Gettysburg July 3 1863: Confederate: The Army of Northern Virginia

'Solid shot ploughs huge lanes in their close columns ... Their shattered lines do not waiver, but steadily closing up the gaps of death, come on in magnificent order. With banners waving, with steady step, they sweep on like an irresistible wave of fate.' Despite two days of vicious fighting Lee's Army had failed to break the Union line. He reasoned that to hold the flanks against the southern attacks Meade must have weakened the centre of his line along Cemetery Ridge – and so this is where Lee would attack. Not all were in accordance with the plan, with Longstreet in particular expressing his concerns. Just after 3.10pm on July 3rd General George Pickett rode to the front of his division and turning in the saddle he commanded, 'Charge the enemy and remember Old Virginia.' Facing the Union lines in a clear voice he called, 'Forward! Guide center! March!' At that moment thousands of Confederates began their march into history.