Chapter 21: Day One: 4:45–6:00 PM

Lee’s battle blood is up, and he feels that Gettysburg could be his last best chance to cripple the entire Union Army. At this point his eye falls east of town on Culp’s Hill which rises over 600 feet and looks down on the entire Cemetery Ridge line. He turns to A.P. Hill to take this prize piece of geography.

But the bed-ridden Hill declines, saying that his troops have already led the Day One advances and are fought out. Thus Lee turns to his II Corps – formerly led by Jackson but now under Ewell – issuing orders around 4:45 PM to carry Culp’s Hill “if you find it practicable.”

Lee is further heartened at about this same time when two out-riders from General Stuart’s missing cavalry arrive to say he is safe and on the way.

As the church bells in town ring 5:30 PM, the guns fall silent and an ominous silence hovers over both armies awaiting the next act.