Amanda Caporuscio
Hist101 I009 Spr 18
Professor Parham
17 June 2018
Gettysburg
2
The Battle of Gettysburg
July 1, 1863 is a significant date in history and is better known as the turning point for the
American Civil War. The Union and Confederate troops came to battle in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg, while not long lived like some of the other battles lasted
just three days with more than 50,000 casualties combined from both sides. There are a lot of
people that are not exactly sure how this bloody battle even started, who played a significant role
in the fighting or how this historical event paved the way for the development of the United
States.
To start, Confederate leader General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of men across the
Potomac River into Union territory in June 1863 (Klein, 2013). His plan was to draw the Union
Army out of Vicksburg and knew that if he crossed over the Potomac the politicians in
Washington would try to force them out. Having recently conquered Chancellorsville, Lee was
very confident that he could do this. Another reason he was moving north was that the south had
this point held all of the major battles and knew that that region needed a break, also they were
running low on supplies and need to stock up. Lee moved cautiously he had sent General Jeb
Stuart north to scout the area but had heard no word from him. The Army of the Potomac was
moving north and was only 20 miles from Lee. On June 30th General John Buford, Commander
of the Calvary Division rode into Gettysburg and spotted rebel forces rummaging through the
town. He sent word back to General George Meade, the newly appointed Commander of the
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Union, to inform him of the situation and asked what his next move was. At this point Buford
was occupying the high ground and knew if he withdrew from that position Lee would move in
and command the high ground. Meade replied back and told him to “hold the position and wait
for support from General Reynolds”.
On the morning of July 1st after the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the
Potomac clashed, the battle began. Over the next few hours the fighting continued General
Buford was becoming concerned that his men could not continue holding the line until he saw
General Reynolds ride up with reinforcements. The day was coming to an end and the union was
retreating through the town but still maintained the high ground. General Lee had sent a message
out to his commanders “to attack and if practicable that hill” (Rhodes, 1899). The hill he was
talking about was cemetery hill, this overlooked the town. They failed to take the hill and night
fell, the Union now had reinforcements and had good ground to fight on.
Day two began with the union line in a shape of a fish hook stretching from Cemetery
Hill along Cemetery Ridge down to Little Round Top. Lee looking to capitalize after the success
that he had on day, he devised a plan to attack at both ends of the union line. The fighting on day
two was the heaviest on the left side of the union line during the morning and midafternoon. The
union forces had move off of the ridge and out in to Wheatfield’s, peach orchard, and Devils Den
hoping to deter the confederates from attacking the flank. Lee still attacked and although the
union had stopped them the division were practically destroyed. The confederates pushed
forward and set their sights on Little Round Top. General James Longstreet, Lee’s number two
man noticed that there wasn’t much resistance on the Little Round Top and ordered his men to
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take that hill. The hillside was filled with boulders which made it only passable from the one
side. By the time Longstreet’s men got into position the edge was fill with men from the 20th
Maine commanded by Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. The confederates charged the
hillside multiple times only to be turned away. Col Chamberlain knew that his men could hold
the line much longer and that he couldn’t retreat, the only thing he could do was move forward.
So he gave an order to fix bayonets and moved down the hill and captured the battered men. Col
Chamberlain played one of the most pivotal roles in the entire battle of Gettysburg, without his
defense on Little Round Top the battle would have been over on the day and possible the War.
The 2nd day end with union still in the same position as it started that day but Lee had a plan for
that.
On the 3rd day of battle both sides had fought very hard over the past two days and knew
that one more day could change the outcome. Overnight Lee form a plan, he had already attacked
the ends and was certain that the Meade had reinforced the ends and that the middle would
collapse. The move in history would be called Pickets Charge, named after General George
Picket. The charge started with a bombardment of artillery hoping to weaken the center of the
line. Once the artillery stop the men of picket division started the assault, marching a mile over
open field. They were met with artillery and gun fire; the men of Pickets division were ultimately
destroyed. Day 3 came to end just as fast as it started, the union had won the battle. Lee had to
withdraw only to never to invade the north again.
The Battle of Gettysburg is known as one of the bloodiest battles to date. It also played a
part in shaping the United States. If the Union had not won this particular battle, the United
Gettysburg
States would be much different today. Instead of being one Nation, it would have been divided
into the North and South with a lot of hostility.
5
Gettysburg
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Bibliography
•
Klein, C. (2013). 7 Things You Should Know About the Battle of Gettysburg.
https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-should-know-about-the-battle-of-gettysburg.
(Accessed June 14, 2018) A+E Networks
•
Rhodes, J. (1899). The Battle of Gettysburg. The American Historical Review, 4(4), 665677. doi:10.2307/1833783
Running Head: LEWIS AND CLARK
1
The Expedition of Lewis and Clark
Kayla Abernathy
History 101
Professor : Vera Parham
American Military University
LEWIS AND CLARK
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The expansion of the westward side of the United States was an important tasks that
weighed heavily on President Thomas Jefferson’s mind. With the Louisiana Purchase behind
him, the territory that he once saw untouchable was now within his reach. President Jefferson
assembled a team of Army volunteers to begin an expedition that took them across unknown
territory and terrain. The main objective of the Expedition of Lewis and Clark also known as the
Corps of Discovery Expedition, was to find a waterway from the United States to the Pacific
Ocean. The journey was not an easy one and brought a share of trials and tribulations for the
travelers to face. However, the outcome that came from the persistence of these men and woman
changed history forever.
President Thomas Jefferson hired Meriwether Lewis to be the commander of this famous
expedition. Lewis, a Virginia born man became one of the best known explorers in history.
Before the Corps of Discovery Expedition, Lewis served in the state militia and went on to join
the Army and became a Captain. ("Meriwether Lewis", 2017) William Clark, also born in
Virginia, received an invitation from Meriwether Lewis, to accompany him on the expedition
west. Thirty one men, a woman, a baby and a dog named Seaman ( Anderson, 2017)
accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition westward.
After months of preparation Lewis and Clark and all the men that accompanied started
the 8,000 mile long trek westward. The Expedition started on May 14, 1804 from St. Louis,
Missouri. ("Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)") The men of
this expedition faced many trials along the way, “they braved dangerous waters and harsh
weather and endured hunger, illness, injury, and fatigue.” (History.com Staff, 2009). Prior to the
expedition Meriwether Lewis spent time studying map making, botany, mathematics, fossils and
medicine. ("Thomas Jefferson's Monticello") The discovery of unknown territory was not the
LEWIS AND CLARK
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only thing that was discovered by Lewis and Clark. During the years of the expedition Lewis
documented in journals findings of around 120 animals, and almost 200 different plant species.
“The explorers discovered about 80 species new to science, including future state flowers for
Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, as well as the state grass of Montana” ("Scientific Encounters-Lewis and Clark Expedition ",)
In 1805, Lewis and Clark met Toussaint Charbonneau a French man who had moved to
the Northern section of the Missouri River and settled with the Hidatsas and Mandan. When the
expedition came to his town Toussaint applied to be an interpreter and aid them in the rest of
their travels. Toussaint lacked the skill that Lewis and Clark needed for their journey but his wife
whom was bilingual proved crucial to the success of the expedition. (Sacagawea Heritage
Society, 2018) Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark through tough negotiations with tribes they
encountered along the way. Sacagawea’s vast knowledge of the people around her and the terrain
ahead of her proved valuable to Lewis and Clark. Sacagawea’s skills helped save documents and
aided in the purchase of horses that were needed to continue west. Sacagawea is the recognized
today and the third most influential person on this expedition.
One year, six months and one day after setting on the journey west Lewis and Clark
reached the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River. The Northwest Passage that was
once believed to exist proved itself nonexistent. The group set up camp on the present day
Washington State side of the river and hunted and met with the Chinook Indians. With winter
approaching the Captains, Lewis and Clark needed to find a place to retreat to. Lewis and Clark
decided on a vote that all members of the expedition were allowed to partake in, including
Sacagawea and a slave. On November 24, 1805, sixty years before the end of slavery and more
than a century before the rights of women and Indians the first election vote was had west of the
LEWIS AND CLARK
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Mississippi. ("Lewis and Clark Expedition reaches the Pacific Ocean on November 15, 1805.")
The expedition moved to present day Oregon and set up camp Fort Clatsop named after the local
native people.
Two years after setting off to find the Pacific Ocean and explore the western side of the
United States, Lewis and Clark were finally heading back to St. Louis, Missouri. Upon the return
to St. Louis, Lewis sat down to write the President who had not had any contact with the
expedition since its departure. Lewis and Clark brought back multiple maps of the land they
explored and countless journal entries, documenting every moment spend on the expedition. The
men were greeted with a hero’s welcome and positions in the government. Lewis went on to take
up his given position and government and found himself ill-suited for this job. Lewis was found
dead in 1809 and it is written that his cause of death was suicide. Clark moved back to St. Louis
and became the Head of Indian Affairs and lived with his wife and children. William Clark
passed away in 1838 from natural causes in his home.
The Expedition of Lewis and Clark opened the door for American expansion westward.
The maps, journals and stories left behind by these brave men helped other explorers gain
understanding on the Western territories. While a direct water route to the Pacific Ocean was not
discovered, the discovery of new plants and a better understanding of species that lied west help
settlers expand in new directions. The Expedition of Lewis and Clark is said to be one of the
most important events in American History.
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References
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/inside/seaman.html
History.com Staff. (2009). Lewis and Clark. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/lewisand-clark
History.com Staff. (2010). Sacagawea. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/nativeamerican-history/sacagawea
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.nps.gov/lecl/index.htm
Lewis and Clark Expedition reaches the Pacific Ocean on November 15, 1805. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://www.historylink.org/File/5383
Meriwether Lewis. (2017, December 28). Retrieved from
https://www.biography.com/people/meriwether-lewis-9381267
Sacagawea Heritage Society. (n.d.). Sacagawea’s role and significance in the Lewis and Clark
expedition. Retrieved June 15, 2018, from http://www.sacagawea-biography.org/significancerole-lewis-clark-expedition/
Scientific Encounters--Lewis and Clark Expedition: A National Register of Historic Places Travel
Itinerary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/lewisandclark/encounters.htm
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/preparing-expedition
William Clark. (2017, December 27). Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/people/williamclark-9542620
LEWIS AND CLARK
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Andres Sanchez
HIST101
Professor Parham
June 16, 2018
The complexity within the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century in Massachusetts is
synonymous with insanity. During the dark period of history when these trials took place it is
crucial to understand religious beliefs where at the core of the traumatic epidemic. According to
the article “History of the Salem Witch Trials” written by Rebecca Brooks, “In 17th century
Massachusetts, people often feared that the Devil was constantly trying to find ways to infiltrate
and destroy Christians and their communities”. This in turn shaped the citizens way of life during
this era. While delineating the fundamental cause for these outbursts, it became imperative to
acknowledge the environmental and situational changes during this time.
Historian Charles W. Upham covered these changes in his book “Salem Witchcraft”;
where he stated “It was the darkest and most despanding period in the civil history of New
England. The people, whose ruling passion then was, as it has ever since been, a love for
constitutional rights, had, a few years before, been thrown into dismay by the loss of their
charter, and, from that time, kept in a feverish state of anxiety respecting their political destinies.
In addition to all this, the whole sea-coast was exposed to danger: ruthless pirates were
continually prowling the shores. Commerce was nearly extinguished, and great losses had been
experienced by men in business. A recent expedition against Canada had exposed the colonies to
the vengeance of France”. The people of Salem during this era where on edge from the changes
around them, causing them to rely deeper on their religion and be wary of those around them.
Satan was believed to possess people in the town and in turn they would create witch craft.
Witch craft was synonymous with Satanic actions which the town so deeply feared. It is believed
several young women accused other locals of these Satanic actions.
Once accused the case would be presented in a court trial where the accused would
attempt to convince the Chief of Justice of their innocence. During the barbaric 1692 rulings the
court conducting these trials was named “The Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide)”.
Listed on the Salem’s Court Records, “Lieutenant Governor William Stoughton was appointed
Chief Justice” and depicted by Julie Zeveloff in her research, “William Stoughton: Chief Justice
of the Court of Oyer and Terminer” 2006. In the attempt to eradicate all whom conducted
witchcraft from Massachusetts Governor William Stoughton’s own religious convictions guided
his decisions. Zeveloff reviewed there was no remorse or repentant behavior from Lieutenant
Governor William Stoughton after the trials took place. Contrary to Stoughton’s approach his
justices reflected on the actions in the court and have repented their contributions.
Jess Blumberg attributed to the study, “Judge Samuel Sewall, publicly confessed error and
guilt. On January 14, 1697, the General Court ordered a day of fasting and soul-searching for the
tragedy of Salem. In 1702, the court declared the trials unlawful. And in 1711, the colony passed
a bill restoring the rights and good names of those accused and granted £600 restitution to their
heirs. However, it was not until 1957—more than 250 years later—that Massachusetts formally
apologized for the events of 1692” in her research article “A Brief History of the Salem Witch
Trials”. Even with all the research that has been conducted on these trials, there is still massive
divergence within those whom have studied this historic event. Specifically, when addressing the
courts examinations on the authenticity of these “be-witched” claims. Or, when addressing the
degree of influence Religion was a part of.
Ultimately, prejudice from the citizenry and court officials cost the town several lives
from trials that still shaken our consciousness. “Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it” George Santayana, The Life Of Reason, Volume 1, 1905 US. We see
this repeat as a cyclical effect in the mistreatment of citizens whom have committed crimes and
are subjected to inhumane sentencing such as those affected in the witch-hunt. Mass hysteria
was brought upon the citizenry on July 19, 1692 when 8 of the accused citizens were executed
before them. Victims of the sentencing were robbed of their lives and good names. Hung for a
crime accused out spite, prejudice, and lack of evidence against them. The sentenced “witches’”
Out of the eight victims that dark day in Salem, most of the were women. The difference in
gender ratio was not inadvertently, as witch craft was believed to be done primarily by women.
This signified a grand inequality of sexes at the time. Barbarity took a new toll on the sentencing
of accused Giles Corey, the 20th person to die. According to the Washington post, Giles Corey
“was killed via an archaic punishment called peine forte et dure because he refused to enter a
plea – heavy stones were loaded on to his chest until he suffocated”.
Perhaps, the most widely known tale of the events was portrayed in Arthur Millers “The
Crucible”, a dramatic literary fiction play. Despite the dramatization used in Arthur Millers’ play
he symbolized the nature of one the darkest times in U.S History. His play is used widely
through out English literature to engage our youth in learning about the dark senseless historic
event. Ultimately, we can use these senseless killings as a reminder of the importance of valid
trials. How imperative it is to understand the fundamental causes of the Salem Witch Trials of
Massachusetts to advert as a Nation from committing the same barbaric mistakes.
Works Cited
Brooks, Rebecca. “History of the Salem Witch Trials.” History of Massachusetts Blog,
http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-salem-witch-trials. Accessed 14 June 2018.
Upham, Charles. “Project Gutenberg’s Salem Witchcraft, Volumes I and II.” Gutenberg,
www.gutenberg.org/files/17845/17845-h/17845-h.htm. Accessed 15 June 2018.
Zeveloff, Julie. “William Stoughton: Chief Justice of the Court of Oyer and Terminer.” Salem
Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project,
http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/people?group.num=&mbio.num=mb40. Accessed 16
June 2018.
Blumberg, Jess. “A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials.” Smithsonian,
www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-salem-witch-trials175162489/. Accessed 16 June 2018.
Santayana, George. The Life of Reason. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books, 1998. Print.
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