The Days Before the Battle
Lee moved his Army of Northern Virginia north. The hungry Confederate troops spread out over a wide area of western Pennsylvania, raiding the rich farmland to feed themselves. General J. E. B. Stuart and his confederate cavalry had gotten separated far to the east, and were not able to supply Lee with important information on the Union Army's movements. Stuart would not arrive in Gettysburg in time to have an impact on the battle.
After a late start, the Army of the Potomac followed the rebels toward Pennsylvania. As the Federal troops moved farther north the local people started treating them with more kindness. This helped to ease the burden of the long, hard marches. But summer heat took its toll, and boots were wearing out causing feet to become bloody.
Lee moved his Army of Northern Virginia north. The hungry Confederate troops spread out over a wide area of western Pennsylvania, raiding the rich farmland to feed themselves. General J. E. B. Stuart and his confederate cavalry had gotten separated far to the east, and were not able to supply Lee with important information on the Union Army's movements. Stuart would not arrive in Gettysburg in time to have an impact on the battle.
After a late start, the Army of the Potomac followed the rebels toward Pennsylvania. As the Federal troops moved farther north the local people started treating them with more kindness. This helped to ease the burden of the long, hard marches. But summer heat took its toll, and boots were wearing out causing feet to become bloody.
"It was one of the heart breaking marches of our experience and many men wilted in the scorching heat and the dust like mown grass. There were a number of fatal cases of sunstroke, and some dying as quickly as if struck by a bullet in a vital part. All of the ambulances were filled with helpless men and those left behind were coming in all of the first part of the night." |
"Those who left the Rappahonack twelve days before, with new shoes on their feet, were now practically bare footed; and there were quite a number of feet so badly bruised or blistered that they walked like foundered horses." |
Approaching a creek, several Minnesotans broke ranks and walked across logs to keep their feet dry (wet feet led to blisters). This direct violation of orders resulted in the arrest of their commander, Colonel Colvill.