Three Days of Hell

[Captain Clyde]

(Yeah I know this isn't Psu, but I didn't know where to really put it, and I figured I'd try my best at story telling it....sort of. Anyways enjoy the pictures and footage!)

We once again we’re called to duty, to preserve our land dear to us. It started out like any other day, some drilling, cleaning of gear and the same old daily chores. We were out in Virginia battering away at its defenses, when out of the blue, the authority figures received a distress mail from the North the Confederates were attacking!

Quickly we were told to gather our equipment and as much supplies as we could, as we made haste back to the North. Going on in on the double quick march, we were a few miles away from a remote place called Gettysburg, the cannon fire and gun shots could be heard in the echoes.

We had been marching on for hours without rest, many of us were sore from fatigue, yet the real challenge was yet to come. As we made our way to the battle and just in time, it began to rain heavily causing fog to develop everywhere. We engaged in a battle with a Confederate force, the battle would later be known as “The Struggle at Willoughby Run” As the name would seem, our numbers were not enough the Confederates still outnumbered us.

They pushed us back with fiercest fire power as many took it upon their selves to retreat from the battle. Eventually though, they pushed us up towards a hill where we formed a defense on a Cemetery, the battle waged on even during the night. Though it did not matter, they were dead anyway.

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It was now the next morning, we had been successful at securing the high ground on Cemetery Ridge. Though our luck would soon turn to sour within the hours to come. My company was ordered to the far right of Gettysburg to be placed in reserve for the Third Corps. As we marched towards our destination we got into a skirmish with a group of scouting cavalier. Luckily for us, the Union Calvary was not to far behind and ended up saving our rears.

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As we arrived it was informed to us that the commander of the Third Corps had taken his men off of the high ground in pursuit of lower ground that he seemed to be more of an tactical advantage. Needless to say, his Corps was being slaughtered by the seconds…..hell even I could of made a better decision then that! Where are we getting these generals!?

To add to his mistake, he left an open gap in our right side of the Union line. We were ordered to plug in the gap at any cost. The place they choose for us to charge through, was deemed the “Bloody Wheatfield”.

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We were able to plug in the gap and repel the advancing rebel forces from reaching the backsides of Little Round top. We engaged with three regiments at once. However this victory did not come without casualties. Our company alone suffered 800 dead from the 1,500 we brought on the field. That day, our band of brotherhood was almost wiped out of existence. I’ll never forgive that General Sickles, killing my comrades for such an idiotic strategy.

The second day of fighting had seized. The confederates tried attacking from the extreme right and left of our defense and had failed both times. We all assumed it was safe to say that they would be retreating back to Virginia now. We would later be relived from our positions to gain much needed at some farm near Cemetery Ridge.

Around mid noon after a good night of rest, unknown to us at the time, the Confederates opened fire. Buildings, landscape, and people were being blown to pieces as the roar of 200 cannons blasted away at us. It sounded like the world itself was exploding.

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We of course returned fire on them damn bastards. It was not known at the time, but a building that was hit by Confederate shelling, caught on fire killing a family and children.

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The casualties of the cannonade were pretty slim. They did not hit much of us….though they did the unthinkable. They charged our front lines under fire of cannons. There were so many of them, many volunteer units began to retreat, risking everyone else’s life and freedom to see another day. It looked very grim for both sides as wave after wave tried to break through our lines. Our battered unit was once again called to duty to secure the Angle and to repel the rebel army. Our fate was sealed, if we were to lose here, it would spell the end of the Union.

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At 4 PM of July 3rd, the Battle of Gettysburg was over. Over 6,000 Confederates laid over the field which would be known as Pickett’s Charge, maybe he should pick a better charge next time.

Pickett’s Charge clips and the cannon barrage are below, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxDKXOGNamc

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[Anise]

I just want you to know clyde.....your my hero

[Captain Clyde]

Heh thanks! You're pretty spiffy as well!

I wasn't able to do many reenactments this year due to school, which kept me really busy. Though I was able to do the 145th of Gettysburg.

It was really big! Over 20,000 reenactors and 200 cannons. Spanned out for three days of fighting, camping, and living off of resources nearby. It was real fun, despite the rain that kept coming and going.

It was like every time we geared up before the battle, it would rain. A nice cue if I ever seen one! Every little part added to making the reenactments as realistic as possible.

I just wish you guys could of been there to see it, we would of had fun.

[Anise]

it sounds like fun ^^