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Background music: A patriotic march plays softly in the background for the duration. Sound effects: Gunshots, marching, and shouts of men are dispersed throughout the video.
Narrative: With the Union and Confederate armies both massing in the Pennsylvania countryside, a head-on collision in Gettysburg seemed inevitable. Video: Soldiers on horseback walk by as men prepare for battle. Confederate and Union armies fire at one another in a field.
Narrative: On July 1, 1863, the first contact occurred between General John Buford's Union infantry and Major General Heth's Confederate division. Video: Men in uniform stand with shotguns as some take aim and fire.
Narrative: After some initial skirmishes, the hard-pressed Union line moved back to MacPhearson's Ridge. Although the Confederate batteries outnumbered Buford's men, they were able to hold on while waiting for reinforcements. Video: Two armies run and fire guns across a field of gunsmoke.
Narrative: Legion General John Havitts ordered the veteran brigades and batteries of his first war to help Buford's stand fast. As reinforcements arrived, they were deployed strategically. Video: An army of soldiers in uniforms marches with shotguns.
Narrative: Meanwhile for Confederate General Heth, July 1 began with the objective of finding shoes for his troops and information. Instead, he found Buford's men more than ready for a fight Video: A cannon stands readied in a field. Men fire guns at each other. A general waits on horseback with his troops.
Narrative: Heth's infantry scattered into the woods. They intensified the attack when they realized that the Union force opposing them was small. Video: An army runs towards trees amidst gunsmoke.
Narrative: When Reynolds arrived he saw that Buford's position was strong enough for his men to continue to resist. Reynolds immediately sent word to "Hurry up" the reinforcements necessary to stop the Confederate advance. Video: Men load and fire a cannon. A soldier races across a field on horseback.
Narrative: Beyond MacPhearson's Ridge, General Heth decided to bring in more than his skirmishes. He ordered two brigades to send in their main force. Video: An army gathers in a field. Men march shoulder-to-shoulder.
Narrative: Reynolds wanted the first engagement of the battle to be a decisive victory for the Union forces. However, during the fighting he was hit and killed instantly by a shot from the enemy's ranks. Video: Men kneel in a field, readied for enemy advance. An army medic looks down and gestures for help.
Narrative: General Lee arrived after a worried ride from Chambersburg. After observing the battle, Lee realized a Confederate sweep could win the day. After ferocious and bloody fighting, Heth's men made it over the crest to MacPhearson's Ridge. Video: A Confederate general looks pensively towards the battlefield. Troops advance across a field. Two men help a wounded soldier across a field. Troops advance further across a field.
Narrative: While the first engagement of the Battle of Gettysburg ended with the Union forces being pushed back, Lee and his contingent failed to ultimately capitalize on the Confederate success of the first contact. Video: Men on horseback quietly watch the battlefield from a vantage point.
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