Heroism seldom occurs without a mistake, and it was no different around 4pm on July 2, 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 in to the half mile wide opening.
The Union held the veteran troops in reserve. Green troops in the front because green troops run instead of holding their lines. Veterans stand their ground. No regiment was more veteran than the 1st Minnesota.