A Change in Plans

A Change in Plans. July 3. Following the fighting on July 2, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered Generals Ewell and Longstreet to launch coordinated morning assaults on both ends of the Union line. Around 4:30 am, however, this plan fell apart when Federal artillery fired on Culp’s Hill, forcing Ewell to accelerate his attack. Longstreet’s men did not advance. Lee revised his battle plan, boldly deciding to attack what he believed was the weakest point of the Union position: the center, where you now stand. By ordering a charge across low, open fields, like those to your front, when the enemy had the high ground was an enormous risk. Longstreet objected saying, “no 15,000 men ever arrayed for battle can take that position,” but Lee was determined. From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 150 Confederate cannon pounded this position, paving the way for the frontal assault, Pickett’s Charge., (caption) , From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm an ominous silence blanketed the field. Union infantry, behind the stone wall, waited uneasily for what might happen next. When the Confederate guns opened up, these soldiers hunkered down to avoid murderous iron.