Gettysburg

July 1, 1863, the first day of the watershed battle unfolded. Robert E. Lee had moved his army up into Pennsylvania. He was feeding off the land and so it was dispersed when word came that the Army of the Potomac under the newly promoted general Meade was concentrating to his rear. He ordered his army to concentrate drawing it together like the clenching of a fist, each had instructions not to bring on a general battle. Lee found himself without his great cavalry commander, the flamboyant Jeb Stuart. Although he had several brigades of cavalry at his disposal, he missed Stuart's ability to sow chaos and see opportunities in Union positions.

The Union cavalry had been used piece meal and ineffectively was newly inspired by reorganization, refitting as well as tactical improvements. Two brigades of Northern cavalry were posted in front of the small town of Gettysburg. Commanded by General Buford he saw the strategic town was a crossroads and determined that the Union should take the best ground there.

Lee's army short on supplies as always had heard that shoes were in Gettysburg and General Hill determined to take them. As he came up the road he ran right into Buford's men with their breech loaded carbines, a dramatic improvement over muzzle loaders. The cavalry put up a ferocious defense dismounted, outnumbered three to one. Worse than that one in four was holding the horses. Just as things began to look dire, up came General Reynolds with his Union corps, including the hard fighting 'Iron brigade' that never backed down.

Troops from both sides were now marching to the sound of the guns, Lee's request not to have a general battle had long since been abandoned. Four Southern divisions launched themselves against the Union positions that included Howard's 11th corps. The 11th corps made a sad career of being overrun in virtually every engagement, most recently at Chancellorsville. Today was no exception, and yet the Southern army came up somewhat short at Cemetery hill. Lee gave orders to take it 'if practicable' but Ewell, recently promoted to take Stonewall Jackson's place demurred. Both sides spent the night bringing up as many reinforcements as they could muster.