Everything Everywhere Daily: The Battle of Gettysburg

Episode Release Date: March 17, 2025
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves deep into one of the most pivotal moments in American history—the Battle of Gettysburg. Taking place over three intense days in the summer of 1863, this battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, influencing the ultimate outcome of the conflict. Gary meticulously unpacks the strategic decisions, key figures, and the profound impact of Gettysburg on both the Confederate and Union forces.

Background Leading Up to Gettysburg

By the summer of 1863, the Confederate army, under General Robert E. Lee, was riding high on a series of battlefield victories. Having triumphed at Fredericksburg (December 1862) and Chancellorsville (May 1863), Lee's Army of Northern Virginia boasted approximately 75,000 men. Despite these successes, the Confederacy faced dire logistical challenges. As Gary explains, “Operation Anaconda had caused the Confederacy economic hardship, with blockades limiting trade and supplies to the rest of the world” (10:15).

Inflation soared, food shortages plagued the South, and internal divisions threatened Confederate unity. Moreover, while the Confederate forces excelled in the eastern theater, the western fronts, notably the siege of Vicksburg, were faltering. Lee recognized that despite high morale and recent victories, the Confederacy’s resources and manpower were dwindling compared to the Union's vast advantages.

Lee's Strategic Decision to Invade the North

Faced with a precarious situation, Lee made a bold decision to take the fight into Union territory. Gary outlines several motivations behind this move:

1. Shift the War Front: By moving north, Lee aimed to provide relief to Virginia, sparing it from further devastation and potentially boosting Southern food production.

2. Disrupt Union Supply Lines: Invading Pennsylvania would disrupt Northern logistics, forcing the Union to divert troops from other critical areas.

3. Political Maneuvers: A significant Confederate victory on Northern soil could demoralize the Union populace and political leadership, potentially encouraging foreign powers like Britain or France to recognize and support the Confederacy.

To execute this plan, Lee reorganized his army into three corps, led by Generals James Longstreet, Richard Ewell, and A.P. Hill, despite Hill's health issues.

The First Day: July 1, 1863

The Battle of Gettysburg commenced unexpectedly when Confederate forces under General Henry Heth sought supplies in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Gary narrates, “They encountered Union cavalry under Brigadier General John Buford, who had positioned his troops on the ridges to the west of Gettysburg to slow the Confederate advance” (17:45).

Key events of the first day include:

• Initial Skirmishes: Buford’s cavalry held strategic high ground, delaying the Confederate advance until Union reinforcements arrived.

• Union Leadership Loss: Major General John Reynolds was tragically killed near McPherson's Ridge, dealing a significant blow to Union command.

• Confederate Reinforcements: Generals A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell led additional Confederate troops, intensifying pressure on Union forces.

By evening, Confederate forces had driven Union troops back to Cemetery Hill, but Lee opted not to press the attack, allowing the Union to fortify their positions overnight. Gary highlights, “This decision allowed the Union forces to fortify their positions overnight, setting the stage for much larger and bloodier confrontations that would unfold over the next two days” (25:30).

The Second Day: July 2, 1863

On the second day, Lee aimed to break the Union defensive line, which stretched from Culp's Hill to Little Round Top. Gary explains the strategic layout: “Lee’s hope for a major breakthrough had not been realized” (35:20).

Key Engagements:

• Union Defensive Line: The Union army had solidified a strong defensive position, creating a fishhook-shaped line that was difficult to penetrate.

• Longstreet's Assault: Led by Lieutenant General James Longstreet, Confederate forces launched fierce attacks on the Union left flank, including Devil's Den and the wheat field. Intense combat resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

• Little Round Top: Perhaps the most crucial moment of the second day was the defense of Little Round Top by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine. Under extreme pressure, Chamberlain orchestrated a successful bayonet charge, repelling Confederate assaults and securing the Union flank. Gary notes, “Had Little Round Top fallen, the Confederate army might have been able to roll up the entire Union line on the right” (42:10).

• Ewell's Struggles: Lieutenant General Richard Ewell's attempts to attack Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill were hampered by coordination issues, preventing the Confederates from maintaining any significant gains.

By nightfall, the Union army maintained their fortified positions, and Lee's offensive ambitions for the day had stalled. Despite inflicting substantial casualties, the Confederates failed to achieve a decisive advantage.

The Third Day: July 3, 1863 – Pickett's Charge

Determined to deliver a conclusive blow, Lee devised a bold plan for the final day:

1. Artillery Bombardment: An intense cannonade was directed at the Union center along Cemetery Ridge. However, as Gary points out, “much of the bombardment overshot its targets, leaving the Union defenses largely intact” (50:45).

2. Infantry Assault: Approximately 12,500 Confederate soldiers, led by Major General George Pickett, advanced in what would become known as Pickett's Charge. The men marched nearly a mile under unforgiving Union artillery and rifle fire.

Outcome:

• Devastating Losses: Only a fraction of Pickett's men breached the Union stone wall, and those who did were swiftly repelled in brutal hand-to-hand combat. As the charge collapsed, Confederate casualties soared.

• Leadership Response: When Lee ordered Pickett to rally his division, Pickett famously replied, “General, I have no division” (58:30), underscoring the catastrophic failure of the assault.

Faced with enormous losses, Lee abandoned his hopes for victory at Gettysburg and initiated a retreat back to Virginia that very evening.

Aftermath and Significance

The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in staggering casualties: over 28,000 for the Confederates and approximately 23,000 for the Union. While both sides suffered heavily, the impact was disproportionately detrimental to the South, which lacked the population and industrial capacity of the North.

Gary emphasizes the broader implications: “Gettysburg marked a turning point in the civil war. Lee's defeat ended his ability to wage offensive campaigns in the north combined with the fall of Vicksburg” (65:20). The Union victory at Gettysburg, coupled with successes elsewhere, began the gradual decline of the Confederate war effort, culminating in the eventual Union triumph after two more grueling years of conflict.

Notable Quotes

• Gary Arndt on Confederate Logistics: “Operation Anaconda had caused the Confederacy economic hardship, with blockades limiting trade and supplies to the rest of the world.” (10:15)

• Gary Arndt on Little Round Top: “Had Little Round Top fallen, the Confederate army might have been able to roll up the entire Union line on the right.” (42:10)

• Pickett's Retort: “General, I have no division.” (58:30)

Conclusion

Gary Arndt's detailed exploration of the Battle of Gettysburg offers listeners a vivid portrayal of the strategic maneuvers, intense combat, and profound ramifications of this historic clash. By weaving together tactical analysis with personal anecdotes and expert insights, Gary provides a comprehensive understanding of why Gettysburg stands as a monumental turning point in the American Civil War.

Produced by Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Austin Okun and Cameron Kiefer

Note: This summary excludes the podcast’s advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the educational material presented.