On July 1, 1863 two Confederate brigades, one from Tennessee and one from Mississippi advanced down the Cashtown pike engaging elements of Union General John Buford’s Cavalry division west of the sleepy little Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Bufford’s mission is clear, Buy time for the first Corp and the rest of the Union army to arrive. Buffords cavalry is able to halt the Confederate advance for two hours allowing the first infantry brigades of the first Corps to arrive on the scene. However, Confederate General A.P. Hill deploys two more divisions and the Confederate II Corps under General Ewell is advancing from the North. By late afternoon the Rebels have taken Semminary ridge and forced the Union forces to retreat south of town. The rout is on. With the sun setting General Lee gives an ambiguous order to General Richard Ewell to push the scattered Union forces from Cemetery Hill, “if practical.” Ewell decides against such action, which becomes a pivotal point in the battle. Day one goes to the Confederacy but Ewell’s failure to act is a major turning point.
Tragedy and Farce 