"High Water Mark of the Rebellion"

At Copse of Trees where Longstreet's Assault ends. About 200 confederate troops break the Union line at The Angle (turn in fence), led by Gen Lewis Armistead. All are killed.

In some ways, this is the birthplace of our version of globalization.

Video 1 = Tom recreating the Confederates' charge (last 100 yards)

Starts with Copse of Trees (from Union line), and pans over field over which Longstreet's Assault traversed (from Confederate positions along distant tree line) and ends at The Angle in fence where Union forces were centered.

From Emmitsburg Road, the view for Armistead's Virginia men as they angled left toward The Angle.

Watch Tom recreate Pickett's chargeTom

Covering some ground with Armistead's troops!

Meade statue at height where he observed.

View toward Confederate positions from Meade outlook, with Copse on left and Angle at right.

Comments

[Mike Anglin]

I have always been amazed at the courage and discipline it required to cross so much open ground with bullets and cannonballs coming in the entire time.

[Chad]

Tom,

I make the trek there nearly every year. Tip: go to Reliance Mine Saloon in evenings. Local bar where most nights you'll see authors and/or guides discussing diff. aspects of battle.

Of course, they don't want to be found so it's a bit hard to find. Cheers!

[hof1991]

Two best books :Hallowed ground : a walk at Gettysburg by James McPhersonBest for reading before doing your tour

These honored dead : how the story of Gettysburg shaped American memory by Thomas Desjardin. He explains why the "high water" monument is nowhere near the furthest point of the Rebel advance and why the movie version ends up trumping reality. BTW, McPherson agrees, but hates to spoil the fun.