Civil War Journal: Pickett's Charge

This Civil War Journal presents the Battle of Gettysburg. Known as the bloodiest battle in U.S. history, Gettysburg accounted for the combined Confederate and Union casualties of over 50,000 American soldiers. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. Pickett's Charge examines the tactical aspects of the whole battle, focusing on the futile bravery of Pickett's Charge, as well as the human loss.

This program would be helpful for classes on American history, local history and geography. It is appropriate for middle and high school.

• ante-bellum
• apex
• aptitude
• bivouac
• carnage
• convergence fire
• decisive
• extremities
• flanks
• gallantry
• grievously
• havoc
• immortality
• incompetence
• insinuations
• intelligence
• intimidating
• militia
• onus
• perpetual
• poignant
• projectiles
• recanting
• reinforcements
• resounding
• ruminates
• shrapnel
• slacken
• superbly
• unscathed

Discussion Questions

1. The Battle of Gettysburg is known as the turning point of the Civil War. Why? How did the battle change the outcome of the war?

2. What might have been the outcome of the battle if General Longstreet had followed General Lee's instructions and attacked the left and right flanks of the Army of the Potomac?

3. How might the Battle of Gettysburg be different if it took place today using modern weapons of warfare?

4. When General Armistead leads his charge, he tells his men to "remember your wives, mothers, sisters and sweethearts." Why do you think he says this to his men? What are the emotional motivations to his soldiers?

5. One of the causes of the battle was the Confederate soldiers' need of shoes. How do supplies, other than weapons, affect an army?

6. Why did the Union Army have such an advantage by their position on Cemetery Ridge?

7. What do you think about the insinuation that George Pickett might have been a coward by directing his troops from the rear? If Pickett had died or been wounded, do you think his honor or courage would have been questioned?

8. Why do you think that the men who fought this battle did so, and so bravely, knowing their chances of survival were slim?

Extended Activities

1. Imagine that you are a soldier who fought in this battle. What would you record in your diary?

2. If you live in the eastern regions of the United States, research your local history archives and/or library to see if soldiers from your area fought at Gettysburg. Were the local soldiers Union or Confederate? Were they directly involved in Pickett's Charge?

3. Write an essay in which you compare Pickett's Charge and Custer's Last Stand. What are the similarities and differences in the battles, the generals and the circumstances?

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