The Surprising Reason Why the Battle of Gettysburg Took Place Where It Did

[MULTIZ321]

The Surprising Reason Why the Battle of Gettysburg Took Place Where It Did
By Declan Cronin and Catherine L. Thompson/ History News Network/ History/ Military/ Time/ time.com

"On the eve of the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, does anyone remember why it took place there? Or why it began on July 1st? Most recent scholarship would answer that Robert E. Lee designed an offensive operation into Pennsylvania to offset recent Rebel setbacks and to gain greater access to the rich harvests of the Shenandoah Valley. But that doesn’t really answer the questions of why there and why then.

It was because of a shoe....."

Culp's Hill, part of the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, circa 1863.
Library of Congress/Getty Images


Richard

 

[taterhed]

Fascinating.

sad of course...

 

[mjm1]

Interesting article and story. I have always been fascinated with the Civil War, partly due to the way my US History teacher instructed our class in high school in the early 70's. We had an opportunity in the late 90's to visit Gettysburg, among other places during an east coast driving trip, and I remembered the stories my teacher shared with us about the battle. The story of the shoes was not included.

Thanks for sharing it.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[WalnutBaron]

Here is a photo of the Brogan style shoes that the Confederate Army was looking for. As is mentioned in the article, there was no right or left shoe. This was done for the purpose of speeding up production. The shoes had to mold to an individual soldier's foot over time to become that soldier's right and left shoes.

These shoes were worn by Private M. Page Lapham of Danville, Virginia, who was shot at Dewry's Bluff in May, 1864 and died nine days later at a military hospital in Richmond.

 

[Bucky]

We’ve probably been to Gettysburg a half dozen times. Fascinating and a little eerie walking through that whole area.