Waking on the morning of July 3, 1863 an uneasy tension griped the soldiers. Though well rested, an eerie quiet hung in the air. As time passed the silence gave way to the uneasy sound of gunshots, casting a dark shadow over the Union forces.
For an hour, the Union forces found them under seige and when sent to attack, they pushed back only to be met with an unexpected force. For over gruling five hours the two sides fought. Our correspondent Foote explained, “to attempt to disengage would be to invite destruction” before following up with “unrelentingly severe, the contest degenerated into a series of brief advances and sudden repulses, first by one side, then the other.”
10:30 came and went when the Confederate forces had finally been pushed back to where they were the day prior. However, the loss was unimaginable and those that have survived were nearing their end. Those that survived had to face the unfortunate reality that they did all that they could for the day.
As dawn broke on July 4th Lee’s mind was made, “The enemy is there, and I am going to strike him.” It was then that a heavy darkness settled on the soldiers. The chances of success were slim and protest was useless.
Plans were exchanged and the lineup shifted as Lee planned to take a dangerous gamble with the remaining men. As the men prepared a brigade against the other side, confidence dwindled and positive thoughts vanished. The air thick with anticipation and the ominous sun casted its harsh light on the men as an uncertain fate awaited those who would soon continue a war that would sculpt the future into something never before seen.