The following Gettysburg Battlewalks programs are available to stream On Demand with PCN Select.
Battle North of Town | At about 8 a.m. on July 1, 1863, near McPherson Ridge, Union cavalry soldiers confronted the advancing Confederate infantry east along Chambersburg Pike. Intense fighting spread along the north of the town as reinforcements for both sides arrived. This would go on to mark the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg, one of the bloodiest and most pivotal battles of the Civil War.
Confederates at Pitzer Woods | At approximately 6 p.m. on July 2nd, 1863, Confederate soldiers commanded by General William Barksdale burst from Pitzer Woods and attacked the Union 3rd Corps at the Peach Orchard. Their charge was described as one of the most impressive spectacles of the Civil War, shattering the line and driving the Union soldiers a mile back to Plum Run near Trostle Farm. Barksdale was mortally wounded, however, when his men were counterattacked by a brigade under Colonel George L. Willard and forced to leave him for dead. The attack was ultimately unsuccessful.
Confederates Attack from Oak Hill | Sometime after 12 p.m. on July 1st, 1863, Major General Robert E. Rodes moved his infantry behind Oak Hill to attack advancing Union troops. Two of the three attacking brigades quickly faltered, however, when they encountered stiff Union resistance. Gen. Alfred Iverson's brigade of 300 men set off to strike the flank of Union positions on Oak Ridge, but Union soldiers launched a surprise attack. After two and a half hours, Iverson’s remaining 62 men were forced to surrender and captured.
Defense of Cemetery Ridge | On July 3, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered an attack on the Union Army center at Cemetery Ridge, where 12,000 men would engage in a march known as Pickett’s Charge. After an unsuccessful artillery barrage, the march across the open terrain ultimately failed; 60% of Confederate ranks were killed, and only one brigade temporarily reached the top of the ridge at a spot that is now known as the High Water Mark. The surviving Confederates retreated the next day, and the Battle of Gettysburg officially ended.
Fact vs. Fiction At Barlow Knoll | At approximately 2:45 p.m. on July 1st, 1863, Union Gen. Francis C. Barlow advanced his division of the Eleventh Corps to Blocher’s Knoll (today known as Barlow’s Knoll) to utilize high ground to defend his right flank. The line was spread too thin and ultimately collapsed, but not without impressive resistance despite their doomed positioning and negative reputation. Confederate brigades under John B. Gordon and George Doles eventually converged on Barlow's exposed position and captured the knoll. In one story, Gordon allegedly spoke to an injured Barlow and found him aid. Another story - arguably one of the most famous Gettysburg anecdotes - details Gordon and Barlow reuniting post-war at a dinner party, both thinking the other had died. The authenticity of these tales, whether they are fact or fiction, is uncertain.
Farnsworth’s Charge | After Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863, Union General Hugh J. Kilpatrick ordered Captain Elon J. Farnsworth to charge with his brigade against Confederate positions south of Devil's Den. Farnsworth argued but eventually agreed to it when Kilpatrick allegedly accused him of cowardice. Farnsworth and his men made the charge, but they were defeated and left with heavy casualties that included Farnsworth himself. Although no action was taken against him, Kilpatrick received heavy criticism for ordering the charge.
Greene’s Brigade on Culp’s Hill | On the morning of July 3rd, 1863, Union Lieutenant Colonel Ario Pardee Jr. and his men replaced the 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade after their failed charge against the Confederates to gain back captured land. Pardee maintained steady fire on the Confederates and led a successful charge on the field, which ultimately helped defeat the Confederates’ last attack on Culp’s Hill. The field, now named Pardee Field in honor of Pardee’s success, was recaptured by the Union and the Confederate attacks subsequently ended.
High Water Mark | On July 3, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered an attack on the Union Army center at Cemetery Ridge, where 12,000 men would engage in a march known as Pickett’s Charge. After an unsuccessful artillery barrage, the march across the open terrain ultimately failed; 60% of Confederate ranks were killed, and only one brigade temporarily reached the top of the ridge at a spot that is now known as the High Water Mark. The surviving Confederates retreated the next day, and the Battle of Gettysburg officially ended.
McPherson Barn | At approximately 8:00 AM on July 1st, 1863, Union General John Buford's 3,200 cavalrymen attempted to fend off the 7,000 Confederates advancing on the McPherson farm until 10:30 AM. The Union fighters were forced to retreat to Seminary Ridge as the Confederates attacked and captured the McPherson barn. The barn became a field hospital where wounded soldiers on both sides sought refuge even after the battle ended. It is the last surviving building of the original owner, Edward McPherson.
Pardee Field | On the morning of July 3rd, 1863, Union Lieutenant Colonel Ario Pardee Jr. and his men replaced the 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade after their failed charge against the Confederates to gain back captured land. Pardee maintained steady fire on the Confederates and led a successful charge on the field, which ultimately helped defeat the Confederates’ last attack on Culp’s Hill. The field, now named Pardee Field in honor of Pardee’s success, was recaptured by the Union and the Confederate attacks subsequently ended.
Sacrifice of the 9th Massachusetts Battery | On July 2nd, 1863, the 9th Massachusetts Battery arrived at Gettysburg from Tanneytown, MD, and was assigned to support the Union 3rd Corps. At approximately 4 p.m., the 3rd Corps was critically attacked and forced to withdraw. The 9th was ordered to remain in position at the Trostle Farm and fire non-stop so other units could be moved to the rear. Confederate Colonel Humphrey’s men charged the battery and fought hand-to-hand with them, resulting in the fatal sacrifice of 28 men.
Union Retreat at Trostle Farm | On July 2nd, 1863, the 9th Massachusetts Battery arrived at Gettysburg from Tanneytown, MD, and was assigned to support the Union 3rd Corps. At approximately 4 p.m., the 3rd Corps was critically attacked and forced to withdraw. The 9th was ordered to remain in position at the Trostle Farm and fire non-stop so other units could be moved to the rear. Confederate Colonel Humphrey’s men charged the battery and fought hand-to-hand with them, resulting in the fatal sacrifice of 28 men.