The Battle of Gettysburg Begins

Summary

History Daily Podcast Summary: "The Battle of Gettysburg Begins"

Introduction: Setting the Stage On July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg commenced, marking a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. Hosted by Lindsey Graham, the episode delves into the intricate events leading up to this monumental clash, providing listeners with a vivid portrayal of the strategies, personalities, and circumstances that shaped the battle.

The Siege of Chancellorsville Lindsey Graham opens by transporting us to May 1863 at Chancellor House in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Here, a poignant story unfolds involving 14-year-old Sue Chancellor, whose home is commandeered by Union General Joseph Hooker as his headquarters during the Battle of Chancellorsville. As Confederate forces surround the house, Sue and her family endure the chaos of warfare:

"Sue prays the cellar will be enough to protect them" (00:00).

Despite the family's escape, their home is destroyed, symbolizing the broader devastation of the war. This narrative sets the emotional backdrop for the strategic maneuvers that follow.

Robert E. Lee's Bold Strategy Following the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee is emboldened to take his army of Northern Virginia into Union territory. In a crucial meeting with Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 14, 1863, Lee presents his ambitious plan:

"A victory on Northern soil will demonstrate to President Abraham Lincoln that major Union cities like Washington, Philadelphia, and New York are not safe." (05:20).

Despite concerns from Davis about overextension, Lee's confidence and recent successes persuade the Confederate leadership to approve the invasion, setting the stage for the Gettysburg Campaign.

Union Leadership Changes and Preparation As Lee maneuvers north, Union General Joseph Hooker becomes increasingly anxious. After a minor Confederate skirmish in Pennsylvania, Hooker's hesitation and request for additional troops reflect his lack of confidence:

"General Hooker panics." (12:24).

President Abraham Lincoln, dissatisfied with Hooker's reluctance, dismisses him and appoints Major General George Meade as the new commander of the Army of the Potomac on June 27, 1863. Meade, a Pennsylvania native, is determined to confront Lee's forces:

"Meade is certain that those are the reasons Lincoln has called on him to face down the invading rebels." (12:24).

The March to Gettysburg By late June, Lee's army, now bolstered to nearly 75,000 men, begins its advance into Pennsylvania. Utilizing strategic deception, Lee conceals his true intentions, marching through Virginia under the cover of darkness on June 3, 1863:

"General Lee chooses a path through Virginia that won't immediately indicate that he's bound for Union territory." (05:20).

Union forces, still reeling from previous defeats, scramble to locate Lee's movements but remain largely unaware of his exact plans until the Confederate army commits to Pennsylvania.

First Day of Battle: July 1, 1863 As dawn breaks on July 1, Confederate General Henry Heath leads over 7,000 troops toward Gettysburg, primarily seeking supplies. Misjudging the Union forces in the area, Heath anticipates an easy victory:

"Heath understands that the only Union soldiers in the area are a small number of ragtag militiamen." (19:09).

However, the encounter quickly escalates when Union cavalry unexpectedly engages Heath's men. Despite initial resistance, the Confederates gain the upper hand, especially after Union General John Reynolds arrives with reinforcements. Tragically, Reynolds is mortally wounded within minutes of his arrival:

"Within 15 minutes of arriving at the battlefield, Reynolds takes a bullet to the head." (19:09).

This loss throws the Union forces into disarray, allowing Lee's reinforcements to press the advantage and push the Union lines back by the day's end.

Shift in Momentum: Arrival of George Meade Late into the first day, Union Major General George Meade arrives with additional troops. Unlike Hooker, Meade is resolute and refuses to retreat:

"Meade sends out calls for roughly 90,000 more men to join the fight at Gettysburg." (19:09).

His steadfast leadership galvanizes the Union army, transforming the tide of battle over the next two days.

The Turning Point and Aftermath Over the subsequent two days, intense fighting ensues, culminating in a decisive Union victory. Lee's army is forced to retreat, marking a significant blow to Confederate morale and military standing:

"The Union victory shatters Robert E. Lee's reputation as being invincible." (19:09).

The Battle of Gettysburg results in unprecedented casualties, exceeding 50,000, making it the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. This staggering loss underscores the war's brutality and the high stakes involved.

Consequences and Legacy The outcome of Gettysburg serves as a critical turning point in the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln capitalizes on the victory in his famed Gettysburg Address, reinforcing the Union cause and the fight for national unity:

"Four and a half months later, President Lincoln uses the victory in his Gettysburg Address to serve as a rallying cry for the Union army and Northern cause." (19:09).

Lee's failed invasion signifies the waning power of the Confederacy, steering the South away from offensive strategies and setting the stage for the eventual Union triumph two years later.

Conclusion: The Path to Union Victory Lindsey Graham concludes by reflecting on the enduring impact of the Battle of Gettysburg. While the war continued to rage, the battle's outcome established a clear trajectory toward Union victory, reshaping the nation's future and commemorating the sacrifices of those who fought.

"The path towards the eventual victory for the Union was set in motion when the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863." (19:09).

Notable Quotes:

• "Sue prays the cellar will be enough to protect them." – Lindsey Graham (00:00)
• "A victory on Northern soil will demonstrate to President Abraham Lincoln that major Union cities like Washington, Philadelphia, and New York are not safe." – Robert E. Lee, as narrated by Lindsey Graham (05:20)
• "Meade is certain that those are the reasons Lincoln has called on him to face down the invading rebels." – Lindsey Graham (12:24)
• "Within 15 minutes of arriving at the battlefield, Reynolds takes a bullet to the head." – Lindsey Graham (19:09)
• "The Union victory shatters Robert E. Lee's reputation as being invincible." – Lindsey Graham (19:09)
• "The path towards the eventual victory for the Union was set in motion when the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863." – Lindsey Graham (19:09)

Final Thoughts "The Battle of Gettysburg Begins" offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the Civil War's most significant battles. Through engaging storytelling and detailed historical analysis, Lindsey Graham brings to life the strategies, decisions, and personal experiences that defined Gettysburg's legacy. This episode serves as an essential resource for history enthusiasts and anyone seeking to understand the complexities and consequences of this turning point in American history.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history [e-mail] It's May 1863 at the Chancellor House in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, two years into the American Civil War. 14 year old Sue Chancellor crouches in her bedroom as the sound of Confederate cannons echo outside. Days ago her home was taken over by Union General Joseph Hooker. Hooker's been using Sue's house as his headquarters and a military hospital during this days long engagement that will come to be known as the Battle of Chancellorsville. And today the Rebels have Sue's house surrounded. Sue hears a pounding on the door and a Union soldier calling out to her. Sue darts across the room and throws the door open. The soldier tells sue that she needs to get to the cellar for safety. The cannon fire grows louder as sue rushes down a hallway toward the stairs. Sue stumbles as a Confederate strike hits close enough to shake the walls of the house. Sue runs faster, desperate to reach the cellar. She barrels down the stairs to the first floor and there she hears the groans of wounded men. She runs to the steps that lead down to the basement. Sue closes the door behind her and inside she sees her mother and sister already huddled together in the dark, their faces illuminated by the glow of a burning candle. She breathes a sigh of relief as she rushes to her mother. She prays the cellar will be enough to protect them. But then the house shudders from a direct hit and sue hears shouting from above. Soon a Union soldier opens the cellar door. He says they have to get out. And now sue bounds up the steps, followed by her mother and sister. Upstairs, sue and her family move through the choking smoke and push outside where Union soldiers wait to take them to safety. As the troops lead sue and her family off, she looks back and sees her home burning to the ground. Sue is grateful to these soldiers who are helping her escape. But they fight for the Union and the Union stole her house. Now it's been destroyed and sue hopes that the Union's chances at victory will be destroyed with it. At the outset of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Union General Joseph Hooker was confident he would quickly get the best of the Rebels. His army outnumbered them almost 2 to 1. Still, days later, the battle is still raging and Hooker is on his heels. His makeshift headquarters is destroyed and soon Robert E. Lee's Confederate army will have him and his men on the run. The improbable Southern victory at Chancellorsville emboldens General Lee. Following the battle, Lee will decide to take the fight to the Union on their own soil. Lee's decision will prove to be a turning point in the Civil War and it will set off the deadliest fight of the conflict, the Battle of Gettysburg, which begins on this day, July 1, 1863. History Daily is sponsored by atRuby. Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr, Cardiac Amyloidosis, or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions, it may take time to be diagnosed, but learning more about ATTRCM and a treatment called atrube, also called Acharamidis, could be important for you or a loved one. Atruby is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking atRuby saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take a truby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about a Truby or visit attruby.com that's att r u b-y.com to learn more.

[Unknown]

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[Lindsey Graham]

From Noser an Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is July 1, 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg begins. It's May 14, 1863 at Confederate President Jefferson Davis office in Richmond, Virginia. General Robert E. Lee steps into the room and greets Davis warmly and confidently. Lee feels more assured in himself and his army than he ever has during the war. And he's here to win Davis over to an ambitious plan he's been putting together. Lee's recent victory at the battle of Chancellorsville has convinced him that the time is right for his army of Northern Virginia to invade Union territory. Lee understands that his strategy could leave Southern strongholds vulnerable, but he thinks gaining ground in the north is worth the risk. And now he has to get Davis to agree with him. Lee takes a seat across from the Confederate president and makes his case. Lee is known as a keen military strategist, but he's also skilled at talking to politicians. To win Davis over, Lee focuses on a goal that Davis is desperate to achieve. Lee says a victory on Northern soil will demonstrate to president Abraham Lincoln that major Union cities like Washington, Philadelphia, and New York are not safe. Lee says the threat of Southern armies marching on the North's political, economic, and cultural centers would convince Lincoln to seek peace with the Confederacy and perhaps end the war. This is exactly what Davis wants. But the Confederate president is quick to remind General Lee that they've been down this road before. He brings up Lee's crushing defeat at Antietam, the only Civil War battle Lee waged in the North. Still, Lee doesn't back down. He argues that this time will be different, saying his soldiers are more battle tested. And he uses the events at Chancellorsville to prove that even when outnumbered, the the south has the superior army. Then Lee tells Davis that if they truly want to end the war, they have to make Northerners feel like the battle is happening in their own backyard. Lee's confidence is enough to convince Davis, who gives the general his blessing to lead the charge north. Soon, Lee leaves Richmond and hurries back to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where his troops are gathered. As Lee surveys his men, he feels like a proud father. The Confederates lack the Union army's resources, often marching barefoot and without food. But that makes Lee love them even more. The general sees them as brave, ferocious fighters, while he views the Union army as a pampered force led by feeble generals. But as confident as Lee is in his men, he's not interested in waging another battle against an army twice as large as his, like he did at Chancellorsville. So Lee bides his time for a few weeks and takes on thousands of new recruits who are eager to join the fight. By June of 1863, Lee has amassed an army of close to 75,000 soldiers. He devises a strategy to cross the Potomac into Maryland and then move into southern Pennsylvania. Lee believes fighting in the Keystone State puts him close enough to several major Northern cities to pose a significant threat and hopefully bring President Lincoln and the Union to heel. Lee is ready to march, but before he gives his orders, he pictures the upcoming campaign in his head. Lee prides himself on outthinking his enemy, and he wants to keep the north guessing at his plans for as long as he can. So Lee chooses a path through Virginia that won't immediately indicate that he's bound for Union territory. Early in the morning on June 3, 1863, General Lee leads the march from Fredericksburg under the COVID of darkness. And later that day, when Union General Joseph Hooker, head of the army of the Potomac, receives word that Lee is on the move, he panics. Hooker is still reeling from his defeat at Chancellorsville, and he has no desire to engage Lee again so soon after their last clash. But Hooker doesn't have a choice in the matter. He receives a message from President Abraham Lincoln stating that the army of the Potomac's priority is to defeat Lee. But first, Hooker must find him. Over the next few weeks, Hooker pursues Lee through Virginia, but he has no idea where the Confederate army is going. In late June, General Lee will finally make his plans known when he orders his troops into Pennsylvania to launch an attack.

[Unknown]

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[Luke Lamanna]

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's June 26, 1863. On a road in southern Pennsylvania, a young Confederate soldier marches with his regiment. He chews on a piece of fresh bread that a Dutch woman gave him as he passed her house. As he walks with his fellow soldiers, he gazes up at the beautiful cherry trees that shade the road. The food and scenery make him feel like he's on a leisurely stroll, not advancing into enemy territory. The Confederate army has been marching for weeks. Under orders from General Robert E. Lee, the Rebels made their way out of Virginia through Maryland and into southern Pennsylvania. And all the while, Lee managed to keep his plans hidden from the Union. Today, these Confederate soldiers entered Pennsylvania undetected, but they're about to come face to face with the enemy. As the young Confederate marches, chewing on his bread, he hears something in the distance. The young soldier stops his marching. He and the other men hear drumming and then the sound of a camp not far off. Right away, they send a scouting party ahead to evaluate. The scouts return with good the camp houses only a few hundred Pennsylvania militiamen. It's not a major Union force, and it's ripe for an ambush. The young Confederate soldier moves quickly, quickly down the road. When the camp is within striking distance, he lets out the famed rebel yell. Both sides exchange fire, but the Pennsylvania militiamen are clearly outnumbered, so they make a run for it. The Confederates pursue them for miles and eventually take over 100 prisoners. But some of the militiamen get away, and they take news of the Confederate invasion with them. Later that night, word of the Confederate push into Pennsylvania reaches Union General Joseph Hooker in Maryland. But Hooker doesn't order a march toward the enemy. He turns north and tries to create some distance between him and the rebels. Hooker fears he isn't ready to do battle with Robert E. Lee. He remembers all too well how Lee defeated him at Chancellorsville, even though Hooker had him greatly outnumbered. Now Lee has even more men in his immediate command than Hooker does, and Hooker is desperate to stall for offer time enough for reinforcements to arrive. In hopes of bolstering his army, Hooker sends a telegraph message to President Lincoln asking for an additional 10,000 troops. But the President denies the request, seeing it as a sign that Hooker is afraid to challenge the army of Northern Virginia. Lincoln fears that General Hooker is not up to the task. On the night of June 27, Lincoln calls an emergency meeting with his Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. The President says he's done with generals like Hooker, who seem to be awed by the military prowess of Robert E. Lee. And after a lengthy discussion, Lincoln and Stanton decide to remove Hooker from command of the army of the Potomac. They replace him with Major General George Meade. Lincoln likes Meade because he expresses no fear or wonderment regarding Lee's abilities. Also, Meade is a Pennsylvania man, and Lincoln says he hopes Meade will fight well on his own. Dunghill. Before dawn on June 28, 1863, Major General George Meade wakes up in his tent in Maryland to find a courier standing over him. Meade serves under General Hooker in the army of the Potomac, so he assumes the courier is delivering Hooker's early morning instructions. But as Meade listens to what the courier has to say, he learns that President Lincoln has ordered him to replace his commanding officer. Hearing the news, Meade is suddenly wide awake. He gets dressed and steps outside, takes in the air, and ponders Lincoln's decision. In the early rays of dawn, Meade cuts an imposing figure. He's tall, with a graying beard, and age cracks his face. Meade's physical attributes and his quick temper have led his officers to nickname him the old snapping turtle. But Lincoln's message causes Meade to evaluate himself as a leader. Meade respects honesty and dependability, and he isn't afraid of anyone, certainly not Robert E. Lee. Meade is certain that those are the reasons Lincoln has called on him to face down the invading rebels. So later that day, Meade assumes control of the army of the Potomac. But Meade has no intention of chasing Lee. Instead, he instructs his generals to fan out across southern Pennsylvania, where he'll soon join them. Then he orders them to prepare to throw everything they have at the enemy. Soon, General Meade's strategy will bring the Union and Confederate armies face to face in Pennsylvania, where a surprise attack will spark the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg.

[Unknown]

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[Chico Felitti]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Desiree. Until one day I texted her and.

[Lindsey Graham]

She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.

[Chico Felitti]

Desiree was gone. And there was one person who knew the answer. I am a spiritual person, a magical person which a gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Cat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from wondering. Based on my smash hit podcast From Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb. I'm calling to check on the two.

[Lindsey Graham]

Missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there. The family are freaking out. They are locked.

[Chico Felitti]

Hello, I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lindsey Graham]

It's almost 7:30am on July 1, 1863. On a road outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Confederate General Henry Heath leads over 7,000 troops towards the town. Heath is alert, but he isn't overly cautious. General Robert E. Lee has laid out plans to launch his battle against Union forces from Cashtown, located about 8 miles northwest of Gettysburg. Heath's men are in desperate need of supplies, especially shoes, to prepare for the battle. So Heath is leading them into Gettysburg in hopes of finding what they need there. Heath's understanding is that the only Union soldiers in the area are a small number of ragtag militiamen. But as Heath approaches Gettysburg, he and his troops spot Union cavalry riding fast to meet them. Soon, the Confederates are under fire. Heath and his men scramble to fire back this is no small militia coming his way. It's a Union cavalry division of close to 3,000 men. Heath orders his men to fall back and take up fighting positions. But even though the Union army is outnumbered, they've caught the Confederates by surprise and managed to stand their ground. Then at 10:15am Union General John Reynolds arrives with over 13,000 reinforcements. But within 15 minutes of arriving at the battlefield, Reynolds takes a bullet to the head. With his death, the Northern soldiers are in disarray. The situation gets worse when Robert E. Lee and his troops arrive from Cashtown. Swinging the balance of power and giving the Confederates superior numbers, Lee's men enable the Confederates to push, push the Union lines back. And at 4:30pm The Northern army retreats through Gettysburg. By the end of the first day of fighting, Lee believes he's on the brink of another Confederate victory. But late that night, Union General George Meade arrives. Meade refuses to retreat any further. He sends out calls for roughly 90,000 more men to join the fight at Gettysburg. And over the following two days, the growing, growing Northern army beats the Confederacy back and eventually sends Robert E. Lee and his men marching home to Virginia in defeat. But in the course of the battle, the two armies have suffered monumental losses. Over 50,000 men are dead, wounded or missing. The largest number of American casualties from a single battle in history. Some historians will argue that Lee's overconfidence led to his defeat at Gettysburg. Others will credit Meade and his generals for refusing to give up the fight, even when it looked like the north would lose. But regardless of the reasons for the battle's outcome, the Union victory shatters Robert E. Lee's reputation as being invincible. And four and a half months later, President Lincoln uses the victory in his Gettysburg Address to serve as a rallying cry for the Union army and Northern cause. The south abandons Lee's strategy and will not again fight on Northern soil. The Civil War will rage on for another two years, and thousands more will lose their lives. But the path towards the eventual victory for the Union was set in motion when the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863. Next on History Daily, July 2, 1881. President James A. Garfield is fatally wounded in a shooting at a Washington train station. From Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham. Audio editing by Molly Bach Music and sound design by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written and researched by Michael Federico. Executive producers are Steven Walters for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser Packages by Expedia. You were made to be rechargeable we were made to package flights, hotels and.

[Chico Felitti]

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[Lindsey Graham]

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