Editor’s Note: Since the original post in 2017, we have run this story every year on July 4th. This year I have updated it with a new section.
Sacrifice
Heroism seldom occurs without a mistake, and it was no different around 4 pm on July 2nd, 1863. Union General Sickles, a political appointee without a military background, advanced his men without authorization to higher ground 1000 meters ahead of his original position, creating a gap in the Union lines. Cemetery Ridge was now vulnerable, and Confederate forces poured into the half-mile-wide opening.
The Union held the veteran troops in reserve.