by Karen Holt
When the majority of Americans think of the month of July, generally pictures of fireworks, picnics and Americana decorations fill their mind, to be enjoyed on the 4th day of that month. Most, however, fail to remember, or have no knowledge of how bloody the first three days of that month truly were 150 years ago.
The Battle of Gettysburg opened on July 1, 1863 as troops from northern Virginia, under the command of Confederate General Robert E. Lee clashed with the Army of the Potomac, led by Union Major General George G. Meade. What became a major battle between these two armies ended with the Union forces in retreat.
As morning became afternoon,
additional Union troops from the XI Corps arrived and helped hold a
semicircle position from the west to the north of Gettysburg. The Confederates launched an attack from all directions; Lt. General Richard S. Ewell’s Confederate Second Corps moved in from the north, Major General Robert E. Rodes came from Oak Hill and Major General Jubal A. Early
crossed the open fields north of town. Though they faced extensive
heavy pressure, the Union lines held for the most part, with only Barlow’s Knoll being overrun.
Karen Holt's professional writing career debuted shortly after she moved from
Texas to Idaho in 2003. When she first joined Examiner.com, Karen began
writing about her beloved Idaho. A sermon by her pastor prior to
Memorial Day inspired her to create articles about America's military in
an effort to bring out unique facts few people had ever heard. Now as
the Historic Americans Examiner, Karen seeks to reveal those unsung
American heroes and heroines normally left out of the history books,
while adding to what is already known about many famous Americans.
In addition to her work with Examiner.com, Karen is the author of two
novels under her pen name, Caryn O'Donnell - Destiny Lends a Hand and
Cyber's Destiny. She presently makes her home in Garden City, ID with
her cat, DC, who has played a starring role in both stories.
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