Quotes From The Gettysburg Address

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Gettysburg (1993) Poster

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: Yous wish to see me, sir?

Full general Robert E. Lee: [Lee nods and sighs; there is a curt pause] It is the opinion of some... excellent officers that you have let us all downwardly.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [aroused at the slight to his laurels] General Lee, sir, if you volition please tell me who these gentlemen are...

General Robert E. Lee: There will be none of that. In that location is no fourth dimension.

Maj. Gen. J.Due east.B. Stuart: Sir, I only inquire that I be allowed to defend my...

General Robert Eastward. Lee: [raising his vocalization slightly] There is no time.

[Stuart looks stunned]

General Robert E. Lee: Full general Stuart... your mission was to free this ground forces from the enemy cavalry and report any movement by the enemy's primary torso. That mission was not fulfilled. You left here with no discussion of your movement or motility of the enemy for several days. Meanwhile, nosotros were engaged here and drawn into battle without adequate noesis of the enemy's forcefulness or position, without knowledge of the ground. So information technology is only past God's grace that we did not meet disaster hither.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: General Lee, there were reasons...

General Robert E. Lee: [Lee holds upward his hand to silence Stuart] Mayhap you misunderstood my orders? Maybe I did not make myself clear. Well, sir... this must be made *very* articulate. You lot, sir, with your cavalry, are the optics of this army. Without your cavalry, nosotros are made blind. That has already happened once. It must never, *never* happen again.

Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart: [Stuart stares at the floor, and so slowly draws his sword in token of his resignation] Sir... since I no longer concur the General's...

General Robert Eastward. Lee: [suddenly furious, Lee pounds the table with his fist] I have *told* you, there is no time for that! There is no time!

[he pauses, takes a deep breath, and calms downwards over again]

Full general Robert East. Lee: There is some other fight comin' tomorrow, and we need yous. We need every human being, God knows. You lot must take what I accept told you, and learn from information technology, as a human being does.

[he takes Stuart's sword and replaces it in its scabbard]

General Robert E. Lee: There has been a mistake. Information technology will not happen again; I know your quality. You are one of the finest cavalry officers I accept ever known, and your service to this army has been invaluable. Now... let united states of america speak no more of this.

[he turns and slowly walks away, then turns dorsum to Stuart]

General Robert E. Lee: The matter is concluded. Good dark, General.

[not knowing what to think of this show of mercy, Stuart snaps a well-baked salute, and Lee returns information technology]

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: I've been ordered to take y'all men with me, I'k told that if you don't come I tin shoot yous. Well, you know I won't do that. Maybe somebody else will, but I won't, and then that'south that. Here's the state of affairs, the Whole Reb army is up that road aways waiting for usa, so this is no time for an argument like this, I tell yous. We could surely apply you fellahs, nosotros're now well below half forcefulness. Whether you fight or non, that's up to yous, whether you come along is... well, you're coming. You know who we are and what we are doing hither, but if you are going to fight alongside us there are a few things I want you to know. This regiment was formed last summertime, in Maine. There were a g of us then, there are less than 300 of usa now. All of us volunteered to fight for the Spousal relationship, just as y'all have. Some came mainly because we were bored at home, idea this looked like it might be fun. Some came because we were ashamed not to. Many of us came considering information technology was the right affair to do. And all of united states of america accept seen men dice. This is a dissimilar kind of army. If you look back through history yous will come across men fighting for pay, for women, for another kind of loot. They fight for land, power, because a king leads them, or just considering they similar killing. But we are here for something new, this has not happened much, in the history of the world. We are an army out to set other men costless. America should be free ground, all of information technology, not divided past a line between slave states and free - all the way from here to the Pacific Ocean. No man has to bow. No human born to royalty. Hither nosotros guess you past what yous practice, not by who your father was. Hither you can exist something. Here is the place to build a home. Only it'due south non the state, there's always more than country. It'southward the thought that we all have value - you and me. What we are fighting for, in the finish, we're fighting for each other. Pitiful, I didn't hateful to preach. Y'all get ahead and you talk for a while. If you choose to join the states and you desire your muskets back you can have them - nothing more will be said by anyone anywhere. If you cull not to bring together united states well then y'all can come up along under baby-sit and when this is all over I will do what I can to ensure y'all become a fair trial, but for now we're moving out. Gentlemen, I call back if we lose this fight we lose the war, so if you choose to join the states I volition be personally very grateful.

Col. Arthur Freemantle: I'grand told you lot're descended from an illustrious armed services family.

Brigadier Full general Lewis A. Armistead: [scoffs] Who told you that? Kemper?

Col. Arthur Freemantle: He tells me information technology was your uncle who defended Fort McHenry during the State of war of 1812, and that he was therefore the guardian of the original "Star-Spangled Banner." I must say, I do appreciate the irony of information technology all.

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: Colonel Freemantle... it does not begin or finish with my uncle... or myself. We're all sons of Virginia here.

[he motions with his optics; Freemantle follows his gaze]

Brigadier Full general Lewis A. Armistead: That major out in that location, commanding the cannon... that's James Dearing. First in his class at West Point, before Virgina seceded. And the boy over there with the color guard...

[he nods in the boy's direction]

Brigadier Full general Lewis A. Armistead: ... that's Private Robert Tyler Jones. His grandfather was President of the United States. The colonel behind me... that's Colonel William Aylett. At present, his not bad-granddaddy was the Virginian, Patrick Henry. It was Patrick Henry who said to your King George 3, "Give me liberty, or give me death." There are boys here from Norfolk... Portsmouth... small hamlets along the James River. From Charlottesville and Fredericksburg... and the Shenondoah Valley. Generally, they're all veteran soldiers at present; the cowards and shirkers are long gone. Every human here knows his duty. They would make this charge, fifty-fifty without an officer to pb them. They know the gravity of the situation, and the mettle of their foe. They know that this day'southward work volition be drastic and mortiferous. They know, that for many of them, this volition be their last accuse. Just not one of them needs to exist told what is expected of him. They're all willing to make the supreme sacrifice... to accomplish victory, here... the crowning victory... and the end of this war. Nosotros are all here, Colonel. You may tell them, when you return to your land... that all Virginia was here on this twenty-four hour period.

[Buford's cavalry has sighted the Amalgamated army on the evening of June 30]

Gen. Buford: You know what'due south gonna happen here in the morning?

Col. Thomas C. Devin: Sir?

Gen. Buford: Whole damn Reb army'due south gonna be here. They'll movement through this boondocks, occupy these hills on the other side, and when our people go here Lee'll take the high ground, and at that place'll be the devil to pay! The loftier ground! Meade'll come in slowly, cautiously, new to command. They'll be on his back from Washington. Wires hot with letters. "Assault! Attack!" So he volition ready a band around these hills. And when Lee's army is all nicely entrenched behind fat rocks on the high ground, Meade'll finally attack, if he tin coordinate the army. Direct upwards the hillside, out in the open up, in that gorgeous field of fire. We will accuse valiantly... and be butchered valiantly! And later on, men in tall hats and gold sentry fobs will thump their chests and say what a brave charge it was.

[he takes off his chapeau and rubs his caput in resignation]

Gen. Buford: Devin, I've led a soldier's life, and I've never seen annihilation as brutally clear every bit this. It's as if I can actually see the blue troops in one long, bloody moment, goin' upwardly the long slope to the stony superlative. Every bit if information technology were already done... already a memory. An odd... set... stony quality to it. Every bit if tomorrow has already happened and there'southward nothin' you can practise virtually it. The way you sometimes feel before an ill-considered attack, knowin' it'll neglect, but you cannot stop it. Y'all must even take part, and help it fail.

Col. Thomas C. Devin: Sir.

Gen. Buford: We have 20-v hundred men. They'll be comin' in forcefulness. There'll be xx thou comin' down that route in the forenoon. If we concur this ridge for a couple hours, we tin go on 'em away. If we tin can block that road 'til the main body gets here, we can deprive the enemy of the loftier basis!

Col. Thomas C. Devin: Well, the boys are prepare for a brawl, no doubt of that.

Gen. Buford: We tin can force the Rebs to deploy. That'south a narrow road they'll exist comin' down. We stack 'em up, it'll take 'em a while to become on rails, to get into position. Is Calef's battery up yet?

Col. Thomas C. Devin: Sir, his six guns are deploying forward at present.

[Buford turns to his officers]

Gen. Buford: How far back is Reynolds with the main strength?

Cavalry Officer: Nearly ten miles, sir. Not much more.

[Gamble and his aide gallop up at full speed]

Col. William Chance: Sir, you were right. My scouts written report the Reb ground forces is comin' this mode, and that's for sure. They're all concentratin' in this direction.

[Buford sighs and looks in the direction of the Confederates' approach]

Gen. Buford: Nosotros're gonna hold here in the morning. Long enough for Reynolds and the infantry to arrive. We hang onto the high footing, nosotros have a chance to win this fight that's comin'. Understood?

Officers: Yeah, sir.

Gen. Buford: Post the cannon along this route, the Chambersburg Motorway. The Rebs'll striking u.s.a. at dawn, only I think nosotros can concord 'em for at to the lowest degree two hours.

Col. Thomas C. Devin: Hell, General, we tin hold 'em all the damn livelong day.

[the officers chorus in understanding]

Col. Thomas C. Devin: At Thoroughfare Gap, you held against Longstreet. You held for 6 hours.

Col. William Gamble: And they never came. We held for nothin'.

[Buford turns dorsum to face the battleground again]

Gen. Buford: Rebs'll hit us merely about first calorie-free. Keep a clear eye! Permit's take the pickets requite united states of america a expert warning. All right, gentlemen. Permit'due south get posted.

Maj. Walter H. Taylor: General Trimble is waiting. Will you lot come across him now?

Full general Robert Due east. Lee: Very well.

[he looks at Marshall]

Full general Robert E. Lee: Major, I want a scouting party sent out posthaste to discover General Stuart.

Maj. Charles Marshall: Yes, sir.

Full general Robert E. Lee: Thank you.

Maj. Charles Marshall: Right away, sir.

Full general Robert E. Lee: [Trimble enters the room] Full general Trimble.

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: [Trimble salutes, and Lee returns information technology] Sir, I most respectfully request some other assignment.

General Robert E. Lee: [Lee looks at Trimble, so sits down] Do delight go along, General.

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: The man is a disgrace! Sir, have you been listening at all to... to what the aides have been telling you? Ask Full general Gordon or General Ewell. Ask them. We could've taken that hill! God in His wisdom knows we *should've* taken it! There was no one there, no there at all, and it commanded the town.

[he sighs]

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: General Gordon saw it. I mean, he was with us! Me and Ewell and Gordon, all standing there in the dark similar fat, bang-up idiots with that encarmine damned colina empty!

[he stops]

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: I beg your pardon, General.

[Lee nods]

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: That encarmine damned loma was bare as his bloody damned head! We all saw it, as God is my witness! We were all at that place. I said to him, "General Ewell, nosotros accept *got* to take that colina." General Jackson would non have stopped like this, with the bluebellies on the run and there was plenty of low-cal left on a colina like that empty! Well, God help u.s.a., I... I don't know wh... I don't know why I...

[he stops]

General Robert E. Lee: Exercise please continue, General.

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: Yes, sir. Sir... I said to him, General Ewell, these words. I said to him, "Sir, give me one partition and I volition have that loma." And he said cipher. He just stood there, he stared at me. I said, "General Ewell, give me one brigade and I will take that colina." I was becoming disturbed, sir. And General Ewell put his arms backside him and blinked. Then I said, General, requite me 1 *regiment* and I volition take that hill." And he said *nothing*! He just stood there! I threw downwardly my sword, down on the ground in front end of him!

[he stops and regains his sophistication]

Maj. Gen. Isaac R. Trimble: We... we could've done information technology, sir. A blind human should've seen it. Now they're working upward there. You can hear the axes of the Federal troops. And and so in the morning... many a good boy volition die... taking that hill.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: This is almost perfect, now we got them where we want them. Swing south and eastward, down the route, get betwixt them and Lincoln, discover some good loftier ground, then they'll have to hit us, they'll have to, we'll accept them, sir.

General Robert E. Lee: You lot mean disengage?

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Well sir, I've always been nether the impression that it was our strategy to conduct a defensive entrada wherever possible in order to keep the ground forces intact.

General Robert E. Lee: Granted, but the situation has changed at present.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: In what fashion?

General Robert Due east. Lee: We've already pushed them dorsum, they're on the run, vacating the boondocks. How tin can we motility off to the south and the east in the face of the enemy? What are y'all thinking, General?

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Maybe we should not take fought hither?

General Robert Due east. Lee: I know that. But we accept prevailed. The men take prevailed.

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Yes sir, they take e'er done that. But in the forenoon we may exist outnumbered, and they'll be entrenched on the high footing.

General Robert Eastward. Lee: General, you know as well as I, we have never concerned ourselves with being outnumbered.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: That is truthful, sir, y'all are right. If we move to the south to Washington, they have to pursue the states, and then we can fight on footing of our choosing.

General Robert E. Lee: Only the enemy is hither! We did non want the fight but the fight is here! How can I ask this army to retreat in the confront of what they have washed this twenty-four hours?

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Not retreat, sir. Re-deploy.

General Robert E. Lee: Our guns will motility them off that hill or Ewell will push them off. But if Meade is in that location tomorrow, I cannot movement this ground forces away, no sir, I will attack him.

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Full general, if Meade is upwards at that place tomorrow, it is because he wants us to attack him. We pushed back two corps, merely there are 5 more than coming.

General Robert E. Lee: Gen. Longstreet, do you mind if I accompany you?

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Not at all. I am very glad to have y'all with us, Sir.

[wipes his brow]

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: The heat reminds me of Mexico.

General Robert E. Lee: Yes, but the air was very dry.

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: That was a good outfit. I remember storming the ramparts of Chapultepec with one-time George Pickett, Reynolds, my old friend Ulysses Sam Grant. There was some skillful men in that army.

General Robert E. Lee: Yes sir, in that location were indeed.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Some of those men are waiting for us now up ahead on those ridges.

[pause]

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: I don't know. I sometimes feel troubled. Those fellas - those boys in bluish - they never quite seem the enemy.

General Robert E. Lee: I know.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: I used to control some of those boys. Swore an oath too. Ah... I - I couldn't fight confronting Georgia, South Carolina. Non confronting my own family...

General Robert Eastward. Lee: No Sir. There was e'er a higher duty to Virginia. That was our first duty. There was never whatsoever question or doubt near that.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Estimate so.

General Robert E. Lee: Permit us no think most that at present. The issue is in God'due south easily. We can only practice our duty. General, soldiering has 1 great trap: to be a adept solider you must dear the ground forces. To be a practiced commander, you lot must be willing to order the death of the thing you lot love. We practise non fearfulness our own death, yous and I. Merely there comes a time... We are never quite prepared for so many to dice. Oh, nosotros do expect the occasional empty chair. A salute to fallen comrades. Only this war goes on and on and the men die and the price gets ever higher. We are prepared to lose some of u.s., but we are never prepared to lose all of u.s.a.. And there is the groovy trap, General. When you attack, you must hold nothing back. You must commit yourself totally. We are adrift here in a sea of claret and I want it to end. I want this to be the final battle.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Tell me something, Buster... What do you lot call back of Negroes?

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: Well, if you lot mean the race, I don't really know. This is not a matter to be ashamed of. The thing is, you cannot gauge a race. Any man who judges by the grouping is a pea-wit. Yous take men ane at a time.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: You lot see to me there was never any deviation.

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: None at all?

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: None at all. Of course, I haven't known that many freed men... But those I knew in Bangor, Portland... You expect in the heart, there was a man. There was a "divine spark," every bit my mother used to telephone call information technology. That is all there is to it. Races are men. "What a piece of piece of work is man. How infinite in faculties and grade, and movement... How limited and beauteous. In action how like an affections.

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: Well, if he'south an angel, all right and so... Just he damn well must be a killer angel. Colonel, darling, you're a lovely man. I meet a vast great difference between the states, yet I admire you, lad. You lot're an idealist, praise be. The truth is, Colonel... There is no "divine spark". There's many a human being alive no more than of value than a dead canis familiaris. Believe me. When you've seen them hang each other the fashion I have back in the Old Country. Equality? What I'm fighting for is to evidence I'thousand a ameliorate man than many of them. Where have you seen this "divine spark" in operation, Colonel? Where have you noted this magnificent equality? No ii things on World are equal or have an equal take a chance. Non a leaf, non a tree. At that place's many a homo worse than me, and some ameliorate... Only I don't think race or country matters a damn. What matters, Colonel... Is justice. Which is why I'm here. I'll be treated as I deserve, not as my father deserved. I'm Kilrain... And I damn all gentlemen. There is just 1 aristocracy... And that is right here.

[points to his head]

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: And that'due south why nosotros've got to win this state of war.

[Chamberlain'southward regiment is posted atop Footling Circular Superlative]

Colonel Strong Vincent: Now nosotros'll see how professors fight.

General Robert E. Lee: [Lee is comtemplating the battle on the night of July ane]

[voiceover]

General Robert E. Lee: In the morning is the peachy battle. Tomorrow or the adjacent twenty-four hour period volition decide the war. Virginia is here. All the South is here. What will you do tomorrow? In the morning, the enemy will be up in fortified positions on high footing. Longstreet's corps volition be coming up, and... my boys'll be ready to finish the job. If I tell them to withdraw at present... no, sir. They've been patient for far besides long. With the enemy out there up on the colina, they'll exist ready to end the job. But I don't even know how much is upwards in that location. How many men? How many cannon? I don't know the basis or the flanks. I don't know. If I wait in the morn, the early morning, maybe Meade, under pressure, will attack. Hmm. That would brand General Longstreet very happy. But I don't call up Meade volition come down. And I don't call back I can withdraw. So... God's volition. Thy volition be done.

[Chamberlain is not feeling well and doesn't desire to ride the horse]

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: Colonel, darlin', could yous practise united states of america all a favor and get on the damn equus caballus?

[Longstreet orders Hood to take Little Round Tiptop]

Major General John Bell Hood: They don't even need guns to defend that! All they've got to do is curlicue rocks down on usa!

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: The last time I saw Winn he played that song. That very song. Back in California, nosotros were all together for the concluding time. Before we bankrupt up. Spring of '61. Almyra Hancock. You remember Almyra, Hancock'south married woman? Beautiful woman. Most perfect woman I ever saw. They were a cute couple. Beautiful. Garnett was with me that night. A lot of fellows from the sometime outfit. People standing effectually singing in the bluish uniform. Nosotros were leaving the side by side day. Some going northward, some going south. Splitting up. A soldier's farewell. "Goodbye." "Expert luck." "I'll meet you in hell." Do you lot remember that? Towards the end of the evening, we all sat around the piano. And Myra played that song there, that was the one she played. Mayhap for years, possibly forever, I'll never forget that. You know how information technology was, Pete. Winn was like a brother to me. Retrieve? Towards the end of the evening, things got a fiddling crude. We both began to... well, there were a lot of tears. I went over to Hancock. I took him by the shoulder. I said, "Winn, so help me, if I always enhance my hand against you, may God strike me dead." Own't seen him since. He was at Malverne Hill, White Oak Swamp, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg. One of these days, I will run into him, I'thou afraid. Across that pocket-size, mortiferous infinite. I thought most sitting this one out. Only I can't do that. That wouldn't be right either. I gauge not. Thank you, Peter. I had to talk about that.

[on Pickett'south charge]

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: You know what's gonna happen? I'll tell yous what's gonna happen. Troops are now forming behind the line of copse. When they come out, they'll be under enemy long-range arms fire. Solid shot. Percussion. Every gun they accept. Troops will come out under fire with more than a mile to walk. And still, inside the open field, among the range of aimed muskets. They'll be slowed past that fence out there, and the germination - what'due south left of information technology - will brainstorm to come apart. When they cross that route, they'll exist under short-range artillery. Canister burn. Thousands of little bits of shrapnel wiping the holes in the lines. If they get to the wall without breaking upwardly, at that place won't be many left. A mathematical equation... Only maybe, just peradventure, our own artillery volition break up their defenses. There'due south always that promise.

[sighs]

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: That'due south Hancock out at that place, and he ain't gonna run. So information technology'due south mathematical after all. If they go to that road, or beyond it, we'll suffer over l percent casualties. Simply, Harrison, I don't believe my boys volition reach that wall.

Col. Arthur Freemantle: You telephone call yourselves Americans, but yous're really just transplanted Englishmen. Wait at your names: Lee, Hood, Longstreet, Jackson, Stuart...

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: My people were Dutch...

Col. Arthur Freemantle: And the same for your adversaries: Meade, Hooker, Hancock, and - shall I say - Lincoln! The same God, same linguistic communication, same culture and history, same songs, stories, legends, myths - different dreams. Different dreams. And then very sad.

General Robert E. Lee: Yeah, sir, general. We volition attack the center. Merely I believe you are correct well-nigh the flank. Hood and McLaws were both very badly damaged yesterday. What I will do is give you two other divisions: General Pettigrew and Full general Trimble. They are stronger and more than rested, so you volition accept about 3 divisions at your command, including Pickett. Your objection will be that dodder of trees yonder.

[he points toward the Union line]

General Robert Eastward. Lee: The attack will be proceeded by massed artillery. Nosotros'll concentrate all our guns on that one small expanse. A feu d'enfer, as Napoleon would call information technology. When the artillery has had its outcome, your charge will break the line. You will take near 15,000 men at your command, full general. And yous may brainstorm whenever you are fix, but plan it well. Practice program it well, I pray you lot, sir. We stake everything on this.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Sir with your permission... Sir, I've been a soldier all my life. I've fought from the ranks on up, you know my service. But sir, I must tell you at present, I believe this attack volition fail. No 15,000 men always made could take that ridge. It's a distance of more than a mile, over open basis. When the men come out of the trees, they will be under fire from Yankee artillery from all over the field. And those are Hancock's boys! And now, they have the stone wall like we did at Fredericksburg.

General Robert Eastward. Lee: We practise our duty, general. We do what we must exercise.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: [resignedly] Yes, sir.

Sergeant 'Buster' Kilrain: Some of them, they load and load, they never burn. They just proceed right on loading. Some of them come dwelling with 7, viii bullets rammed upwards in the barrel, never fired a shot.

Individual Bucklin: I'g tired, Colonel. I've had all of this regular army and all of these officers, this damned Hooker, this damned idiot Meade, all of them, the whole encarmine lousy rotten mess of sick-brained, pot-bellied scabheads that ain't fit to atomic number 82 a johnny detail, own't fit to cascade pee out of a kick with instructions on the heel.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Many of u.s.a. volunteered to fight for the Marriage. Some came mainly because we were bored at home and this looked like information technology might be fun. Some came considering we were ashamed not to. Many came because it was the right affair to practice.

Major General Winfield Scott Hancock: Tell me, Professor. In your studies have you come beyond a story from artifact of 2 men who are the closest of friends, almost brothers, and then i day find themselves facing each other on the field of battle?

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Well, General, if the Greeks or Romans did not tell of it, I retrieve that story must surely be in the Bible.

Major General Winfield Scott Hancock: When I expect across the field and see the flags of the 9th and 14th Virginia; I can nigh see his old crumpled hat and hear his vocalisation. Lewis Armistead was my closest friend before the war. I'd like to see him again; but not here, not like this. What do you say, Colonel; what do the books tell you.

Col. Porter East. Alexander: We've been firing for a good while at present, sir. It'south credible now that the Federals nor nosotros will proceeds a clear advantage in this business. If we go along to expel our ammunition at this rate, nosotros might endanger our ability to support the advance.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: Did you not have enough ordnance when this was begun?

Col. Porter Due east. Alexander: Federal burn down compelled us to move the artillery railroad train further to the rear, sir. It's taken us longer to refill the capsules. Sir, nosotros must slow down our fire at present, or nosotros volition have to cutting dorsum on the guns sent in to support the infantry.

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: Damn! I'1000 going to have to lodge general Scout to hault his set on until these guns tin be replaced!

Col. Porter Alexander: Sir, the trains have little ammunition, it would take an hour to replace information technology. In the meantime, the enemy would better on the time. The longer we delay, the more time the Federals take to strengthen their own line. And even if we recovered more supplies from the ordnance railroad train, how much more than harm could we inflict on them than they on u.s.a.? They're bringing in fresh batteries as rapidly as they drive them off!

Lt. Gen. James Longstreet: Merely become some more armament and keep information technology hot! I cannot transport in Picket's division or the others, until we articulate some of those guns off that ridge!

Brigadier Full general Lewis A. Armistead: What does Col. Fremantle retrieve? Will the British come up in on our side?

James L. Kemper: Oh, hell yes, they'll come in - they'll come up in when we don't demand 'em no more than. Just like some damn bank gon' loan you money when you no longuh in debt.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: [Lee and Longstreet are discussing Harrison's written report on the Matrimony army on the dark of thirty June] He says the lead element is hither with the Third Corps...

[he points on the map]

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: ... the 6th right behind...

[he points to a different spot]

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: ... supported by a column of Federal cavalry. Seven corps altogether. The Get-go and Eleventh are to a higher place Taneytown, and there's more cavalry 2 hours east. There may be as many equally 100,000 altogether.

Full general Robert E. Lee: Do you believe the man, this Mr. Harrison?

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: No choice. Oh, yous remember him, sir; the actor from Mississippi?

Full general Robert East. Lee: An actor? We motility on the discussion of an actor?

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Can't afford non to.

General Robert East. Lee: [Lee takes off his glasses and sits downwards in a camp chair] There would be some give-and-take from General Stuart. General Stuart would not leave us blind.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Oh, one other matter. Hooker's been replaced. George Meade's the new commander. Harrison read information technology in the Yankee papers.

General Robert East. Lee: [thoughtfully] George Meade. Pennsylvania man. Meade would be cautious, I recollect. Take him some time to get organized. Perhaps nosotros should move more than swiftly. There may exist an opportunity here.

Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Aye, sir.

General Robert E. Lee: Well...

[Lee gets up and walks back over to the map table]

General Robert Due east. Lee: ... no reason to delay. I think we should concentrate here.

[he points to a spot on the map]

General Robert E. Lee: All the roads converge just eastward of this gap, and this junction volition be very necessary.

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: Aye, sir.

Full general Robert Eastward. Lee: I left my glasses over there. What is the proper name of this town?

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: [Longstreet leans over and reads the name on the map] "Gettysburg."

General Robert Eastward. Lee: Very well.

Rice's Courier: [just before Pickett's Charge to the center of the Federal line] Colonel Rice has instructed me to tell yous're relieved, sir.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Relieved?

Rice'south Courier: Fresh troops are on their style upward and they'll take over here, sir. Colonel Rice wants to give you people a residuum. You are to fall back, and I am to testify y'all the way.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: [to himself] Fall back. Yes...

[turns to Ellis]

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Ellis, have the men fall in; we're moving out.

[to the courier]

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Where are we going?

Rice's Courier: Oh, sir! Lovely spot. Very tranquility. Safest place on the battlefield. Correct smack-dab in the heart.

[on Pickett]

Lieutenant Full general James Longstreet: His record at West Point is still the talk of both armies. He graduated concluding in his class, dead terminal. Quite a feat, when you consider his classmates.

Gen. Buford: At that place's an erstwhile Indian maxim: "Follow the cigar fume, detect the fat human there."

[Historical quote, to Confederate troops about to begin their assail of 3 July]

Major Full general George E. Pickett: Upwards men! And to your posts! And let no man forget today, that you are from Onetime Virginia!

[Historical quote]

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: Virginians! Virginians! For your land - for your homes - for your sweethearts - for your wives - for Virginia! Forward... march!

Major General George E. Pickett: Sirs, perhaps at that place are those among you who believe yous are descended from a ape. I suppose there may even be those among y'all who believe that I am descended from a ape. But I challenge the human to footstep forward who believes that Full general Robert E. Lee is descended from a ape.

James L. Kemper: Hear, hear!

Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett: Not likely.

James 50. Kemper: [Kemper, Pickett, Garnett, and Col. Freemantle are sitting effectually a table playing cards, while Kemper expounds on the Amalgamated cause] You see, Colonel, uh... the government derives its ability from the consent of the people. Every government, everywhere. Well, let me brand this very plain to you, sir: we practice not consent, and nosotros volition *never* consent. And what you've got to exercise is -

[he stands up and looks straight at Freemantle]

James L. Kemper: - you've got to go dorsum over at that place to your Parliament, and you've gotta make it very plain to *them*. Y'all've gotta tell them that what we're fighting for here is the - is the liberty from what we consider to be the rule of a foreign ability! I mean, that'due south all nosotros desire. That'south what this state of war is all nigh.

Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett: Jim -

[he tries to pull Kemper back into his chair]

James L. Kemper: [brushes Garnett off] No, no, no, no. At present-now, we-we established this country in the first place with very strong state governments but for that very reason. I mean, uh... let me put it to you this manner: my domicile is in Virginia. The government of my home *is* abode. Virginia would not permit itself to be ruled past... by some, uh, king over there in London. And it'south non about to let itself be ruled by some president in Washington! Virginia, past God, sir, is gonna be run past *Virginians*!

Brigadier General Lewis A. Armistead: [Armistead and Longstreet are walking by and overhear this] Oh, my. "The Crusade."

Major General George E. Pickett: [looks at his cards] Really, Jimmy, I got a pair of kings.

[laughs]

James Fifty. Kemper: [keeps plowing on] And it'southward all for the Yankees, the damn, money-grubbin' Yankees. I mean, those damn fools, they don't get the message! Ever the darkies, nothin' merely the darkies.

Major General George E. Pickett: Yous know, Jim... ahem. Sit down.

[he abruptly pulls Kemper back into his seat]

Major General George E. Pickett: I think that my idea, my, uh... my analogy of a gentlemen's club is-is fair enough. It'due south clear enough.

[he turns to Freemantle]

Major General George Due east. Pickett: Colonel, think on it, at present. Now you suppose that we all join a club, a gentlemen's club. And then, well, after a time, several of the members began to, uh... began to *intrude* themselves into our private lives, our home lives. Began tellin' u.s.a. what we could do, what nosotros couldn't do. Well, and then, wouldn't whatever one of the states have the correct to resign? I mean, just...

[he snaps his fingers]

Major General George Eastward. Pickett: ... resign. Well, that'due south what nosotros did. That'southward what *I* did, and now these people are tellin' us that nosotros don't have that right to resign.

James L. Kemper: Well...

[he starts chuckling]

James 50. Kemper: I gotta hand it to yous, George. Y'all certainly do take a talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious. You always considered runnin' for Congress?

Brig. Gen. Richard B. Garnett: Oooh.

Major Full general George E. Pickett: [laughs] It's a idea.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: [Chamberlain is addressing his junior officers before the Amalgamated assail on Little Round Tiptop] Gentlemen... the 83rd Pennsylvania, 44th New York, and 16th Michigan will exist moving in to our right. Just if you look to our left, you volition see that there is no one at that place. It'southward because we're the terminate of the line. The Matrimony army stops here. Nosotros are the flank. Exercise y'all understand, gentlemen? We cannot retreat. Nosotros cannot withdraw. We are going to have to be stubborn today. Then, you put the boys in position, you tell them to stay down. Pile the rocks upwards high; become the best protection you can. I want the reserve pulled up well-nigh 20 yards. This is sloping ground, information technology's good ground. If yous accept any breakthroughs, if you lot have men wounded, if you have a hole in the line, you plug it with the reserve. How are nosotros fixed for ammunition?

Capt. Ellis Spear: Sir, I call back about 60 rounds per man.

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: That's adept. 60 rounds. I call up - I... yes, that's adequate. Any questions?

Young 20th Maine Officer: Colonel... seems to me the fighting'south on that side of the hill.

Older 20th Maine Officer: Yep. Seems to me that nosotros're the back door. Everything'southward goin' on at the front door.

[all merely Chamberlain laugh]

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: Well, gentlemen, that loma is steep. It's rocky. It'due south bare. To come straight upward information technology is impossible. No. The Reb army is going to swing effectually. It'south gonna come up through that notch right over at that place. It'll motion under the cover of trees, attempt to become 'round the flank. And gentlemen... *we* are the flank. Gentlemen.

[he salutes, and all the others return information technology]

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: God go with you.

Gen. Buford: [equally the Confederates endeavour their start attack] Got ane brigade in position and that'due south all. We got the best damn basis around and they're hitting me with one brigade... lovely. Lovely!

[turns effectually and looks with his binoculars for Gen. Reynolds, seeing no sign]

Gen. Buford: Damn!

20th Maine soldier: [guarding several newly captured Amalgamated prisoners] Colonel! I've been moving these Rebs with an empty musket!

Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain: [whispering] No then loud!

Amalgamated Sentry: Howdy, friend. Where are you headed?

Henry T. Harrison: General Longstreet. I gotta run across the General.

Amalgamated Sentry: Is that a fact?

Henry T. Harrison: I know General Lee has his headquarters up here a little ways. Wherever he is General Longstreet is nearby. You fellows take me that way, this is urgent.

Confederate Watch: Permit me put it to you similar this, stranger. You're not in compatible and you're coming through my sentry line. I'll accept you upwards at that place, just if nobody dorsum there knows y'all, well, I guess unfortunately, you'll have to exist hanged.

Gen. Robert Due east. Lee: [Lee and Longstreet ride to an observation point to plan their attack] Full general Longstreet, you have General Pickett now, he'southward fresh. I want you to bring your corps forrad. Have those heights in the center and carve up the Federal line.

Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet: Sir uh... my two divisions, Hood'southward and McLaws'... well sir, they executed a forced march yesterday and went direct into the fight; lost half their strength. Sustained 50% casualties, sir. They are tired and need a rest. There are now 3 Federal corps on those two rocky hills on our correct flank. If I move all my people forward, well, we won't have a flank at all. They'll simply swing around and trounce us. They are well entrenched upwards there, they aim to fight. They got good artillery and plenty of it. Sir, any set on we make will exist uphill, over open up ground. How practise we communicate? How practise nosotros coordinate attack? They're all massed together, damn nigh in a circle. Skilful interior lines. Anywhere we hit them, they'll bring up reinforcements in a thing of minutes. Only we effort to bring up support: they have to come from miles away and their cannon will run across every move. Hell, their cannon are looking downward on us right now.

Gen. Robert E. Lee: [Determined] In the center they will suspension...

Lieut. Gen. James Longstreet: Sir?

Gen. Robert E. Lee: They will break in the center. Those people volition exist gaining men from all directions, guns by the thousands, and Richmond has zilch left to send united states, then if we stay, we fight. If we retreat at present, we will accept fought here for two days and volition leave knowing nosotros could not drive him off. And I have never all the same left the enemy in command of this field, no sir. Retreat is no longer an option. The enemy has been attacked on both wings, he has reinforced at that place and is strongest in that location on the wings, the hills and the rocks. And then, the weak point is in the heart. They have command of the high footing. But in that long slope, you see there?

[Lee points]

Gen. Robert Due east. Lee: The long slope in the middle... there is where he is most vulnerable. General Pickett'due south Virginians are the only people non nonetheless engaged, yes?

[Longstreet nods]

Gen. Robert E. Lee: With General Longstreet in command, my Erstwhile War Equus caballus, coming together the enemy face to face, on footing of his own choosing and with honor, we will prevail.

[Lee rides off]