Excuse Me History

Jeb Stuart's cavalry struggles to find the main body of the Army of Northern Virginia after it crosses the Potomac and repeatedly clashes with Union cavalry and militia on the road to Gettysburg. Over the night and early morning of July 2nd and 3rd George Meade holds a council of war with his top lieutenants. Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet plan another assault, and George Pickett's division arrives in Gettysburg. 

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While the Confederates attacked the Union left flank, General Richard Ewell launches his own assault against the Union right flank. An artillery duel is followed by fierce fighting at Culp's and Cemetery Hills that lasts until well after nightfall.

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The Confederate attack on July 2nd continues. Barksdale's brigade captures the Peach Orchard, the rest of McLaws's division seizes the Wheatfield, and Fighting Dick Anderson's division assaults Cemetery Ridge, but the timely arrival of the Pennsylvania Reserves, the 2nd Vermont Brigade, and the 1st Minnesota save the Union center and left.

After attacking the Devil's Den (successfully) and Little Round Top (unsuccessfully), the Confederates continue their assault again the tenuous Union defensive line on July 2. General Lafayette McLaws sends his four brigades in attack against Union positions on the Stony Hill, the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard. In this episode I also discuss the Civil War phenomenon known as "presentiment", the Irish Brigade (and more broadly the Irish in the Civil War), and General Dan Sickles's favorite leg.

The Battle of Gettysburg continues on July 2 when Longstreet launches an assault on the Union left. Hood's division attacks Birney's division at the Devil's Den and Vincent's brigade at Little Round Top. 

This episode covers the first half of July 2, 1863. After both armies regroup and rest Robert E. Lee plans an attack, George Meade arrives at Gettysburg, and Dan Sickles disobeys orders and advances to the Peach Orchard.

The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg continues! The Confederates renew their attack on the Union defenses in the afternoon of July 1, the Union soldiers hold until they don't, and Robert E. Lee misses a great opportunity. 

After nearly a month of marching and skirmishing, the Battle of Gettysburg begins on July 1, 1863. This episode covers the first half of the first day's fight including General Henry Heth's attack of General John Buford's cavalry west of town, the arrival and tragic exit of General John Reynolds, General Robert E. Lee's frustration, and General George Meade's alternate Pipe Creek battleplan. Also, what's the deal with Gettysburg and shoes?

Joseph Hooker bows out of the campaign, the Confederates occupy Pennsylvania, and George Meade takes command of the Army of the Potomac.

Part five of the Gettysburg Campaign focuses on the Second Battle of Winchester, a few minor cavalry battles in the Loudoun Valley, and the crisis in the Union high command.