From
“Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst
July 3
‘The
Battle of Gettysburg culminated on July 3 with Pickett’s charge: leaving the
cover of nearly woods, close to 15,000 battle-hardened veterans just beyond the
range of what proved to be withering Yankee artillery began marching in
formation toward Cemetery Ridge a little more than a mile away across a vast
open field. The field itself was relatively flat but became increasingly steep
the closer they got to their destination. Also, as they got closer and closer,
relentless Yankee artillery tore gaping holes in those formations, yet on they
continued to march. Only when they got within a few hundred yards did they
break into a run. Some actually made it all the way to Cemetery Ridge and
engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, but by then their original numbers
had been blasted off the field and were a mere few hundred. The break in the
Yankee line on Cemetery Ridge, such as it was, was quickly filled in, the few
Rebels who reached that far were either killed or taken prisoner. The Battle of
Gettysburg was effectively over.’
-
Arnold Kunst
‘Let
us make a dent in the universe.’
-
Steve Jobs
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