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It is now June 30th, and the armies both North and South have assembled near Gettysburg. During the afternoon, Union Cavalry Brigidiar General John Buford rode out with his staff and aides along the Cashtown Pike, west of Gettysburg, and spotted a large column of rebel infantry several miles away. He ordered pickets along the road, under the command of Colonel Devin, to keep an eye out for the rebel advance,. Buford knew that he must hold the high ground for any chance of a Union victory. Without the high ground, the rebels would sweep over the fields, take the hills, and slaughter the Union army. He only had enough dismounted men to have one man per yard, stretched out thinly West of Gettysburg. Buford immediately sent a letter to Union Infantry commander John Reynolds, to bring up the First Corps for support. Reynolds was still a half a days march away though. Buford would have to wait till morning until he could get support.
Meanwhile on the Rebel side, everything was going according to plan, or so they thought. About a month earlier, Confederate Cavalry General J. E. B. Stuart took his cavalry, and made daring raids up North, separating himself from the rest of the army.
In those days, the cavalry were used as scouts and probes. They would find the enemy, relay the numbers and strength, and probe to see how ready to fight they were. Without Stuart however, Lee was left virtually blind as to where the enemy was. It was a catastrophe that would bring the South to its most dire situation.
On the evening on June 30th, 1863, just as dusk was falling, many soldiers still didn't know what was happening. They knew a battle was on the way though. Letters were written, some were read, and re-read. Many puffed nervously away with their clay or wooden pipes. Countless soldiers prayed to God to deliver them to safety the following morning. Many took little slips of paper with their names written on them, an sewed them into their uniforms so their bodies could be identified. A few in the camp would bring out instruments, and play Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, Home Sweet Home, The Girl I left behind, Battle Cry of Freedom, and Just before the battle, mother, depending on the army. Soldiers would sing along, and many would fight back sobs from singing songs about home.
Others just cleaned and checked their muskets, while most just stared into the fire with a daze. They knew that not all of them would make it the next morning.
"Just before the battle, Mother,
I am thinking most of you
While upon the fields we're watching,
With the enemy in view
Comrades, brave, are round me lying
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow
Some will sleep beneath the sod
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain
Hark, I hear the bugels sounding
'Tis the signal for the fight
Now may God protect us, Mother
As he ever does the right
Hear the battle cry of freedom
How it swells up in the air
Yes, we'll rally round the standard
Or we'll perish nobly there
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain"
Meanwhile on the Rebel side, everything was going according to plan, or so they thought. About a month earlier, Confederate Cavalry General J. E. B. Stuart took his cavalry, and made daring raids up North, separating himself from the rest of the army.
In those days, the cavalry were used as scouts and probes. They would find the enemy, relay the numbers and strength, and probe to see how ready to fight they were. Without Stuart however, Lee was left virtually blind as to where the enemy was. It was a catastrophe that would bring the South to its most dire situation.
On the evening on June 30th, 1863, just as dusk was falling, many soldiers still didn't know what was happening. They knew a battle was on the way though. Letters were written, some were read, and re-read. Many puffed nervously away with their clay or wooden pipes. Countless soldiers prayed to God to deliver them to safety the following morning. Many took little slips of paper with their names written on them, an sewed them into their uniforms so their bodies could be identified. A few in the camp would bring out instruments, and play Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, Home Sweet Home, The Girl I left behind, Battle Cry of Freedom, and Just before the battle, mother, depending on the army. Soldiers would sing along, and many would fight back sobs from singing songs about home.
Others just cleaned and checked their muskets, while most just stared into the fire with a daze. They knew that not all of them would make it the next morning.
"Just before the battle, Mother,
I am thinking most of you
While upon the fields we're watching,
With the enemy in view
Comrades, brave, are round me lying
Filled with thoughts of home and God
For well they know that on the morrow
Some will sleep beneath the sod
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain
Hark, I hear the bugels sounding
'Tis the signal for the fight
Now may God protect us, Mother
As he ever does the right
Hear the battle cry of freedom
How it swells up in the air
Yes, we'll rally round the standard
Or we'll perish nobly there
Farewell, Mother, you may never
Press me to your heart again
But, oh, you'll not forget me, Mother
If I'm numbered with the slain"
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