Pickett's Charge at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
July 2013 was the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg which occurred July 1-3, 1863. Confederate forces under General Robert E Lee invaded the north in the hopes of winning a decisive victory against the Union Army. The first two days of the battle had been inconclusive so Lee tried a frontal assault on the Union's center position thinking it weaker than the flanks which he had attacked the previous day. General George Meade commander of the Union Army predicted such a maneuver and put troops in his center for just such an attack. Cavalry General JEB Stuart was sent to the Union rear to cause confusion and support the center assault but he was forced to withdraw. Around 1, an intensive artillery barrage commenced which was the largest of the war. Around 2 or 3 (depends on who you ask), Pickett's brigade along with brigades from General A.P. Hill's moved forward to cross nearly a mile of open field exposed to deadly Union cannon fire and the...