Download Gettysburg - ANSWER KEY

“The Civil War”
Disc Three – Episode Five – ANSWER KEY
Produced by Ken Burns
"The Universe of Battle"
Gettysburg: The First Day
1. For what reason did the Confederates enter Gettysburg?
Supply of shoes… recognition from Britain and France
2. What Confederate General wanted to get behind the Union forces (between them
and Washington D.C.) and wait for them to attack?
General Longstreet
Gettysburg: The Second Day
3. What was the strategic significance of “Little Round Top?”
Held the high ground overlooking the battlefield
4. Describe Chamberlain’s “unlikely plan.”
Swinging Gate
5. Who finally arose and fired on the Confederates from their left?
Company B
6. How many Confederates did General Chamberlain capture in holding “Little
Round Top”?
7. What percentage of the 262 members of a Minnesota regiment was killed on day
two at Gettysburg?
47 survived unhurt – 82% casualties – a North Carolina regiment lost everyone
8. What did General Longstreet mean by saying General Lee’s “blood was up?”
He was determined to fight.
9. According to historian Stephen B. Oates, what would lead to General Lee’s doom?
Hubris – over-confidence in his army after several victories in 1862 and early
1863 – had come to believe they were invincible
Gettysburg: The Third Day
10. Who did General Lee choose to charge General Meade at Cemetery Ridge?
General George E. Pickett – dashing, perfumed, and inexperienced in battle
11. How did General Winfield Scott Hancock keep up the Union morale?
Rode up and down the lines on horseback
12. Who was convinced that Picket’s charge was a mistake?
General James Longstreet
13. How many rebels charged Cemetery Ridge at the pace of 100 yards per minute?
“Harder not to go than to go.” Foote
“Don’t forget that today you are from “Old Virginia”
13,000 men – forbidden to fire or give the Rebel yell until ordered to do so
14. What did the Union troops begin to chant as the battle began?
“Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!”
15. What Confederate General seized a Union battery before being shot down?
Confederates reached a crook in the stone wall only in one place known as “The
Angle” – General Armistead – stepped over wall waving his sword!
16. What was possibly General Lee’s finest hour?
Taking the blame for the disaster at Gettysburg
17. To whom was Pickett referring when he said, “That old man had my division
slaughtered”?
General Lee – Walked out into the field and met the retreating men there - “All
this has been my fault.” Offered his resignation to Jefferson Davis.
18. How many men were lost at Gettysburg?
Gettysburg was the price the Confederacy paid for having R.E. Lee… that was the
mistake he made… the mistake of all mistakes.”
6,500 men fallen or captured
North = 23,000 casualties
South = 28,000 casualties
19. Why was President Lincoln furious with General Meade after Gettysburg?
For not completing crushing the Confederate Army after Gettysburg
She Ranks Me
20. Describe the service of women in the Civil War.
Vicksburg
21. Where were Vicksburg’s women and children hiding while being attacked by the
Union?
In the tunnels and caves dug out in the hillside – ate mules, horses and dogs –
Gazette printed on wallpaper – “Living like plant roots” - called “Prairie Dog
Town”
22. On what day did 31,000 Rebels surrender at Vicksburg?
July 4, 1863
23. Who was now the hero of the Union Army in the South?
Grant – “It is now conceded that all talk of British intervention is ended.” Henry
Adams
24. “We have lost the ____________ and our nation is ____________, and there is
not enough left to fight for.”
Mississippi, divided