Editor’s note: Please enjoy a reprise of this July 4th post originally written in 2017. Happy Independence Day from the Daily Gopher!
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.