The Gettysburg Story

Narrator: OVER THREE DAYS ACROSS THESE RIDGES AND FIELDS.

THROUGH THESE WOODS AND CREEKS.

ON THIS GROUND.

AMERICA WILL LIVE OR DIE.

JOIN US!

AMERICA'S GREATEST BATTLE AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE...

THE GETTYSBURG STORY.

THE UNITED STATES IS DESTROYING ITSELF.

CIVIL WAR HAS TORN THE NATION IN TWO.

NORTH FIGHTS SOUTH.

THE AMERICAN DREAM IS WITHERING.

NOW, IN JUNE 1863, TWO MASSIVE ARMIES ARE ON THE MARCH, LURCHING ACROSS HILLS AND FIELDS TOWARDS EACH OTHER.

SOON THEY WILL COLLIDE IN THE GREATEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

THE AMERICAN DREAM WILL LIVE OR DIE BY THE OUTCOME HERE, AT THIS CROSSROADS TOWN, GETTYSBURG.

THE CIVIL WAR BEGAN TWO YEARS EARLIER.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

HE BELIEVES IN A FREE A COUNTRY, WHERE ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL, BUT SLAVERY DIVIDES THE NATION.

LINCOLN KNOWS "A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND.

AS A NATION OF FREE MEN, WE MUST LIVE THROUGH ALL TIME OR DIE BY SUICIDE."

LINCOLN'S ANTI-SLAVERY BELIEFS LED TO 11 SOUTHERN STATES LEAVING THE UNION TO FORM THE CONFEDERACY.

WAR ERUPTED.

NOW, IN JUNE 1863, LINCOLN'S ARMY IS LOSING THE WAR.

CONFEDERATE GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE WINS BATTLE AFTER BATTLE.

LEE MOVES HIS MEN INTO PENNSYLVANIA.

LEE IS CONFIDENT IN HIS MIGHTY ARMY... "THERE NEVER WERE SUCH MEN IN AN ARMY BEFORE.

THEY WILL GO ANYWHERE AND DO ANYTHING IF PROPERLY LED."

HIS SOLDIERS BELIEVE HE IS INVINCIBLE.

LEE WANTS TO DESTROY THE UNION ARMY ON THEIR OWN GROUND.

THE CONFEDERATES WILL WIN THE WAR AND THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

THE END OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE UNION COMMAND IS IN TURMOIL.

LEE'S LEGEND GROWS, WHILE LINCOLN LOOKS FOR A GENERAL WHO CAN BEAT HIM.

ON JUNE 28, UNION GENERAL GEORGE MEADE IS AWAKENED AT 3:00 AM.

LINCOLN HAS MADE HIM COMMANDER OF THE LARGEST ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.

EXACTLY THREE DAYS LATER, MEADE WILL LEAD THE UNION ARMY INTO THE GREATEST BATTLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

LIKE MANY UNION SOLDIERS, PRIVATE ISAAC TAYLOR IS UNHAPPY WITH HIS FIFTH COMMANDING GENERAL IN 18 MONTHS... "I SHALL HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF CHANGING COMMANDERS ON THE EVE OF A BATTLE."

ISAAC TAYLOR AND HIS BROTHER, HENRY, ARE MEMBERS OF THE 1st MINNESOTA REGIMENT.

ISAAC WRITES IN HIS DIARY... "GENERAL LEE'S MAIN FORCE IS REPORTED TO BE IN MD & PA. WE SHALL PROBABLY PAY OUR RESPECTS TO HIM ONE OF THESE DAYS."

LEE WANTS A BATTLE BEFORE MEADE ADJUSTS TO HIS NEW COMMAND.

LEE ORDERS HIS ARMY TO CONCENTRATE NEAR GETTYSBURG.

TEN ROADS INTERSECTING IN GETTYSBURG MAKE THE TOWN CRUCIAL FOR BOTH ARMIES.

GETTYSBURG'S 2,400 PEOPLE ARE IN A FRENZY AS REBELS DRAW CLOSER.

REBELS TAKE FOOD, LIVESTOCK, AND LIQUOR.

THE CONFEDERATES CAPTURE FREE BLACKS TO SEND INTO SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH.

TERRORIZED BLACKS FLEE THE AREA.

A FREE BLACK FARMER, ABRAHAM BRYAN, LIVES SOUTH OF TOWN.

YEARS EARLIER, HIS WIFE HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED AND TAKEN SOUTH INTO SLAVERY.

NOW BRYAN FLEES HIS PROPERTY, THIS WHITE FARM HOUSE AND BARN ON CEMETERY RIDGE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS RIDGE, IN THIS SMALL BRICK HOUSE, JENNIE WADE HELPS WITH HER SISTER'S NEWBORN BABY.

JENNIE MISSES HER SWEETHEART, UNION SOLDIER JACK SKELLY... "I DO WISH I COULD SEE YOU ONCE MORE FOR I HAVE SPENT MANY A SAD DAY SINCE I SEEN YOU."

JENNIE DOES NOT KNOW JACK SKELLY HAS JUST BEEN WOUNDED BY REBELS.

NOR DOES JENNY KNOW THAT JACK HAS GIVEN A MESSAGE FOR HER TO THEIR CHILDHOOD FRIEND, REBEL SOLDIER WESLEY CULP.

YEARS EARLIER, WESLEY CULP HAD LEFT HIS FAMILY IN GETTYSBURG FOR WORK IN VIRGINIA.

NOW HE FIGHTS FOR THE CONFEDERACY.

ON THE LAST DAY OF JUNE, UNION GENERAL JOHN BUFORD'S CAVALRY RIDES INTO GETTYSBURG.

LOCALS CHEER THE UNION HORSE SOLDIERS COMING TO PROTECT THEIR TOWN FROM REBEL INVADERS.

BUFORD KNOWS CONFEDERATES ARE NEAR, HE KNOWS THE FIGHT IS CLOSE.

THAT NIGHT, ON THESE RIDGES, BUFORD'S MEN SLEEP ON THEIR CARBINE RIFLES.

THEIR COUNTRY IS ON THE VERGE OF DEATH BY SUICIDE.

[ BIRDS CHIRPING ] [ HORSE NAYS IN THE DISTANCE ] [ HORSE HOOVES CLOPPING ] CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS MARCH TOWARDS GETTYSBURG.

[ HORSES NEIGHING, HOOVES CLOPPING ] ON THE RIDGES AROUND GETTYSBURG, UNION CALVARY WATCH AND WAIT.

A COLUMN OF REBEL INFANTRY CROSSES MARSH CREEK.

AT 7: 30 AM, A UNION SOLDIER RESTS A CARBINE RIFLE ACROSS A FENCE RAIL.

[ GUNSHOT ] FIRES.

THE FIRST SHOT OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLE EVER FOUGHT ON AMERICAN SOIL.

GETTYSBURG BEGINS.

[ GUNFIRE, SOLDIERS SCREAMING ] THE REBEL 3RD CORPS, SURPRISED TO FIND THEIR ENEMY, FORMS INTO BATTLE LINES.

BUFORD'S UNION CAVALRY, QUICKLY OUTNUMBERED, FIGHTS TO PROTECT GETTYSBURG'S CRUCIAL ROADS.

THEY DESPERATELY NEED REINFORCEMENTS.

BUFORD CLIMBS TO VIEW THE BATTLE FROM THIS SEMINARY CUPOLA.

UNION GENERAL JOHN REYNOLDS ARRIVES.

REYNOLDS YELLS UP TO BUFORD, "WHAT'S THE MATTER, JOHN?"

BUFORD REPLIES, "THERE'S THE DEVIL TO PAY."

JOHN REYNOLDS IS WIDELY CONSIDERED THE BEST UNION GENERAL.

HIS TROOPS CONSIDER REYNOLDS, A BACHELOR, TO BE A CAREER SOLDIER, A MAN WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE ARMY.

HIS SOLDIERS DO NOT KNOW THAT REYNOLDS IS SECRETLY ENGAGED.

HIS FIANCEE, KATE HEWITT, IS CATHOLIC.

REYNOLDS IS PROTESTANT.

CROSSING LINES OF FAITH FOR LOVE IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THEY PLAN TO MARRY AFTER THE WAR IS OVER.

HE RIDES INTO BATTLE, INSTEAD OF HIS WEST POINT RING, HE WEARS A GOLD BAND INSCRIBED WITH THE WORDS "DEAR KATE."

REYNOLDS RACES TO GET HIS MEN INTO POSITION... "FORWARD MEN, FORWARD FOR GOD'S SAKE AND DRIVE THOSE FELLOWS OUT OF THOSE WOODS.

FORWARD INTO LINE!

FORWARD DOUBLE QUICK!"

[ GUNSHOT ] A BULLET STRIKES HIM IN THE HEAD.

DEAD INSTANTLY BEFORE HE HITS GROUND.

THE BATTLE HAS BARELY BEGUN.

THE UNION ARMY HAS LOST ITS GREAT GENERAL.

KATE HEWITT HAS LOST HER GREAT LOVE.

[ GUNFIRE ] BOTH UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES HURRY TO GETTYSBURG.

UNION COMMANDING GENERAL MEADE SAYS... "I AM GOING RIGHT AT THEM AND WILL SETTLE THIS THING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER."

LEE ARRIVES AT GETTYSBURG.

LEE DID NOT PLAN TO FIGHT HERE.

HE IS UNHAPPY HIS ARMY IS ENGAGED, SURPRISED BY A MAJOR FORCE IN HOSTILE TERRITORY.

BUT GENERAL LEE DOES NOT AVOID A FIGHT... "IF IT IS THE WHOLE FEDERAL FORCE, WE MUST FIGHT A BATTLE HERE."

TROOPS OF BOTH ARMIES POUR ONTO THE BATTLEFIELD.

A PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT HEADS INTO BATTLE.

BARKING ALONGSIDE THEM IS THEIR BELOVED MASCOT, SALLIE, A THREE-YEAR-OLD BRINDLE BULL TERRIER.

SALLIE HAS SERVED WITH THE REGIMENT SINCE SHE WAS PUPPY WHEN THE WAR BEGAN, MARCHING INTO NUMEROUS BATTLES.

NOW SHE BARKS FURIOUSLY AT REBELS.

THE VORTEX OF COMBAT GROWS.

THE REBEL 2ND CORPS SWEEPS DOWN ONTO THE FIELD FROM THE NORTH, SMASHES INTO THE UNION LINE, FORCING THE YANKEES TO RETREAT.

CHAOS.

UNION SOLDIERS FLEE THROUGH THE TOWN.

HOMES AND STREETS TURN INTO A VICIOUS, BLOODY BATTLEFIELD.

CIVILIANS HIDE IN THEIR CELLARS.

THE BATTLE RAGES ABOVE THEM.

THE REBELS, YELLING WILDLY, PRESS THEIR ADVANTAGE.

THEY WANT TO FULLY WHIP THE YANKEES.

JENNIE WADE IS AT HER FAMILY'S HOME ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.

UNION SOLDIERS RETREAT PAST THE HOUSE.

JENNIE STANDS IN FRONT AND GIVES OUT WATER.

CONFEDERATES APPROACH.

THE LITTLE BRICK HOUSE IS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE WITH JENNIE INSIDE.

THE FIGHTING ENDS ON JULY 1.

AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY FOR LEE'S ARMY.

AGAIN, THEY'VE WHIPPED THE YANKEES; CRUSHED THEIR LINES, CAPTURED 4,000 MEN AND SENT THE REST RUNNING, AND KILLED THEIR GREAT GENERAL.

THE REBELS RAISE THEIR FLAG IN GETTYSBURG'S TOWN SQUARE.

THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OF THE VICTORY LEE WANTS ON NORTHERN SOIL.

BUT IT IS NOT A TOTAL VICTORY FOR ROBERT E. LEE - NOT QUITE - NOT YET.

THE UNION RETREATS UP THESE SLOPES OF CEMETERY HILL.

AN OFFICER DESCRIBES THE SITUATION... "DOWN THE ROAD, TO THE REAR, POURED A BROAD, TUMULTUOUS STREAM OF PANIC-STRICKEN MEN, MINGLED WITH CAISSONS, HORSES, AMMUNITION WAGONS, AND AMBULANCES LOADED WITH WOUNDED.

UPON THIS FIELD OF WRECK AND DISORDER NOW APPEARED HANCOCK."

GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK, COMMANDER OF THE UNION 2ND CORPS.

KNOWN AS HANCOCK THE SUPERB, THE THUNDERBOLT OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

STANDING 6'1", A LONG GOATEE ON HIS CHIN, AND NEARLY INCAPABLE OF SPEAKING WITHOUT SWEARING.

THOUGH THE ARMY'S NEWEST CORPS COMMANDER, HANCOCK IMMEDIATELY REINVIGORATES THE DEFEATED FEDERALS... "I THINK THIS IS THE STRONGEST POSITION UPON WHICH TO FIGHT A BATTLE THAT I EVER SAW."

CONFEDERATE 1ST CORPS COMMANDER JAMES LONGSTREET ARRIVES HERE ON SEMINARY RIDGE.

HIS MEN CALL HIM "OLD PETE."

HE'S DESCRIBED AS... "SIX FEET TALL, BROAD AS A DOOR, HAIRY AS A GOAT."

LEE SIMPLY CALLS LONGSTREET "MY OLD WAR HORSE."

LEE IS CONTEMPLATING HIS NEXT MOVE.

LONGSTREET EXAMINES THIS BATTLEFIELD.

HE BELIEVES THE UNION POSITION IS STRONG.

HE SUGGESTS THE CONFEDERATES MOVE AROUND THE UNION ARMY AND FORCE MEADE TO ATTACK.

LEE, EVER AGGRESSIVE, DOES NOT AGREE... "IF THE ENEMY IS THERE TOMORROW, WE MUST ATTACK HIM," LEE SAYS.

SAYS LONGSTREET..."IF THE ENEMY IS THERE IN THE MORNING, IT WILL BE BECAUSE HE IS ANXIOUS THAT WE SHOULD ATTACK HIM.

A GOOD REASON IN MY JUDGMENT FOR NOT DOIN' SO."

ULTIMATELY, LEE DECIDES... "WE WILL ATTACK THE ENEMY IN THE MORNING AS EARLY AS PRACTICABLE."

REBEL WESLEY CULP MARCHES INTO GETTYSBURG.

NO ONE WELCOMES HIM.

HE COMES WITH A MESSAGE FOR HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND JENNIE WADE FROM HER SWEETHEART JACK SKELLY.

HIS BRIGADE IS STATIONED NEAR THE CULP FAMILY FARM.

HE HAS COME BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN - AS THE ENEMY.

BATTERED UNION TROOPS LIE DOWN AMONGST THE GRAVES ON CEMETERY HILL.

AMONG THE MISSING IS SALLIE THE DOG.

MEMBERS OF HER REGIMENT PRESUME SHE IS DEAD.

BUT SALLIE IS NOT DEAD, SHE IS NOW BEHIND ENEMY LINES, GUARDING THE DEAD AND WOUNDED OF HER REGIMENT.

UNION SOLDIER ISAAC TAYLOR WRITES... "WE HEAR THERE HAS BEEN FIGHTING AT GETTYSBURG TODAY.

AT 8: 45 PM WE HALT WITHIN A FEW MILES OF GETTYSBURG AND BIVOUAC FOR THE NIGHT."

AFTER MIDNIGHT, GENERAL MEADE ARRIVES, CONFERS WITH HIS GENERALS AND GAZES ACROSS THESE FIELDS LIT BY THE FULL MOON... "WELL, WE MAY AS WELL FIGHT IT OUT HERE JUST AS WELL AS ANYWHERE ELSE."

IT IS A GOOD DEFENSIBLE POSITION.

IT IS HIS FOURTH DAY IN COMMAND.

"THURSDAY JULY 2: AROUSED AT 3:00 AM, MOVED TOWARDS THE BATTLEFIELD WHERE WE ARRIVE AT 5:40 AM."

ISAAC TAYLOR, OF THE 1ST MINNESOTA, WRITES IN HIS DIARY: "ORDER FROM GENERAL READ TO US IN WHICH HE SAYS THIS IS TO BE THE GREAT BATTLE OF THE WAR AND THAT ANY SOLDIER LEAVING THE RANKS WITHOUT LEAVE WILL BE INSTANTLY PUT TO DEATH."

THE UNION ARMY HAS FALLEN BACK TO HOLD THE HIGH GROUND SOUTH OF GETTYSBURG.

MEADE ORDERS HIS LINE TO RUN FROM CULP'S HILL, AROUND CEMETERY HILL, DOWN CEMETERY RIDGE TO LITTLE ROUND TOP.

LEE'S CONFEDERATE LINE OF 75,000 SOLDIERS STRETCHES NEARLY TWICE AS LONG.

IT CURVES THROUGH THE TOWN AND DOWN SEMINARY RIDGE.

LEE PLANS TO ATTACK THE LEFT FLANK, AND THEN THE RIGHT FLANK OF THE UNION ARMY.

LONGSTREET IS UNHAPPY WITH LEE'S PLAN FOR ASSAULTS ON THE UNION LEFT.

HE SPENDS MUCH OF THE DAY GETTING HIS TROOPS INTO POSITION.

UNHAPPY, TOO, IS UNION 3RD CORPS COMMANDER DAN SICKLES.

THOUGH A COURAGEOUS SOLDIER, DAN SICKLES HAS A SORDID PAST.

A CORRUPT CONGRESSMAN, HE MURDERED HIS WIFE'S LOVER.

HIS POLITICAL CONNECTIONS, NOT HIS MILITARY ABILITY, GAIN HIM COMMAND OF THE 3RD CORPS.

THE UNION LEFT FLANK IS SUPPOSED TO EXTEND SOUTH ON TOP OF THIS ROCKY HILL, LITTLE ROUND TOP.

SICKLES ABANDONS HIS ASSIGNED POSITION FOR ONE HE THINKS IS STRONGER, MOVING OUT TO THE PEACH ORCHARD AND DEVILS DEN, LEAVING THE HIGH GROUND OF LITTLE ROUND TOP UNDEFENDED.

AT 4: 00 PM, READY AT LAST, LONGSTREET SENDS IN JOHN BELL HOOD'S DIVISION.

IN FRONT OF HIS TEXAS BRIGADE, GENERAL HOOD GIVES THE COMMAND... "MY BRAVE TEXANS, FORWARD AND TAKE THOSE HEIGHTS!"

"WE MOVED AS FAST AS WE COULD.

OFF WENT BLANKETS, KNAPSACKS.

YELLING AND SCREAMING," SAYS TEXAN JOHN WEST.

"ACROSS AN OPEN FIELD, OVER A MARSHY BRANCH, OVER A STONE FENCE AND UP A VERY RUGGED AND ROCKY HILL.

YANKEE SHARPSHOOTERS ON THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS.

ON WE WENT YELLING, WHOOPING.

WE RUSH ON THE BATTERIES."

"FOR GOD SAKE MEN," PLEADS THE UNION ARTILLERY COMMANDER IN VAIN, "DON'T LET THEM TAKE MY GUNS AWAY FROM ME!"

[ CANNON & GUNFIRE ] UP AND INTO THESE JUMBLED ROCKS OF DEVIL'S DEN CHARGE THE TEXANS.

FIGHTING AS CHAOTIC AS THESE GIANT BOULDERS.

VICIOUS FIGHTING.

REBELS OVERWHELM THE YANKEES AND CAPTURE THE POSITION.

THE REBEL FLAG RISES ATOP DEVIL'S DEN.

AN HOUR INTO THE FIGHTING, THE REBELS BELIEVE THEY HAVE TAKEN THE UNION FLANK.

BUT RISING BEFORE THEM IS LITTLE ROUND TOP.

JUST BEFORE THE REBELS BEGIN THEIR ATTACK, UNION GENERAL GOUVERNOR WARREN RIDES UP HERE TO LITTLE ROUND TOP.

HE IS HORRIFIED.

IT IS UNDEFENDED.

IF THE REBELS TAKE THIS ROCKY HILL THEY WILL CONTROL THE BATTLEFIELD.

WARREN SEES THOUSANDS OF REBELS MINUTES AWAY.

WARREN DIRECTS COLONEL STRONG VINCENT'S UNION BRIGADE TO DEFEND THE CREST OF LITTLE ROUND TOP.

MOMENTS LATER, REBELS CHARGE UP THIS SLOPE.

TEXAN JOHN WEST..."A MASS OF ROCKS AND BOULDERS.

MINNIE BULLETS AND GRAPE SHOT WERE AS THICK AS HAIL."

THE TEXANS PUSH TO WITHIN FEET OF THIS SUMMIT.

[ GUNFIRE ] UNION COLONEL VINCENT JUMPS ON A ROCK.

A BULLET STRIKES HIM DOWN.

THE BLUE LINE IS BENDING, BREAKING.

WARREN, HIS NECK GRAZED BY A BULLET, DESPERATELY ORDERS IN MORE UNION SOLDIERS.

NOW, IRISH IMMIGRANT PADDY O'RORKE LEADS HIS MEN AGAINST THE TEXANS.

ON THESE ROCKS O'RORKE IS KILLED INSTANTLY.

THE UNION LINE IS BARELY HOLDING.

AROUND THE CREST OF LITTLE ROUND TOP, UNION COLONEL JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN AND HIS 20TH MAINE HOLD THE EXTREME LEFT FLANK OF THE ENTIRE UNION ARMY.

HIS ORDERS ARE TO HOLD THIS GROUND AT ALL COSTS.

RACING TOWARDS HIM IS THE 15TH ALABAMA LED BY REBEL COLONEL WILLIAM OATES.

MINUTES AFTER THE MAINE MEN TAKE THEIR POSITION, OATES AND HIS MEN ATTACK UP THESE SLOPES.

[ GUNFIRE ] FIVE TIMES THE ALABAMIANS CHARGE, FIVE TIMES THEY ARE DRIVEN BACK.

CHAMBERLAIN'S UNION MEN RUN LOW ON AMMUNITION.

DESPERATE, CHAMBERLAIN HAS TWO CHOICES: RETREAT OR CHARGE.

HE CANNOT RETREAT.

CHAMBERLAIN ORDERS..."BAYONET!"

THE MAINE MEN CHARGE DOWN AT THE REBELS.

"WE RAN LIKE A HERD OF WILD CATTLE," SAID REBEL OATES.

JUST BARELY, THE LEFT FLANK OF UNION ARMY HAS BEEN SAVED.

LONGSTREET'S CONFEDERATES CONTINUE ATTACKING THE UNION LINES.

READY TO FIGHT IS GENERAL WILLIAM BARKSDALE OF MISSISSIPPI.

A FIRE-EATING POLITICIAN, A SLAVE OWNER WHO VEHEMENTLY SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF THE CONFEDERACY.

BARKSDALE'S MISSISSIPPIANS AIM FOR THE MIDDLE OF THE UNION LINE.

SICKLES' MEN AT THE PEACH ORCHARD.

BARKSDALE BELLOWS... "ONWARD, BRAVE MISSISSIPPIANS, FOR GLORY!"

HIS BRIGADE OF 1,400 EXPLODES OUT OF THE WOODS, THEIR GENERAL LEADING ACROSS THESE FIELDS ON HIS WHITE HORSE, HIS SILVER HAIR SHINING IN THE AFTERNOON SUN.

THE TWO LINES CRASH TOGETHER AT THIS PEACH ORCHARD.

[ SOLDIERS YELLING, GUNFIRE ] THE UNION LINES EXPLODE LIKE OVER-RIPE FRUIT.

[ GUNFIRE ] UNION LINES ARE COLLAPSING.

GENERAL SICKLES TRIES TO GAIN COVER BEHIND THIS BARN.

A CANNON SHOT HITS HIM IN THE LEG.

HE IS CARRIED FROM THE FIELD, HIS LEG AMPUTATED.

ONE OF HANCOCK'S STAFF SAYS... "THE LOSS OF HIS LEG IS A GREAT GAIN TO US, WHATEVER IT MAY BE TO HIM."

WITH SICKLES GONE, THE UNION 3RD CORPS CRUMBLES UNDER THE REBEL ONSLAUGHT.

[ GUNFIRE ] BARKSDALE'S MEN RACE ON, OVERRUN THE UNION POSITION.

SICKLES' COLLAPSE CREATES A MASSIVE GAP IN THE UNION LINE.

IF THE REBELS CAN REACH THIS GAP, THEY COULD BREAK THE UNION LINE AND WIN THE BATTLE.

BARKSDALE'S CHARGE, NOW A MILE LONG, SURGES FORWARD... "ADVANCE, ADVANCE!

BRAVE MISSISSIPPIANS, ONE MORE CHARGE AND THE DAY IS OURS!"

BARKSDALE IS HIT: RIGHT LEG, LEFT LEG, AND A CANNON SHOT INTO HIS CHEST.

FALLS TO THE GROUND.

A REBEL OFFERS HIM A DRINK.

WATER LEAKS OUT FROM THE WOUND IN THE GENERAL'S CHEST.

"I AM KILLED!"

HE DECLARES... "TELL MY WIFE AND CHILDREN I DIED FIGHTING AT MY POST."

[ GUNFIRE, SOLDIERS CHARGING ] PAST THE FALLEN GENERAL, REBEL TROOPS SURGE FORWARD TOWARD THE GAP IN THE UNION LINE.

OBSERVING FROM CEMETERY RIDGE, HANCOCK WATCHES AN ENTIRE CONFEDERATE BRIGADE, 1,400 MEN, POUR IN TOWARD THE MASSIVE GAP IN THE UNION LINE.

HE LOOKS FRANTICALLY FOR A WAY TO PLUG THIS GAP, TO BUY TIME TO BRING UP REINFORCEMENTS.

HE FINDS ONLY A SINGLE REGIMENT, THE 1ST MINNESOTA.

262 MEN.

AMONG THEM, THE BROTHERS ISAAC AND HENRY TAYLOR.

HANCOCK RIDES UP TO THE 1ST MINNESOTA... "MY GOD!

ARE THESE ALL THE TROOPS WE HAVE HERE?"

HE POINTS TO THE FLAGS OF THEHARGING REBELS NOW ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS AWAY AND ORDERS THEIR COLONEL... "DO YOU SEE THOSE COLORS?

WELL, CAPTURE THEM."

OUTNUMBERED 4 TO 1, CERTAIN DEATH, THE COLONEL ORDERS... "FIX BAYONETS!

FORWARD!"

262 MINNESOTA MEN CHARGE INTO OVER 1,000 CONFEDERATES.

THEY POUR FIRE INTO THE REBELS.

STUNNED BY THE FEROCITY OF THE ATTACK, THE REBELS HESITATE, THEIR CHARGE STALLS.

MAYBE FIVE MINUTES.

TEN AT THE MOST.

BUT ON THIS DAY, AT THIS MOMENT, AT THIS PLACE, IT IS ENOUGH.

UNION REINFORCEMENTS FILL THE GAP.

THE UNION CENTER HOLDS.

OF THE 262 MINNESOTANS WHO MAKE THE CHARGE, ONLY 47 RETURN UNSCATHED.

ISAAC TAYLOR IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

HENRY WRITES... "I FIND MY DEAR BROTHER DEAD!

A SHELL STRUCK HIM ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD AND PASSED OUT THROUGH HIS BACK, CUTTING HIS BELT IN TWO.

THE POOR FELLOW DID NOT KNOW WHAT HIT HIM."

HE BURIES HIS BROTHER, FINDS A BOARD TO MARK THE GRAVE, AND INSCRIBES ON IT... "NO USELESS COFFIN ENCLOSED HIS BREAST, NOR IN SHEET, NOR IN SHROUD, WE BOUND HIM, BUT HE LAY LIKE A WARRIOR TAKING HIS REST WITH HIS SHELTER TENT AROUND HIM."

HENRY THEN MAKES A LAST ENTRY IN HIS BROTHER ISAAC'S DIARY... "THE OWNER OF THIS DIARY WAS KILLED BY A SHELL ABOUT SUNSET JULY 2, 1863.

HIS FACE WAS TOWARD THE ENEMY."

THE UNION RIGHT FLANK SITS ON CULP'S HILL, PROTECTING THE VIT SUPPLY ROAD AT ITS BASE.

ON THIS HILL IS GENERAL GEORGE 'POP' GREENE.

62-YEARS-OLD, FIGHTING IN THE UNION ARMY.EL GOING AGAINST HIS SUPERIOR COMMANDER'S WISHES, POP GREENE ORDERED HIS MEN TO BUILD ENTRENCHMENTS.

GENERAL MEADE, TO STRENGTHEN THE UNION LEFT FLANK, HAS PULLED MOST OF HIS TROOPS FROM CULP'S HILL, WEAKENING THE UNION RIGHT FLANK.

SENSING THE UNION WEAKNESS, THE CONFEDERATE 2ND CORPS ATTACKS.

REBELS, NORTH CAROLINIANS, AND LOUISIANA TIGERS STORM UP THESE SLOPES OF CEMETERY HILL.

[ SOLDIERS YELLING ] AT THESE CANNONS, BRUTAL HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, REBELS CROSS ROCK CREEK AND ATTACK UP THE SLOPES OF CULP'S HILL.

POP GREENE HAS ONLY HIS 1,400 MEN TO HOLD OFF 5,000 REBELS.

IN DARKNESS, FROM BEHIND THE ENTRENCHMENTS, YANKEES FIRE DOWN ON THE REBELS.

THEY DRIVE THE CONFEDERATES BACK, BUT ARE ATTACKED AGAIN.

GREENE'S MEN RUN LOW ON AMMUNITION, BUT THEY HOLD.

THE UNION MAINTAINS CONTROL OVER BOTH CEMETERY AND CULP'S HILLS.

NIGHT FALLS ON THE BLOODIEST DAY OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

LEE HAS LOST 9,000 MEN.

MEADE, 11,000.

BUT, JUST BARELY, THE UNION LINE REMAINS INTACT.

SAYS MEADE..."IT IS ALRIGHT NOW.

IT IS ALRIGHT NOW."

THE BATTLEFIELD IS DARK.

FIRE FLIES GLOW.

LANTERNS OF THE STRETCHER BEARERS BOB BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

GROANS OF THOUSANDS OF DYING MEN RISE FROM ACROSS THESE FIELDS.

A YOUNG WOMAN'S BREAD WAITS TO BE BAKED, WHILE HER CHILDHOOD FRIEND HOLDS A MESSAGE FOR HER IN ENEMY LINES.

A UNION GENERAL'S BODY LIES LIFELESS STILL WEARING THE RING OF HIS SECRET FIANCEE.

A LITTLE DOG HOVERS OVER HER FALLEN COMRADES.

A BROTHER FROM MINNESOTA LIES DEAD IN A SWAMPY SWALE A FEW YARDS FROM A MISSISSIPPIAN GENERAL.

IN THIS WHEATFIELD IS A CONFEDERATE OFFICER FROM GEORGIA... "IT WAS A MOONLIGHT NIGHT.

ONE OF OUR SOLDIERS OUT BETWEEN THE LINES BEGAN TO SING.

CONSIDERING THE OCCASION AND THE AUDIENCE, I'VE NEVEREARD MUSIC LIKE THAT.

IN THE STILL AIR AND MOONLIGHT OF THAT NIGHT, THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF DESPERATELY WOUNDED MEN LYING ON THE GROUND WITHIN EASY HEARING OF THE SINGER, WHOSE FINE VOICE RANG OUT LIKE A FLUTE AND ECHOED UP AND DOWN THE VALLEY.

BOTH ARMIES COULD HEAR THE WORDS."

IN THE NIGHT, THE CONFEDERATE'S LAST FRESH TROOPS, PICKETT'S DIVISION, ARRIVE ON THE FIELD.

THEY TAKE UP POSITIONS ON SEMINARY RIDGE.

AMONG THEM IS GENERAL LEWIS ARMISTEAD.

A VIRGINIAN, A CAREER MILITARY MAN FROM A MILITARY FAMILY.

DECADES EARLIER, ARMISTEAD BECAME BEST FRIENDS WITH A YOUNG WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.

WHEN THE CIVIL WAR STARTED, ARMISTEAD FOUGHT FOR VIRGINIA, HANCOCK FOR THE UNION.

BEFORE THEY PARTED, ARMISTEAD TOLD HANCOCK THAT IF HE EVER HARMS HIM "MAY GOD STRIKE ME DEAD."

NOW, BARELY ONE MILE AWAY, IN THE NIGHT, HANCOCK IS IN MEADE'S HEADQUARTERS.

THEY LEARN THAT LEE HAS ONLY ONE FRESH DIVISION LEFT.

HANCOCK TURNS TO MEADE, RAISES HIS FIST AND SHOUTS... "GENERAL, WE HAVE GOT THEM NICKED!"

MEADE AND HIS GENERALS AGREE UNANIMOUSLY: THEY WILL STAY AT GETTYSBURG AND AWAIT LEE'S ATTACK.

MEADE EXPECTS LEE TO HIT THE UNION CENTER.

HE IS SURE GENERAL LEE WILL NOT BACK DOWN FROM THIS FIGHT.

MEADE TELEGRAPHS PRESIDENT LINCOLN... "THE ENEMY ATTACKED ME ABOUT 4:00 PM THIS DAY, AND AFTER ONE OF THE SEVEREST CONTESTS OF THE WAR, WAS REPULSED AT ALL POINTS.

I SHALL REMAIN IN MY PRESENT POSITION TOMORROW."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON JULY 3, ONE DAY BEFORE THE NATION CELEBRATES ITS 87TH BIRTHDAY.

BEFORE DAWN, GENERAL LEE AND GENERAL LONGSTREET RIDE OUT TO EXAMINE THE BATTLEFIELD.

LEE'S PL REMAINS UNCHANGED.

HE WILL ATTACK THE UNION POSITION.

LEE WANTS HIS GREAT VICTORY.

LONGSTREET PLEADS... "GENERAL, I HAVE BEEN A SOLDIER ALL MY LIFE.

I HAVE BEEN WITH SOLDIERS ENGAGED IN FIGHTS BY COUPLES, BY SQUADS, COMPANIES, REGIMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND ARMIES, AND SHOULD KNOW AS WELL AS ANYONE WHAT SOLDIERS CAN DO.

IT IS MY OPINION THAT NO 15,000 MEN EVER ARRAYED FOR BATTLE CAN TAKE THAT POSITION."

LEE RESPONDS... "THE ENEMY IS THERE AND I WILL STRIKE HIM THERE."

NEAR CULP'S HILL, WESLEY CULP JOINS A SKIRMISH LINE.

[ GUNFIRE & YELLING ] NEARS ROCK CREEK.

[ GUNFIRE ] HE'S HIT, NOT FAR FROM HIS OLD SWIMMING HOLE.

HE FALLS DEAD NEAR THE BASE OF THE HILL BEARING HIS FAMILY NAME.

HE WILL NEVER DELIVER JACK SKELLY'S MESSAGE FOR JENNIE WADE.

A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY, IN THIS LITTLE BRICK HOUSE, JENNIE IS ALREADY AWAKE.

OUTSIDE, FIRING BEGINS AGAIN.

SHE KNEADS DOUGH.

RECITES THE BIBLE..."THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION, WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

THOUGH WAR SHOULD RISE AGAINST ME, IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT."

JENNIE SAYS..."IF THERE IS ANYONE IN THIS HOUSE THAT IS TO BE KILLED TODAY, I HOPE IT IS ME."

[ GUNSHOT ] A BULLET PIERCES THE DOOR, ENTERS INTO JENNIE'S BACK, THROUGH HER HEART.

HER BLOOD STAINS THE FLOORBOARDS.

DOUGH AND FLOUR STILL BETWEEN HER FINGERS.

IN HER APRON POCKET IS HER HOUSE KEY, HER PURSE, AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF HER SWEETHEART JACK SKELLY.

NINE DAYS LATER, AT A REBEL HOSPITAL, WOUNDED JACK SKELLY DIES.

ALL THREE FRIENDS DEAD.

LEE BELIEVES MEADE HAS REINFORCED HIS FLANKS AND WEAKENED HIS CENTER.

A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK WILL SPLIT THE FEDERALS IN TWO.

ARTILLERY WILL SOFTEN THE UNION LINE.

INFANTRY WILL BREAK THROUGH THE UNION CENTER AT THIS CLUMP OF TREES.

TEMPERATURES NEAR 90 DEGREES, HUMID, HOTTEST OF THE ENTIRE BATTLE.

AT 1: 07 PM, TWO CONFEDERATE CANNONS FIRE.

[ CANNONS FIRE ] IMMEDIATELY, 140 CANNON OPEN FIRE ON THE YANKEE LINE.

[ CANNONS FIRE ] 80 UNION CANNON RESPOND.

IT IS THE GREATEST ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT EVER ON THIS CONTINENT.

THE BOOMING IS HEARD 40 MILES AWAY.

TO A LOCAL WOMAN..."IT WAS AS IF HEAVEN AND EARTH COLLIDE."

[ CANNONS FIRE ] IN THESE WOODS, CONFEDERATES FORM FORHE ASSAULT.

AMONG THEM IS GENERAL LEWIS ARMISTEAD.

HE LIES UNDER YANKEE CANNON FIRE.

"LIE STILL BOYS.

THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE HERE," HE TELL HIS MEN.

ARMISTEAD KNS THAT WHEN THE CANNONS STOP HE WILL LEAD HIS MEN ACROSS THESE FIELDS TO ATTACK THE UNION LINE.

HE KNOWS DEFENDING THIS RIDGE IS HIS BEST FRIEND WINFIELD HANCOCK.

ON THIS RIDGE, UNION SOLDIERS TAKE COVER FROM EXPLODING SHELLS THE BEST THEY CAN.

IN THE MIDST OF THIS TERROR, A FIGURE RIDES HIS HORSE ALONG THE UNION LINE, HANCOCK THE SUPERB.

MOUNTED, HANCOCK IS A CLEAR TARGET.

AN AID PLEADS FOR HANCOCK TO DISMOUNT.

HANCOCK RESPONDS... "THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A CORPS COMMANDER'S LIFE DOES NOT COUNT."

LONGSTREET RIDES HIS HORSE, HERO, SLOWLY ALONG THE CONFEDERATE LINES AS SHELLS SLAM INTO THE RIDGE.

HE KNOWS WHAT IS COMING - PERHAPS BETTER THEN ANYONE ELSE.

HE IS NOT HAPPY.

BUT HIS DUTY IS TO INSPIRE HIS MEN.

[ GUNFIRE ] AFTER TWO HOURS, CONFEDERATE AMMUNITION RUNS LOW.

FIRING HALTS.

FIELDS FILLED WITH SMOKE.

NOW IT IS DEADLY SILENT.

BOTH SIDES KNOW WHAT WILL COME NEXT.

GEORGE PICKETT'S PERFUMED, CURLED HAIR IS READY FOR GLORY.

PICKETT FINDS LONGSTREET SITTING ON A SNAKE RAIL FENCE.

PICKETT ASKS LONGSTREET... "GENERAL, SHALL I ADVANCE?"

LONGSTREET TURNS HIS FACE AWAY AND DOES NOT ANSWER.

PICKETT REPEATS THE QUESTION.

FINALLY, LONGSTREET'S HEAD FALLS IN A SILENT NOD.

PICKETT SALUTES AND SAYS, "I SHALL LEAD MY DIVISION FORWARD, SIR!"

PICKETT GIVES THE ORDER.

GENERAL ARMISTEAD STEPS TO THE FRONT OF HIS BRIGADE, RAISES HIS SWORD... "VIRGINIANS!

VIRGINIANS!

FOR YOUR LANDS!

FOR YOUR HOMES!

FOR YOUR SWEETHEARTS!

FOR YOUR WIVES!

FOR VIRGINIA!

FORWARD MARCH!"

GENERAL LEE WATCHES HIS CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS MARCH PAST.

SMOKE FILLS THESE FIELDS.

A BREEZE BLOWS.

THE SMOKE DISSIPATES, REVEALING PERHAPS THE GREATEST SIGHT IN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY... 13,000 CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS EMERGE IN BATTLE FORMATION.

"HERE THEY COME!"

SHOUT UNION TROOPS ALONG THESE STONEWALLS.

THE SPLENDOR LASTS A MOMENT.

UNION CANNONS OPEN FIRE, TEARING THROUGH SCORES OF MEN.

BUT THE REBELS REFORM THEIR LINES AND KEEP COMING ACROSS THESE FIELDS.

THEY KEEP COMING.

13,000 CONFEDERATES MOVE OUT FROM THE WOODS, ALMOST HALF CROSS THIS ROAD IN BATTLE FORMATION.

NOW THOUSANDS OF UNION TROOPS OPEN FIRE.

REBEL RANKS, DISINTEGRATING, PUSH ONWARD TOWARDS THE UNION LINES 300 YARDS AWAY.

A MISSISSIPPIAN DESCRIBES THE CHARGE... "PRESSIN' ONWARD OUR LINE WAS MELTIN' AWAY...

REDUCED TO A MERE SKELETON.

STILL, ON IT PUSHED WITH A DETERMINATION.

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE US WAS A SMALL FRAMED HOUSE."

THE HOME OF ABRAHAM BRYAN, A FREE BLACK WHO FLED TO AVOID BEING KIDNAPPED BY REBELS AND SENT INTO SLAVERY.

NOW, HERE ON HIS PROPERTY, UNION SOLDIERS BATTLE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS FIGHTING FOR THE BIRTH OF A NATION SUPPORTING THE ENSLAVEMENT OF HIS RACE.

HANCOCK IS HIT.

HE SHOUTS... "DON'T LET ME BLEED TO DEATH.

GET SOMETHING AROUND IQUICK!"

ON THE GROUND, HE DEMANDS REPORTS ON THE FIGHT.

BUT NOW THE UNION MUST FIGHT WITHOUT HANCOCK THE SUPERB.

FROM THIS ROAD TO THE COPS OF TREES IS 300 YARDS.

THE REBELS PUSH ON.

THE UNION FIRE FURIOUSLY.

[ GUNFIRE ] GENERAL LEWIS ARMISTEAD PLACES HIS HAT ON THE TIP OF HIS SWORD.

LIFTS IT OVERHEAD.

SHOUTS TO HIS MEN... "COME FORWARD, VIRGINIANS!

COME ON, BOYS, WE MUST GIVE THEM THE COLD STEEL!

WHO WILL FOLLOW ME?"

THE REBELS SURGE OVER THIS STONE WALL.

THE UNION LINE COLLAPSES BACK.

BOTH SIDES FIRING AT POINT-BLANK RANGE.

THE REBELS PIERCE THE UNION LINE.

ARMISTEAD REACHES FOR THE CANNON IN FRONT OF HIM.

WILL THE LINE HOLD?

WILL THE REBELS TAKE THIS RIDGE?

THIS BATTLE, THIS WAR, DESTROY THIS NATION?

THE END OF THESE UNITED STATES?

NO.

THE UNION TROOPS SURGE BACK, PUSHING AGAINST THE REBELS.

[ GUNFIRE ] ARMISTEAD IS HIT.

HE FALLS HERE.

THE FEW REBELS WHO BREAK THE UNION LINE, MAYBE 250, ARE CASUALTIES...KILLED, WOUNDED, OR CAPTURED.

THIS IS AS CLOSE TO BREAKING THE UNION POSITION THAT THE REBELS WILL GET ON JULY 3RD.

THE HIGH WATER MARK OF THE CONFEDERACY.

NEVER AGAIN WILL THE CONFEDERACY COME SO CLOSE TO WINNING THE CIVIL WAR AS THEY DO HERE AT THIS MOMENT, ON THIS DAY, JULY 3, 1863.

GETTYSBURG.

THE FIGHT IS OVER.

ARMISTEAD LIES WOUNDED HERE.

A UNION OFFICER ATTENDS TO HIM.

ARMISTEAD ASKS TO SEE GENERAL HANCOCK.

HE'S TOLD THAT HANCOCK IS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.

ARMISTEAD REPLIES... "I AM SORRY.

HE IS A GRAND MAN."

ARMISTEAD DIES SHORTLY AFTER.

HANCOCK LIES WOUNDED JUST YARDS AWAY.

BUT UNAWARE HE WILL NEVER SEE HIS OLD FRIEND AGAIN.

GENERAL MEADE REACHES THE CREST OF THIS RIDGE.

HE ASKS A UNION OFFICER... "HOW IS IT GOING HERE?"

THE OFFICER RESPONDS, "I BELIEVE THE ENEMY HAS BEEN RULSED."

SURPRISED, MEADE ASKS, "WHAT!

IS THE ASSAULT ENTIRELY REPULSED?"

"IT IS, SIR."

MEADE SAYS SIMPLY, "THANK GOD."

MEADE RIDES ALONG THIS ENTIRE UNION BATTLE LINE TO TREMENDOUS CHEERS.

A BAND PLAYS HAIL TO THE CHIEF.

MEADE QUIETS THE CELEBRATION.

ACROSS THE FIELD, LEE HEARS THE CHEERS.

FOR A MOMENT HE THINKS, HE HOPES, THAT THESE ARE HIS MEN CHEERING... "I THOUGHT IT MIGHT OUR PEOPLE."

IT IS NOT HIS MEN.

REBELS RETREAT BACK ACROSS THIS GREAT FIELD.

NO LONGER IN BATTLE LINES, BUT WALKING, RUNNING, CRAWLING.

THOUSANDS MORE LIE UPON THIS FIELD.

OF THE 13,000 MEN WHO BEGIN THIS CHARGE, BARELY HALF WILL RETURN.

ROBERT E. LEE RIDES OUT ON HIS GRAY HORSE, TRAVELER.

LEE IS A GREAT GENERAL.

THIS MAY BE HIS GREATEST MOMENT AS A MAN.

HE RIDES AMONG HIS DEVASTATED TROOPS - MEN WHO HAD MARCHED ACROSS THIS OPEN, MERCILESS FIELD BECAUSE HE SAID IT COULD BE DONE.

HE TELLS THEM... "THIS HAS BEEN A SAD DAY FOR US.

A SAD DAY.

ALL THIS HAS BEEN MY FAULT.

IT IS I WHO HAVE LOST THIS FIGHT."

THE BATTLE ENDS.

LEE'S DEFEATED ARMY RETREATS.

MEADE'S EXHAUSTED ARMY IS SLOW TO PURSUE.

THE REBELS ESCAPE TO VIRGINIA TO FIGHT AGAIN.

THE WAR WILL CONTINUE.

IN GETTYSBURG, ON THE 4TH OF JULY 1863, NO TOASTS ARE OFFERED, NO FIREWORKS, NO PARADES, NO SERVICES.

BUILDINGS FILL WITH WOUNDED.

PILES OF LIMBS DRIPPING BLOOD, THE DYING, THE DEAD.

THE LAND ITSELF SEEMS TO WAIL.

HORROR.

HELL ON EARTH.

DEAD MEN BARELY COVERED IN SHALLOW GRAVES, CLOSE TO 10,000.

GETTYSBURG IS THE GREATEST MANMADE DISASTER IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

IT IS NOW HISTORIC GROUND.

LAND IS PURCHASED ON CEMETERY HILL TO CREATE A NEW SOLDIERS' NATIONAL CEMETERY.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE ABRAHAM LINCOLN MUST COME AND EXPLAIN WHY THIS WAR MUST GO ON.

LINCOLN IS INVITED FOR THE NOVEMBER 19 CEMETERY DEDICATION, ASKED TO DELIVER "A FEW APPROPRIATE REMARKS."

LINCOLN'S TRAIN FROM WASHINGTON ARRIVES AT GETTYSBURG THE DAY BEFORE THE DEDICATION.

AT THE WILLS HOUSE, IN THE TOWN SQUARE, HE FINISHES HIS SPEECH.

IN NOVEMBER 1863, THE CEMETERY IS BARREN.

A MUDDY FIELD OF FRESHLY DUG GRAVES.

ALMOST NO TREES.

WINTER IS NEARING.

THE CROWD COVERS THIS HILL.

LINCOLN STANDS UP, HE SPEAKS... "FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO OUR FATHERS BROUGHT FORTH ON THIS CONTINENT A NEW NATION, CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY, AND DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL."

NOW WE ARE ENGAGED IN A GREAT CIVIL WAR, TESTING WHETHER THAT NATION, OR ANY NATION, SO CONCEIVED AND SO DEDICATED, CAN LONG ENDURE.

WE ARE MET ON A GREAT BATTLEFIELD OF THAT WAR.

WE HAVE COME TO DEDICATE A PORTION OF THAT FIELD AS A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR THOSE WHO HERE GAVE THEIR LIVES THAT THAT NATION MIGHT LIVE.

IT IS ALTOGETHER FITTING AND PROPER THAT WE SHOULD DO THIS.

BUT, IN A LARGER SENSE, WE CANNOT DEDICATE... WE CANNOT CONSECRATE... WE CANNOT HALLOW THIS GROUND.

THE BRAVE MEN, LIVING AND DEAD, WHO STRUGGLED HERE, HAVE CONSECRATED IT FAR ABOVE OUR POOR POWER TO ADD OR DETRACT.

THE WORLD WILL LITTLE NOTE, NOR LONG REMEMBER WHAT WE SAY HERE, BUT IT CAN NEVER FORGET WHAT THEY DID HERE.

IT IS FOR US THE LIVING, RATHER, TO BE DEDICATED HERE TO THE UNFINISHED WORK WHICH THEY WHO FOUGHT HERE HAVE THUS FAR SO NOBLY ADVANCED.

IT IS RATHER FOR US TO BE HERE DEDICATED TO THE GREAT TASK REMAINING BEFORE US - THAT FROM THESE HONORED DEAD WE TAKE INCREASED DEVOTION TO THAT CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY GAVE THE LAST FULL MEASUREF DEVOTION - THAT WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN - THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM - AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GETTYSBURG, THE GREATEST BATTLE FOUGHT IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING THIS FILM.

VISIT GETTYSBURGSTORY.ORG.

THE GETTYSBURG STORY IS AVAILABLE ON DVD AND BLU-RAY AT GETTYSBURGSTORY.ORG.

ALSO AVAILABLE, A COMPANION CD SET AND GUIDE BOOK: THE BATTLEFIELD AUTO TOUR AND AN EDUCATOR'S GUIDE PRESENTED BY THE CIVIL WAR TRUST.