Pickett’s Charge: The July 3, 1863 disaster that killed the Confederacy’s last hope at Gettysburg

Pickett’s Charge

On July 3, 1863, at 3:00 p.m., Robert E. Lee sent 12,500 Confederate soldiers to attack the Union center at Cemetery Ridge.

This massive attack marked the final push of the three-day Battle of Gettysburg. Lee believed he could break through what seemed to be the weakest part of the Union line.

This desperate gamble would become one of the most famous attacks of the Civil War.

Lee’s Decision for an All-Out Frontal Assault

Lee changed his plan after failing to defeat the Union army by attacking its sides during the first two days of battle. He now aimed at what he thought was a weak spot in the middle of the Union line.

Lee believed Union General Meade had moved troops from the center to strengthen the sides. James Longstreet, who would lead the attack, warned against the plan.

“No 15,000 men who ever lived could take that position,” Longstreet told Lee. Lee ignored this advice and moved forward with his plan.

The Confederate Divisions Who Made the Charge

Three Confederate divisions formed the attacking force. George Pickett led fresh Virginia troops that had arrived at Gettysburg the night before.

Pickett commanded three brigades led by Generals Lewis Armistead, James Kemper, and Richard Garnett. These Virginia units hadn’t yet fought in the battle. Johnston Pettigrew led soldiers from North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Isaac Trimble commanded two North Carolina brigades. Unlike Pickett’s men, soldiers under Pettigrew and Trimble had already fought hard and lost many men on previous days.

The Massive Artillery Bombardment Before the Charge

The attack began at 1:00 p.m. with fire from about 150 Confederate cannons lined up along Seminary Ridge. Colonel Edward Porter Alexander directed this bombardment.

For nearly two hours, Confederate gunners fired at Union positions on Cemetery Ridge. The thunderous noise was among the loudest ever heard on a battlefield.

Despite using most of their artillery ammunition, the Confederates failed to destroy the Union batteries. When Alexander noticed some Union guns pulling back, he told Pickett to attack.

Union Artillery’s Strategic Response

Union artillery chief Henry Hunt used a smart trick during the Confederate bombardment. He ordered many batteries to stop firing to save ammunition for the infantry attack he knew would follow.

This created the false impression that Confederate shells had destroyed the Union guns. Hunt also pulled back damaged batteries and replaced them with fresh ones.

Hunt disagreed with General Hancock, who wanted artillery fire to continue to keep up his infantry’s spirits. Hunt’s plan ensured Union guns would have plenty of deadly ammunition when Confederate infantry came close.

The Confederate Infantry Steps Off

Around 3:00 p.m., Confederate infantry emerged from the woods on Seminary Ridge. The attacking force stretched nearly a mile wide as they started toward the Union line.

The men marched at a steady pace rather than running. Though called a “charge,” the attack began as a careful advance across open ground.

Pickett rode among his Virginia troops, calling out, “Don’t forget today that you are from Old Virginia!” From the Union position, the sight of thousands of soldiers moving forward with battle flags flying was both beautiful and terrifying.

The Deadly March Across Open Ground

Confederate soldiers walked across three-quarters of a mile of open fields toward Cemetery Ridge. This exposed ground offered no protection from enemy fire.

Union artillery opened fire with devastating effect. Guns on Cemetery Ridge fired from the front while batteries on Cemetery Hill and Little Round Top hit the Confederates from the sides.

The advance slowed at the Emmitsburg Road where wooden fences forced men to climb over or break through while under fire. With each step, more soldiers fell, yet the survivors closed ranks and pressed on.

Pickett’s Division Executes a Left Oblique

As they neared the Union position, Pickett’s division performed a difficult maneuver called a “left oblique.” This required shifting direction to the left while keeping formation.

This move aligned Pickett’s Virginians with Pettigrew’s men to their left. Doing this complex movement under enemy fire showed the high training of Pickett’s troops.

During this shift, Confederate units became mixed together. Men filled gaps created by fallen comrades. This change in direction exposed Pickett’s right side to more Union artillery, causing more casualties.

Union Flanking Fire Devastates the Confederate Line

As the Confederates approached, Union forces unleashed deadly fire from multiple directions. General George Stannard’s Vermont regiments moved forward and swung north.

This placed the Vermont troops on the right side of Kemper’s brigade. From here, they fired into the exposed Confederate flank.

On the opposite end, the 8th Ohio Infantry attacked the Confederate left. Artillery north of Little Round Top hammered Pickett’s right flank. Caught in fire from front and both sides, Confederate losses mounted quickly.

Armistead’s Breakthrough at the Angle

The stone wall on Cemetery Ridge made a 90-degree turn at a spot called “the Angle.” Here, General Lewis Armistead led the most successful part of the Confederate attack.

Armistead put his hat on his sword and raised it high for his men to follow. “Come forward, Virginians! Come on, boys, we must give them the cold steel!” he shouted.

With about 100 to 200 men, Armistead crossed the stone wall. His troops briefly captured several Union cannons but had no ammunition to fire them. This breakthrough point later became known as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy.”

The Union Counterattack and Confederate Collapse

Union General Alexander Webb organized the defense at the Angle, rallying his Philadelphia Brigade. As Armistead’s men breached the wall, Union reinforcements rushed to the threatened point.

Hand-to-hand combat erupted along the stone wall. Men fought with bayonets, rifle butts, and fists in desperate close fighting. Armistead fell mortally wounded just after crossing the wall.

Without their leader and facing overwhelming numbers, the Confederate breakthrough failed. Within minutes, surviving attackers began retreating across the fields toward Seminary Ridge.

Visiting Gettysburg National Military Park

Pickett’s Charge took place at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. The main visitor center at 1195 Baltimore Pike has exhibits, a film, and the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting showing the charge.

From the visitor center, follow signs to the High Water Mark area on Cemetery Ridge. Here you’ll find the stone wall, the Angle, and monuments marking where fighting was fiercest.

A special marker shows where General Armistead fell. Park rangers give free talks about the charge during summer months. Entrance to the battlefield grounds is free, though the visitor center museum has an admission fee for adults.

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