26th NC Regiment & the Battle of Gettysburg, PA (July 1-3 1863) One of the largest regiments in the Army of Northern VA Began the assault on July 1, 1863 fought the Iron Brigade (24th Michigan) Flag shot down 14 times first day Began with 800 men, 558 killed, wounded, or missing by the end of day (212 left) Rested on July 2nd to recover from day 1st MN in action on July 2nd July 3- was part of Pickett's Charge- deadly assault to overtake high ground (lost 120 more men) Flag shot down 8 times that final day 26th advanced the most distance on battlefield than any other unit (92 were left) Hibriten Company suffered 100% causality rate at Gettysburg (all 91 men died) The 26th holds the tragic distinction of suffering the highest causalities of any unit at Gettysburg- Confederate.
Things to remember about Gettysburg: Turning point in war- Union victory Bloodiest battle of war- high casualties (50,000-51,000) Aftermath of battle- smell.... dead bodies, horses, battlefield littered aftermath in the summer sun. Odors hung around for months! Bodies were buried in shallow graves to clean up the mess. Horses and mules were doused in kerosene then burned. Disinfectant spread all over the streets. Problem remaining - battle end- wounded- hospitals everywhere - 21,000 men