---
title: James Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg: Excerpts From the Official Action Report
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/3013/james-longstreets-account-of-the-battle-of-gettysb/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2026-11-03
---
# James Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg: Excerpts From the Official Action Report
_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_
At the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Gettysburg (1-3 July 1863) Confederate Lieutenant General [James Longstreet](https://www.worldhistory.org/James_Longstreet/) urged his commanding officer, General [Robert E. Lee](https://www.worldhistory.org/Robert_E._Lee/), to reposition their forces on the evening of Day 1. Lee refused, as the Union Army was before him and he had never retreated from a battle once engaged.
[  Battle of Gettysburg Thule de Thulstrup / Adam Cuerden (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19571/battle-of-gettysburg/ "Battle of Gettysburg")Longstreet was not arguing for a retreat, however, but a redeployment in a flanking/turning maneuver that would provide better ground, as the Union Army was heavily entrenched on Cemetery Hill and dislodging them through frontal assaults would be quite costly. Lee was certain it could be done, however, and was proven wrong when Confederate forces were beaten back on Day 2.
Still certain he could win on Day 3, Lee ordered infantry under Longstreet's command to break the Union center on Cemetery Hill – and Longstreet, knowing the attack would fail, reluctantly gave the order for Pickett's Charge (more accurately known as Longstreet's Assault) – the most famous event of the battle – to proceed.
This frontal assault on a heavily fortified position, with inadequate support from artillery, resulted in heavy Confederate losses of over 50%. The Battle of Gettysburg was a stunning Union victory, and Lee was driven back across the Potomac River, ending his second attempt at invading the North.
On 27 July 1863, having successfully retreated, Longstreet wrote his official action report of the battle, addressed to Colonel W. H. Taylor, Lee's primary staff officer and Adjutant-General for the [Army of Northern Virginia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Army_of_Northern_Virginia/). He does not highlight his disagreement with Lee, although he does allude to it on the morning of Day 3 when he mentions his plans for a flanking maneuver that were countermanded by Lee.
This report has since become a significant primary source on the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/).
### Text
The following excerpt from Longstreet's report is taken from the article *Official Report of Lieut. General James Longstreet* on the National Park Service website for the Gettysburg National Military Park. Typographical errors have been corrected, and subtitles were added for clarity.
The report was first published in *The [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies* (1889), Series 1, Volume 27. Ellipses indicate text omitted in the interests of space and word count. The full text is given below in the bibliography and External Links.
> **HDQRS. 1ST ARMY CORPS, DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA**
> **Near Culpeper Court-House, July 27, 1863.**
> COLONEL: In obedience to orders from the commanding general, my command marched from Fredericksburg, on June 3, for Culpeper Courthouse…
> On the night of the 28th, one of my scouts came in with information that the enemy had passed the Potomac and was probably in pursuit of us…The command, excepting Pickett's divisions…moved on the morning of the 30th…
> **Day 2 of Battle**
> On the next day, the troops set out for Gettysburg, excepting Pickett's division, not yet relieved from duty at Chambersburg, and McLaw's brigade, left by Hood on picket at New Guilford. Our march was greatly delayed on this day by Johnson's division, of the Second Corps, which came into the road from Shippensburg, and the long wagon trains that followed him...
> The enemy, having been driven back by the corps of Lieutenant-Generals Ewell and [A. P. Hill](https://www.worldhistory.org/A._P._Hill/) the day previous, had taken a strong position, extending from the hill at the cemetery along the Emmitsburg road.
> Fearing that my force was too weak to venture to make an attack, I delayed until General McLaw's brigade joined its division. As soon after his arrival as we could make our preparations, the movement was begun. Engineers, sent out by the commanding general and myself, guided us by a road which would have completely disclosed the move. Some delay ensued in seeking a more concealed route.
> McLaws' division got into position opposite the enemy's left about 4 p.m. Hood's division was moved on farther to our right, and got into position, partially enveloping the enemy's left.
> The enemy's first position along the Emmitsburg road was but little better, in point of strength, than the first position taken by these two divisions. Our batteries were opened upon this position, Hood's division pressing upon his left and McLaws' upon his front.
> He was soon dislodged and driven back upon a commanding hill, which is so precipitous and rough as to render it difficult of ascent. Numerous stone fences about its base added greatly to its strength. The enemy, taking shelter behind these, held them, one after another, with great pertinacity.
> He was driven from point to point, however, until nearly night, when a strong force met the brigades of Major-General \[R. H.\] Anderson's division, which were co-operating upon my left, drove of them back, and, checking the support of the other, caused my left to be somewhat exposed and outflanked. Wofford's brigade, of McLaws' division, was driven back at the same time. I thought it prudent not to push farther until my other troops came up.
> General Hood received a severe wound soon after getting under fire and was obliged to leave the field. The misfortune occasioned some delay in our operations. Brig. General G. T. Anderson, of his division, was also severely wounded, and obliged to leave the field. In the same attack, General McLaws lost two of his brigadiers (General Barksdale mortally wounded, and General Semmes severely wounded, and since died of his wounds).
> The command was finally so disposed as to hold the ground gained on the right, with my left withdrawn to the first position of the enemy, resting at the peach orchard. During the combat of this day, four pieces of artillery were captured and secured by the command, and two regimental standards.
> **Day 3 of Battle**
> On the following morning our arrangements made for renewing the attack by my right, with a view to pass around the hill occupied by the enemy on his left, and to gain it by flank and reverse attack. This would have been a slow process, probably, but I think not very difficult.
> A few moments after my orders for the execution of this plan were given, the commanding general joined me, and ordered a [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/) of attack to be formed of Pickett's, Heth's, and part of Pender's divisions, the assault to be made directly at the enemy's main position, the Cemetery Hill.
> The distance to be passed over under the fire of the enemy's batteries, and in plain view, seemed too great to insure great results, particularly as two-thirds of the troops to be engaged in the assault had been in a severe battle two days previous, Pickett's division alone being fresh.
> Orders were given to Major-General Pickett to form his line under the best cover that he could get from the enemy's batteries, and so that the center of the assaulting column would arrive at the salient of the enemy's position. General Pickett's line to be the guide and to attack the line of the enemy's defenses, and General Pettigrew, in command of Heth's division, moving on the same line as General Pickett, was to assault the salient at the same moment.
> Pickett's division was arranged, two brigades in the front line, supported by his third brigade, and Wilcox's brigade was ordered to move in rear of his right flank, to protect in form any force that the enemy might attempt to move against it.
> Heth's division under the command of Brigadier-General Pettigrew, was arranged in two lines, and these supported by part of Major-General Pender's division, under Major-General Trimble. All of the batteries of the First and Third Corps, and some of those of the Second, were put into the best positions for effective fire upon the point of attack and the hill occupied by the enemy's left. Colonel Walton, chief of artillery of First Corps, and Colonel [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) had posted our batteries and agreed with the artillery officers of the other corps upon the signal for the batteries to open.
> About 2 p.m. General Pickett, who had been charged with the duty of arranging the lines behind our batteries, reported that the troops were in order and on the most sheltered ground. Colonel Walton was ordered to open the batteries. The signal guns were fired, and all the batteries opened very handsomely and apparently with effective fire.
> The guns on the hill, at the enemy's left were soon silenced. Those on the Cemetery Hill combated us, however, very obstinately. Many of them were driven off, but fresh ones were brought up to replace them. Colonel Alexander was ordered to a point where we could best observe the effect our fire, and to give notice of the most opportune moment for our attack.
> Sometime after our batteries opened fire, I rode to Major \[James\] Dearing's batteries. It appeared that the enemy put in fresh batteries about as rapidly as others were driven off. I concluded, therefore, that we must attack very soon, if we hoped to accomplish anything before night.
> **Pickett's Charge**
> I gave orders for the batteries to refill their ammunition chests, and to be prepared to follow up to advance of the infantry. Upon riding over to Colonel Alexander's position, I found that he had advised General Pickett that the time had arrived for the attack, and I gave the order for General Pickett to advance to the assault.
> I found then that our supply of ammunition was so short that the batteries could not reopen. The order for this attack, which I could not favor under better auspices, would have been revoked had I felt that I had that privilege. The advance was made in very handsome style, all the troops keeping their lines accurately, and taking the fire of the batteries with great coolness and deliberation.
> About halfway between our position and that of the enemy, a ravine partially sheltered our troops from the enemy's fire, where a short halt was made for rest. The advance was resumed after a moment's pause, all still in good order. The enemy's batteries soon opened upon our lines with canister, and the left seemed to stagger under it, but the advance was resumed, and with some degree of steadiness.
> Pickett's troops did not appear to be checked by the batteries, and only halted to deliver a fire when close under muskets-range. Major-General Anderson's division was ordered forward to support and assist the wavering columns of Pettigrew and Trimble. Pickett's troops, after delivering fire, advanced to the charge, and entered the enemy's lines, capturing some of his batteries, and gained his works. About the same moment, the troops that had before hesitated, broke their ranks and fell back in great disorder, many more falling under the enemy's fire in retiring than while they were attacking.
> This gave the enemy time to throw his entire force upon Pickett, with a strong prospect of being able to break up his lines or destroy him before Anderson's division could reach him, which would, in its turn, have greatly exposed Anderson. He was, therefore, ordered to halt.
> In a few moments the enemy, marching against both flanks and the front of Pickett's division, overpowered it and drove it back, capturing about half of those of it who were not killed or wounded. General Wright, of Anderson's division, with all the officers, was ordered to rally and collect the scattered troops behind Anderson's division, and many of my staff officers were sent to assist in the same service.
> **Aftermath**
> Expecting an attack from the enemy, I rode to the front of our batteries, to reconnoiter and superintend their operations. The enemy threw forward forces at different times and from different points, but they were only feelers, and retired as soon as our batteries opened upon them.
> These little advances and checks were kept up till night, when the enemy retired to his stronghold and my line was withdrawn to the Gettysburg Road on the right, then received orders to make all the needful arrangements for our retreat. The orders for preparation were given, and the work was begun before daylight on the 4th.
> **Retreat**
> On the night of the 4th, the troops were withdrawn from our line, and my command took up the line of march, following the corps of Lieutenant General A. P. Hill. Our march was much impeded by heavy rains and excessively bad roads. We succeeded, however, in reaching the top of the mountain early in the night of the 5th.
> On the 6th, my command, passing to the front, marched for Hagerstown…The next day, the command was put in camp on the best ground that could be found, and remained quiet until the 10th, when the enemy was reported to be advancing to meet us.
> It was supposed at first to be a cavalry force only, but I thought it prudent to move some of the infantry down on the Antietam, at Funkstown. After reaching the Antietam, General Stuart asked for infantry supports for his batteries, and two brigades (Semmes', under Colonel \[Goode\] Bryan, and Anderson's, under Colonel \[W. W.\] White) were sent across, as he desired.
> For the report of their service, I refer to the report of Major-General Stuart and the brigade commanders. A line of battle was selected, extending from a point on the Potomac near Downsville to the Hagerstown and Williamsport turnpike, my command on the right.
> The troops were put to work, and, in twenty-four [hours](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/), our line was comfortably intrenched. A few of the enemy's sharpshooters came up on the Boonsborough road, and to within long range of our picket line on the 12th.
> On the evening of the same day, a light skirmish was brought on by an advance of a line of sharpshooters at the Saint James' College. That night our bridge was completed, and, the day after, I received orders to recross the Potomac after night, and the caissons of the batteries were started back about 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
> The troops marched as soon as it was dark, my command leading. Having but a single road to travel upon, our trains soon came to a halt. I rode on to the bridge, to hasten the movements as much as possible, and sent my staff officers to different points along the line to keep everything in motion. Details were made to keep up fires to light the road at the worst points, and Captain \[J. H.\] Manning, with his signal torches, lighted us across the bridge.
> The natural difficulties in making such movements were increased by the darkness of the night, a heavy rain storm, flooding the road with mud and water, and finally by one of our wagons, loaded with wounded, running off the bridge, breaking it down, and throwing our wounded headlong into the river.
> We were so fortunate, however, as to rescue them in a few moments. They were made somewhat comfortable in other vehicles and sent forward. Major \[John J.\] Clarke and Captains \[Henry T.\] Douglas and \[S. R.\] Johnston, of the Corps of Engineers, applied themselves diligently to the work of repairing the bridge, and, in two hours, our line was again in motion.
> When the accident occurred at the bridge, I sent back orders for one of my divisions to occupy the redoubts that had been thrown up to protect the bridge, and also directed Colonel Alexander to place his batteries in position on the same line.
> As soon as the bridge was repaired, I rode back to this line, but finding that the enemy was not pursuing, the troops were again put in motion. The rear of my column passed the bridge at 9 o'clock in the morning and encamped for the night at Hainesville…
> **Commendations and Casualties**
> I desire to mention the following-named officers as among those most distinguished for the exhibition of great gallantry and skill, viz: Major-Generals Pickett, Hood, and Trimble, the two latter severely wounded; Kemper, very seriously wounded; Semmes, severely wounded, and since died of his wounds; Pettigrew, slightly wounded; Kershaw, [Law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/), and G. T. Anderson, the last severely wounded
> Brigadier-General Barksdale was mortally wounded in the attack on the evening of the 2d, while bravely leading his brigade in the assault.
> Brig. General R. B. Garnett was killed while gallantly leading his brigade in the assault upon the enemy's position upon the Cemetery Hill.
> Colonel Walton, chief of artillery, and Colonel Alexander, Major Dearing, Major \[Frank\] Hugher, Major Eshelman, and Captain \[M. B.\] Miller, of the Corps of Artillery, were noted for the courage, zeal, and ability with which they discharged their duties.
> The troops all exhibited great determination and courage on the battlefield, which, together with the fortitude and endurance subsequently shown by the under circumstances of great trial, justly entitles them to our hearty thanks and highest praise.
> Major-General Pickett's division merits especial for the determined manner in which in assaulted the enemy's strong position upon the Cemetery Hill.
> For valuable and meritorious service on the field, I desire to express my renewed obligations to the officers of my staff, Lieutenant-Colonel G. M. Sorrel, Lieutenant-Colonel \[Peyton T.\] Manning, Majors \[John W.\] Fairfax, \[O.\] Lotrobe, \[John J.\] Clarke, and \[Thomas\] Walton, and Captains \[Thomas J.\] Goree, \[John W.\] Riely, and \[H. J.\] Rogers.
> Major \[S. P.\] Mitchell, chief quartermasters; Major \[R. J.\] [Moses](https://www.worldhistory.org/Moses/), chief commissary of subsistence; Surgeon \[J. S. D.\] Cullen, medical director. Surgeons \[Randolph\] Barksdale and \[Thomas F.\] Maury, and Captain Manning, signal officer, discharged the duties of their respective departments with zeal and ability.
> Statements of the casualties of the campaign, embracing the killed, wounded, and missing, have been already forwarded.
> I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
> JAMES LONGSTREET
> Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Longstreet, J. *From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of the Civil War in America.* Firework Press, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B001D4E9TA/)
- [Sears, S. W. *Gettysburg.* Mariner Books, 2004.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0044S34C0/)
- [US National Park Service/Gettysburg National Military Park/Official Report of Lieut. General James Longstreet](https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/official-report-of-lieut-general-james-longstreet.htm "US National Park Service/Gettysburg National Military Park/Official Report of Lieut. General James Longstreet"), accessed 24 Oct 2026.
- [Wert, J. D. *General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier.* Simon & Schuster, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0671892878/)
## About the Author
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)
## Questions & Answers
### What is James Longstreet's account of the Battle of Gettysburg?
Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg is the official action report detailing Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet's participation in the engagement and noting casualties and commendations.
### When was Longstreet's account of the Battle of Gettysburg written?
Longstreet's account of the Battle of Gettysburg was written on 27 July 1863 after the Confederate retreat from the field at Gettysburg.
### Why was Longstreet reluctant to order the assault known as Pickett's Charge?
Longstreet was reluctant to order Pickett's Charge because he was certain it would fail. His men had to cross over a mile of open field under heavy fire from an entrenched position and, as he said, no 15,000 men ever arranged for battle could take that position. He was right.
### Why is the assault known as Pickett's Charge?
Although there were other generals involved in the assault - such as Pettigrew and Trimble - post-war narratives focused on the gallantry of the Virginians under General George E. Pickett. Modern historians use the more accurate term "Longstreet's Assault" because Longstreet was responsible for ordering it.
## External Links
- [American Battlefield Trust/Pickett's Charge](https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/picketts-charge)
- [US National Park Service/Gettysburg National Military Park/Official Report of Lieut. General James Longstreet](https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/official-report-of-lieut-general-james-longstreet.htm)
- [US National Park Service/Gettysburg National Military Park/Essential Background: The Battle of Gettysburg](https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/education/classrooms/essential-background-the-battle-of-gettysburg.htm)
- [The Longstreet Society/ James Longstreet Timeline](http://www.longstreetsociety.org/timeline.html)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Mark, J. J. (2026, November 03). James Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg: Excerpts From the Official Action Report. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "James Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg: Excerpts From the Official Action Report." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 03, 2026. .
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "James Longstreet's Account of the Battle of Gettysburg: Excerpts From the Official Action Report." *World History Encyclopedia*, 03 Nov 2026, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 03 November 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.