A three-day war felt like a lifetime for many soldiers at Gettysburg. For many more of these soldiers, it is what ended their lives. As the end of the war arrived, soldiers reflected on those lost in the war and the actions that were taken to get to this point.
“It took a dozen blunders to lose Gettysburg and [I] committed a good many of them,” Longstreet admitted gracefully, followed by, “if the blame, if there is any, can be shifted from him to me, I shall help him and our cause by taking it.”
Pickett was discovered to be highly critical of the war making comments such as, “Its loss was occasioned by a combination of circumstances.” He then went on to list absence of intelligence and the effort to overcome presented difficulties.
“The army did all it could,” Picket explained months later, “I fear I required of it impossibilities. But it responded to the call nobly and cheerfully, and though it did not win a victory in conquered a success.” Before promising that preparation was required for the next war.
Both Longstreet and Pickett recognized the sacrifices made by their soldiers and the need for preperation for future conflict. These reflections allow a better understanding of the complexities of war along with the importance of learning from past mistakes to better prepare for whatever lies ahead.