Gettysburg (2011 film)
Encyclopedia
Gettysburg is a 2011 American Civil War
television
documentary film
directed by Adrian Moat that was first aired on May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day
) on History. This two-hour documentary film, narrated by actor Sam Rockwell
, commenced a week of programming by the History channel honoring and commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. Gettysburg showcases the horror of the pivotal 1863 Battle of Gettysburg
by following the stories of eight men as they put their lives on the line to fight for what they believed in.
Rufus Dawes' patriotic fervor ran in his blood: His great-grandfather had ridden with Paul Revere
on the famed midnight ride to warn American colonists of the approaching British army. An Ohio native, Dawes moved to Wisconsin as a teenager, and in June 1861 he organized a volunteer unit known as the Lemonweir Minute Men
, which was soon mustered into the 6th Wisconsin Infantry. As part of the famed Iron Brigade-composed of regiments from the Midwest-the 6th Wisconsin saw action at Antietam
, Fredericksburg
and Chancellorsville
, and Dawes himself received a series of promotions, eventually attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel
. By July 1863, Rufus Dawes, battle-tested and calm under pressure, had risen to become one of the best volunteer officers in the Union Army
.
Sergeant Amos Humiston
New York native Amos Humiston had lived a life few Civil War soldiers could imagine. In an era when most men rarely journeyed more than 50 miles from their homes, Humiston had traveled halfway around the world as part of a whaling voyage sponsored by a New England firm. After returning to the United States, he worked as a harness maker before enlisting in the Union Army in the summer of 1862. Humiston spent much of his first year of service in poor health and was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in the spring of 1863. His spirits were lifted by frequent letters from his family and the cherished gift of a photo of his three children, given to him by his wife—a photo that would lead this unlikely man to become one of the most famous soldiers to fight at Gettysburg.
Colonel James Wallace voiced by actor Joshua Artis
James Wallace's experience reflected the conflict many Maryland residents faced at the outbreak of the Civil War. A pro-Union slave owner, Wallace was a successful politician who had served in the Maryland state senate before organizing the 1st Maryland Volunteers (Eastern Shore). One of four border states, Maryland remained loyal to the Union, but a growing sense of unease erupted into violence in 1861. Units like Wallace's were charged with preventing civil unrest and protecting Union interests in the state. Most of these Maryland soldiers were reluctant to actively take up arms against their friends, neighbors and family members, and some even went so far as threatening desertion if forced to do so. However, in the summer of 1863, a small group of them, including James Wallace, fought their first and only battle of the war at Gettysburg-against those they feared facing the most.
Brigadier General William Barksdale
William Barksdale made his antebellum name as a newspaper editor and Mississippi congressman, a position he used to promote his support of slavery and states' rights. As one of the most prominent in a group of Southern politicians known as the Fire Eaters
, Barksdale strongly supported the secession of Southern states from the Union. A political rather than professional general, he earned a somewhat controversial reputation as a commander, narrowly escaping formal punishment for a drinking problem and becoming increasingly unpopular among his troops. He was successful in the field, however, and in July 1863 he led his unit, known as Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, into combat on the fields of Pennsylvania, urging them on with the rallying cry of "Onward, brave Mississippians, for Glory!"
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis
As the nephew of Confederate
President Jefferson Davis
, Joseph Davis was a member of one of Mississippi's most distinguished families. Trained as a lawyer and politician, he spent the first two years of the war on desk duty, serving on his uncle's staff. Davis' political connections eventually secured him a field command, though charges of nepotism would follow him throughout the war. After spending nearly nine months in command of Southern troops defending the Confederate capital of Richmond, Davis finally had the chance to lead his men into battle for the first time at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Private D. Ridgeley Howard
A native of Baltimore, Ridgeley Howard was one of more than 20,000 Marylanders who slipped across the Potomac and enlisted to fight for the Confederate cause. His 1st Maryland Infantry, formed just two months after war broke out, fought at First Manassas
(Bull Run), the Shenandoah Valley and the Peninsula Campaign
. By the summer of 1862, the term of enlistment for these men had ended, but most, including Howard, did not return to their homes in Union-occupied Maryland. Instead, they joined newly formed Confederate units, including the 2nd Maryland Infantry, and marched northward with the Army of Northern Virginia. At the Battle of Gettysburg they would face off against a familiar foe and perform with such bravery that General Robert E. Lee
would be compelled to honor their service.
Private Joseph C. Lloyd voiced by actor Johnny Ray Meeks
Joseph Lloyd was like thousands of other Confederate soldiers: He was in his early 20s when he fought in the war, came from a small, rural community and did not own any slaves. As a member of Brigadier General William Barksdale's Mississipian Brigade, he saw action in some of the fiercest clashes of the war. Just 23 in the summer of 1863, Lloyd was already a battle-tested veteran, having served at First Manassas (Bull Run), the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Assistant Surgeon LeGrand Wilson
LeGrand Wilson was the rare Confederate soldier who was familiar with the North, having spent several years there before the war completing his medical education. A member of a prosperous Southern family that owned nearly 40 slaves, he considered himself a deeply religious and moral man. He was anti-gambling, pro-temperance and crusaded against the desecration of the Sabbath. After spending the early part of the war in an infantry regiment whose primary role was the defense of Richmond, Virginia, Wilson accepted a position as an assistant surgeon with the Confederate Army's 42nd Mississippi. Gettysburg was Wilson's first experience with the horrific aftermath of battle-and it would haunt him for the rest of his life.
for GIVE 150, a massive educational and fund-raising initiative to enhance Civil War education nationwide, and to protect and preserve battlefields and other key sites from this pivotal period in American history. Dedicated to highlighting the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War an entire week of programming will be set aside featuring various new and old episodes of shows showcasing the war. In 2011 Civil War Week will commence on Memorial Day Monday with war themed episodes of Pawn Stars
followed by the television premiere of Gettysburg. Throughout the week there will be new episodes of American Pickers
, reruns of Brad Meltzer's Decoded
, Modern Marvels
and other various shows, along with the premiere of Lee & Grant a television documentary film directed by John Ealer.
, Ram
, and Bank of America
.
Wanting to entice young and middle aged men to watch the Memorial Day special, senior director of consumer marketing at History Ann Marie Granite, went back to Microsoft's
Xbox 360
to help promote the film. Features allow users to compete for prizes by downloading free market content from the Xbox live store, other features include an interactive map of Gettysburg that provides historical background on each day of battle and campaigning videos that showcase the movie.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed by Adrian Moat that was first aired on May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
) on History. This two-hour documentary film, narrated by actor Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell is an American actor known for his leading roles in Lawn Dogs, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Choke and Moon, as well as for his supporting roles in The Green Mile, Iron Man 2, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Frost/Nixon, Galaxy Quest, Matchstick Men, The Assassination of...
, commenced a week of programming by the History channel honoring and commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. Gettysburg showcases the horror of the pivotal 1863 Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
by following the stories of eight men as they put their lives on the line to fight for what they believed in.
Featured soldiers
Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Dawes voiced by actor André SogliuzzoRufus Dawes' patriotic fervor ran in his blood: His great-grandfather had ridden with Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
on the famed midnight ride to warn American colonists of the approaching British army. An Ohio native, Dawes moved to Wisconsin as a teenager, and in June 1861 he organized a volunteer unit known as the Lemonweir Minute Men
Minutemen
Minutemen were members of teams of select men from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.The minutemen were among the first...
, which was soon mustered into the 6th Wisconsin Infantry. As part of the famed Iron Brigade-composed of regiments from the Midwest-the 6th Wisconsin saw action at Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
, Fredericksburg
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
and Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
, and Dawes himself received a series of promotions, eventually attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. By July 1863, Rufus Dawes, battle-tested and calm under pressure, had risen to become one of the best volunteer officers in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
.
Sergeant Amos Humiston
Amos Humiston
Amos Humiston was killed in action during the American Civil War on the Gettysburg Battlefield, dying with his childrens' image that his wife had mailed to him months earlier. A local girl found the image, and Dr. J. Francis Bournes saw it at her father's tavern and subsequently promoted the...
New York native Amos Humiston had lived a life few Civil War soldiers could imagine. In an era when most men rarely journeyed more than 50 miles from their homes, Humiston had traveled halfway around the world as part of a whaling voyage sponsored by a New England firm. After returning to the United States, he worked as a harness maker before enlisting in the Union Army in the summer of 1862. Humiston spent much of his first year of service in poor health and was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in the spring of 1863. His spirits were lifted by frequent letters from his family and the cherished gift of a photo of his three children, given to him by his wife—a photo that would lead this unlikely man to become one of the most famous soldiers to fight at Gettysburg.
Colonel James Wallace voiced by actor Joshua Artis
James Wallace's experience reflected the conflict many Maryland residents faced at the outbreak of the Civil War. A pro-Union slave owner, Wallace was a successful politician who had served in the Maryland state senate before organizing the 1st Maryland Volunteers (Eastern Shore). One of four border states, Maryland remained loyal to the Union, but a growing sense of unease erupted into violence in 1861. Units like Wallace's were charged with preventing civil unrest and protecting Union interests in the state. Most of these Maryland soldiers were reluctant to actively take up arms against their friends, neighbors and family members, and some even went so far as threatening desertion if forced to do so. However, in the summer of 1863, a small group of them, including James Wallace, fought their first and only battle of the war at Gettysburg-against those they feared facing the most.
Brigadier General William Barksdale
William Barksdale
William Barksdale was a lawyer, newspaper editor, U.S. Congressman, and a Confederate general in the American Civil War...
William Barksdale made his antebellum name as a newspaper editor and Mississippi congressman, a position he used to promote his support of slavery and states' rights. As one of the most prominent in a group of Southern politicians known as the Fire Eaters
Fire-Eaters
In United States history, the term Fire-Eaters refers to a group of extremist pro-slavery politicians from the South who urged the separation of southern states into a new nation, which became known as the Confederate States of America.-Impact:...
, Barksdale strongly supported the secession of Southern states from the Union. A political rather than professional general, he earned a somewhat controversial reputation as a commander, narrowly escaping formal punishment for a drinking problem and becoming increasingly unpopular among his troops. He was successful in the field, however, and in July 1863 he led his unit, known as Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, into combat on the fields of Pennsylvania, urging them on with the rallying cry of "Onward, brave Mississippians, for Glory!"
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis
Joseph R. Davis
Joseph Robert Davis was a Confederate general during the American Civil War and nephew of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. His troops played an important role in the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life:...
As the nephew of Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
, Joseph Davis was a member of one of Mississippi's most distinguished families. Trained as a lawyer and politician, he spent the first two years of the war on desk duty, serving on his uncle's staff. Davis' political connections eventually secured him a field command, though charges of nepotism would follow him throughout the war. After spending nearly nine months in command of Southern troops defending the Confederate capital of Richmond, Davis finally had the chance to lead his men into battle for the first time at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Private D. Ridgeley Howard
A native of Baltimore, Ridgeley Howard was one of more than 20,000 Marylanders who slipped across the Potomac and enlisted to fight for the Confederate cause. His 1st Maryland Infantry, formed just two months after war broke out, fought at First Manassas
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
(Bull Run), the Shenandoah Valley and the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
. By the summer of 1862, the term of enlistment for these men had ended, but most, including Howard, did not return to their homes in Union-occupied Maryland. Instead, they joined newly formed Confederate units, including the 2nd Maryland Infantry, and marched northward with the Army of Northern Virginia. At the Battle of Gettysburg they would face off against a familiar foe and perform with such bravery that General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
would be compelled to honor their service.
Private Joseph C. Lloyd voiced by actor Johnny Ray Meeks
Joseph Lloyd was like thousands of other Confederate soldiers: He was in his early 20s when he fought in the war, came from a small, rural community and did not own any slaves. As a member of Brigadier General William Barksdale's Mississipian Brigade, he saw action in some of the fiercest clashes of the war. Just 23 in the summer of 1863, Lloyd was already a battle-tested veteran, having served at First Manassas (Bull Run), the Peninsula Campaign, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Assistant Surgeon LeGrand Wilson
LeGrand Wilson was the rare Confederate soldier who was familiar with the North, having spent several years there before the war completing his medical education. A member of a prosperous Southern family that owned nearly 40 slaves, he considered himself a deeply religious and moral man. He was anti-gambling, pro-temperance and crusaded against the desecration of the Sabbath. After spending the early part of the war in an infantry regiment whose primary role was the defense of Richmond, Virginia, Wilson accepted a position as an assistant surgeon with the Confederate Army's 42nd Mississippi. Gettysburg was Wilson's first experience with the horrific aftermath of battle-and it would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Civil War Week
On February 9, 2011, President and General Manager of History channel, Nancy Dubuc, announced the channel's partnership with the Civil War Trust and the National Park FoundationNational Park Foundation
Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s nearly 400 national parks. Funds contributed to the Foundation are invested directly into the national parks...
for GIVE 150, a massive educational and fund-raising initiative to enhance Civil War education nationwide, and to protect and preserve battlefields and other key sites from this pivotal period in American history. Dedicated to highlighting the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War an entire week of programming will be set aside featuring various new and old episodes of shows showcasing the war. In 2011 Civil War Week will commence on Memorial Day Monday with war themed episodes of Pawn Stars
Pawn Stars
Pawn Stars is an American reality television series on the History Channel, produced in Manhattan by Leftfield Pictures. The series is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24-hour family business operated by patriarch Richard...
followed by the television premiere of Gettysburg. Throughout the week there will be new episodes of American Pickers
American Pickers
American Pickers is an American reality television series that premiered on January 18, 2010 on History Channel. The series began running concurrently on sister channel Lifetime in December 2010.-Summary and reception:...
, reruns of Brad Meltzer's Decoded
Brad Meltzer's Decoded
Brad Meltzer's Decoded, , is an American mystery and conspiracy theory investigation television series, produced by Go Go Luckey and Berman/Braun, that premiered December 2, 2010 on the History channel...
, Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels
Modern Marvels is a documentary television series that premiered on January 1, 1995 on History. The program focuses on how technologies affect and are used in today's society....
and other various shows, along with the premiere of Lee & Grant a television documentary film directed by John Ealer.
Marketing campaign
Signing on to sponsor the title and the Civil War Week project include companies GeicoGEICO
The Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
, Ram
Ram Trucks
Ram Trucks is a United States-based brand of light to mid-weight pickup trucks established in 2009 as a division of Chrysler Group LLC.-Background:...
, and Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
.
Wanting to entice young and middle aged men to watch the Memorial Day special, senior director of consumer marketing at History Ann Marie Granite, went back to Microsoft's
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
to help promote the film. Features allow users to compete for prizes by downloading free market content from the Xbox live store, other features include an interactive map of Gettysburg that provides historical background on each day of battle and campaigning videos that showcase the movie.