Chapter 18 – This poem “General Longstreet 3rd Day Gettysburg” focuses on General Robert E. Lee telling General James Longstreet about the battle strategy for the 3rd Day. Lee plans to attack the Union Center with a frontal attack. This will happen after a long cannonade bombardment. Longstreet does not like the plan, but Lee insists.
“General, I have been a soldier all my life. I have been with soldiers engaged in fights by couples, by squads, companies, regiments, divisions, and armies, and should know, as well as any one, what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arranged for battle can take that position.” – General James Longstreet
by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
General James Longstreet General Robert E. Lee
Chapter 18 – General Longstreet 3rd Day Gettysburg
Moving southeast was still possible
Road to Washington still clear
Lee could just issue the order
To maneuver in Meade’s rear
But Lee had made up his mind
He was set in his way
They would stay and fight
Another bloody battle today
Union cavalry now closing in
On Longstreet’s flank right
He extended Hood’s division
To be ready for the fight
Lee rode up to Longstreet
Old Pete saluted Bobby Lee
Time to explain
Today’s battle strategy
Longstreet mounted his horse
Rode with Lee towards Emmitsburg Road fences
Viewed across a long rolling field
Saw enemy defenses
Lee lifted his arm
Pointed to a ridge black
“We will strike there
That’s where we’ll attack”
“You will have Pickett with Hill’s support
There is where you’ll enter
Take those heights there
In the Union center”
“An artillery barrage
Will precede you
Fixed on that one point
Pont au feu” ( A preliminary artillery bombardment – French – bridge on fire)
Groping for words
Longstreet shook his head
It was a suicide charge
Most would end up dead
Over an open field mile
Enfilade would plaster
Killing massive numbers
A total disaster
Lee understood
That the earth would quake
Cannon balls rain
But believed the Union line would break
Lee was determined
He became more assertive
They would attack the Union center
There was no alternative
Longstreet would have
Command of strong brigades nine
Ready to charge
Into the Union line
Fifteen thousand valorous men
Racing toward the ridge black
Led by Pickett, Pettigrew, and Trimble
They were ready to attack
Once they got across the field
And the ridge was near
J.E.B Stuart’s cavalry
Would be attacking the rear
But the Union Center was not weak
In fact it was very strong
General Hancock commanding thousands
A mighty Yankee throng
Longstreet could see the end clearly
It was impossible to win
As they came out of the woods
Union artillery would begin
Long range artillery
Percussion shell and solid shot
Every gun on Cemetery Hill firing
Raining iron burning hot
Under steady fire
More than a mile to walk
Through a battering barrage
Of horrid awe and shock
Just a few hundred yards out
Rifles would start aiming
Picking them off one by one
Killing and maiming
Fire would become heavier
When they crossed the road
Canister blasts and cannon balls
Their world would explode
As they got closer
Double canister would be used
Too many dead and wounded
Others totally dazed and confused
If any reached the wall
They wouldn’t break through
Overwhelmed and outnumbered
Just impossible to do