Gettysburg - New show on History Channel

[Marshal Halloway]

I was contacted by History Channel informing me of a new show that will be of interest for you guys.

Gettysburg is a 2-hour HISTORY special that kicks off a week of History programming commemorating the 150'th anniversary of the Civil War.

Executive produced by Ridley and Tony Scott, this special strips away the romanticized veneer of the Civil War. It presents the pivotal battle of Gettysburg in a new light: as a visceral, terrifying and deeply personal experience, fought by men with everything on the line. Compelling CGI  and powerful action footage place viewers in the midst of the fighting, delivering both an emotional cinematic experience and an information packed look at the turning points, strategic decisions, technology and little known facts surrounding the greatest engagement ever fought on American soil.

The special begins in the high stakes summer of 1863, as the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia crosses into Pennsylvania.   Trailed by the Union's Army of the Potomac, Lee's 75,000 strong army heads towards Harrisburg, converging instead near a quiet farm town, Gettysburg.  Known then only as a crossroads where ten roads running in all directions converge like a wagon wheel, this small town would become site of an epic battle between North and South.  For three days, each side fought there for their vision of what America should be.

In collaboration with highly esteemed Civil War historians, HISTORY combed through hundreds of individual accounts of the battle to find the unique voices of struggle, defeat and triumph that tell the larger story of a bitterly conflicted nation.

Premieres Monday, May 30 at 9/8c

[Fox Creek Kid]

I will watch it & thanks for the heads up. Ridley Scott is fantastic. The REAL devastation of what double canister grapeshot does to a human body is beyond the comprehension of most today. Absolutely insane what those poor fellas went through. In "Company Aytch" Sam Watkins mentions how the arm & shoulder of the man in front of him at Chancellorsville struck him in the chest. Completely blown off.    How they kept a sane mind after a battle is beyond me. Liquor I'd imagine.

[ndnchf]

My GG Grandfather was in Pickett's charge.  Part of Lane's brigade, 37th North Carolina Infantry.  God only knows how he survived.  The only wound he got was having the tip of his nose taken off by a minie ball.  I have walked the path his unit took and it is very sobering.

[Drayton Calhoun]

I will watch it & thanks for the heads up. Ridley Scott is fantastic. The REAL devastation of what double canister grapeshot does to a human body is beyond the comprehension of most today. Absolutely insane what those poor fellas went through. In "Company Aytch" Sam Watkins mentions how the arm & shoulder of the man in front of him at Chancellorsville struck him in the chest. Completely blown off.    How they kept a sane mind after a battle is beyond me. Liquor I'd imagine.

The 'soldiers disease' morphine addiction, liquor, or becoming totally hardened to it all and becoming true war lovers.

[Trailrider]

The 'soldiers disease' morphine addiction, liquor, or becoming totally hardened to it all and becoming true war lovers.

Then it was known as "Shell shock" in WWI; "Combat Fatigue" in WWII and Korea. Today it's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which clinical terminology doesn't begin to carry the real meaning for those torn in body and/or in mind.  Lest we forget... Lest we forget!"

Godspeed to those still in harm's way in the defense of Freedom everywhere. God's healing balm to those who have given so much! God Bless America!

Your humble servant,

[GunClick Rick]

i would love to see another view point other than slavery for a change if it rings true.I know slavery was a big part of it,but i think there was something else as big or bigger..more like just like today,money and power..

[Jayhawker]

I'm looking forward to it...I've walked the ground at Gettysburg several times...On a warm summer evening, after the tourists have gone home, walking the Wheatfield, Devils Den, and the ground in front of Little Round Top just gives me the willies...

Just for the record...the Longstreet monument is one of my favorites...

[Capt Billy]

Well, there go the extra hours on the DVR...we'll have to watch again and again!
My Great Grandfather, Capt. Wm. H. Harrell (Capt. Billy to the family) it turns out probably served under Gen. John Hunt Morgan, and was documented as fighting at Shiloh, Chicamauga, and Lookout Mountain. Now I'll have to find out if his unit was one of the ones that escorted Jeff Davis safely out of Richmond.

[w.b. masterson]

My great-grandfather joined in May of '61 and surrendered with Lee in '65.  Wounded four times and ended the war as a third sargent in 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles.  He was captured after the Nashville debacle as Bell retreated back to Mississippi.  G-G-dads' regiment was commanded by Forrest who used it and others to deflect the Union advance.  GGD was captured shortly after Christmas and was paroled and exchanged in March of '65.  Spent several weeks in the hospital in Richmond.  Lee picked up all walking wounded on his retreat from Petersburg.  GGD's pension request shows surrender on the same date as Lee's men signed surrender.  His request  also shows a medical exam which indicates four wounds which correlate with regiment records up til his capture.   He made all the western battles, from Pearidge, Lookout Mountain, etc.

His unit was dismounted because they couldn't get their horses across the Mississippi in their effort to relieve Vicksburg.  Fought as infantry the rest of the war.  An effort was made to remount them, but they had proven too effective as infantry of which they had a greater need of than cavalry.

[litl rooster]

doesn't begin to carry the real meaning for those torn in body and/or in mind.  Lest we forget... Lest we forget!"

Godspeed to those still in harm's way in the defense of Freedom everywhere. God's healing balm to those who have given so much! God Bless America!

,

well said

[Capt Billy]

Masterson,
How did you get such detailed records? Billy's pension only shows that he got it.