Digital History Pioneers Foundation at www.dhpioneers.com #gettysburg #battleofgettysburgpodcast #gettysburghistory #historyofgettysburg #addressinggettysburg #carrollsbrigade #eastcemeteryhill

Was it all Robert E. Lee's fault, as he claims? Or does it take two to tango? Codie Eash joins us to explore this topic of conversation.