Ask a Gettysburg Guide 135 Union Defense Against Pickett's Charge- with Jim Hessler

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Jim Hessler is back for this follow-up to episode 122 which focused on Pickett's Charge from the Confederate perspective. Tonight, he's talking about the Union's defense of its center against the Confederate assault.

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Jeffrey Pasnik
AG LOTY 2025

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Isn't Gettysburg history so interesting, the more you dig into it? We think it is. And this one is something we would have loved to witness.

In 1922, the US Marine Corps was fighting for its life. Many in Washington, including the Commander-in-Chief, wanted to disband the Marines even though they fought valiantly in WWI. So, the Marines campaigned to stay alive by showing the American People who they are and why they're needed.

General John A. Lejeune had two goals for the Marine Corps. He wanted Marines to become better fighters by learning from past wars and testing new ways to fight. But he also wanted the American people to see the value of the Marine Corps at a time when some people were questioning whether the country even needed it.

Instead of holding military exercises in places far from the public, Lejeune wanted to bring the Marines to famous historic sites where people could watch them train. As Gunnery Sergeant Thomas E. Williams explained, the Marines could practice working with artillery, armor, and aircraft while also putting themselves in front of the American public.

Gettysburg was a perfect place to do it. At the time, Gettysburg and other national battlefields were still controlled by the U.S. War Department. That meant they could be used for military training.

General Smedley D. Butler took command of the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia, in June 1920. He is credited with the idea of holding these exercises on famous American battlefields. Butler believed the Marines could study the decisions made by Civil War commanders, practice their own skills, and give the public a chance to see the Marine Corps in action.

The idea was simple: train the Marines while also showing Americans why the Marine Corps mattered.

LBG Rich Kohr joins us to talk about this lesser-known event in Gettysburg's history.

Check out Rich's presentation from the COVID days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjR_Z8ZWHm8&t=4401s

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September 19, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Union vs. Confederate Artillery on July 3, 1863
Led by LBG Lewis Trott

What decisions made by either side were most impactful on the outcome of the July 3 fight? Were there any advantages lost by decisions made by artillery commanders?

Park where legal with all 4 wheels on the pavement.

Meet at Zeigler's Grove near Woodruff's Battery