Reenacting Pickett’s Charge – 150 Years Later

Story and photography by Brendan Raleigh

On a hot, humid July day, Old Glory and the Confederate battle flag fluttered gently in the wind as their respective carriers faced each other from a mile away. The roar of cannon fire pierced the air suddenly and the cries of Union soldiers shouting, “Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!” could be heard from across the battlefield as the Confederate Army of reenactors advanced across the open field, just as the actual Confederate Army had 150 years ago under Maj. Gen. George Pickett.

Thousands gathered on the Gettysburg battlefield on Wednesday, July 3 to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Gen. George Pickett’s Charge, which many historians view as the most significant turning point of the Civil War. It not only dealt the Confederate Army a crushing defeat, ending Robert E. Lee’s Gettysburg Campaign, but it also dashed the South’s hopes of ever successfully invading the North.

The commemoration began as the Confederate reenactors emerged from the tree line to begin their fateful march across the fields. Nine National Park Service rangers led groups representing each of the Confederate brigades, and three rangers led three Union divisions stationed at Cemetery Ridge.

No rifle shots were fired during the march, as the commemoration served, not as an act of recreation, but one of deference and remembrance of the thousands who fell on the battlefield in 1863.

For some, such as U.S. Army veteran Tim Booker of Dolton, Illinois, the act of paying one’s respects to fallen warriors is a far more personal matter.

Tim Booker, Dolton, Illinois

“I fell in love with [Gettysburg] 16 years ago,” says Booker. “This is my fourth time coming here and I plan on coming here as much as I can. I’m here to honor the vets. I’m here to honor all of those who fought for freedom.”

Crowds of tourists, locals and members of the media lined up along what is known as “the high-water mark”—the farthest point at which Southern soldiers were able to advance—to witness the tribute, snapping pictures and cheering along with the Confederate soldiers as they issued their famous “rebel yell,” waving their hats and weapons proudly. From all across the country, people came to the battlefield to be a part of what one visitor from upstate New York called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

After the soldiers completed their march, the crowd of onlookers and reenactors all bowed their heads in silence in deference as buglers and drummers played “Taps.” The scene evoked the haunting memory of those thousands of men who lost their lives that day.

Officials from the National Park Services estimates a total of approximately 35,000-40,000 people were at the Pickett’s Charge Commemorative March, including approximately 15,000 who crossed the fields. No serious injuries were reported.

An Independence Day Parade was previously scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening, but an emergency in the Gettysburg area demanded the police’s attention elsewhere, which resulted in the parade’s cancellation.

View more photographs from the Pickett's Charge Commemorative March on Celebrate Gettysburg's Facebook page.