M.A. Kleen

July 2, 1863 was a day of “almosts” for the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. It had overrun one Union corps and almost turned the Union army’s left flank. If not for suicidal bravery by the 1st Minnesota, Brig. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox’s Brigade almost broke through at Cemetery Ridge. That evening, Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s Second Corps almost carried Culp’s Hill southeast of Gettysburg. And, finally, as the sun set, two brigades from Jubal A. Early’s Division assailed the eastern slope of Cemetery Hill. Despite charging into massed artillery belching canister rounds like giant shotguns, the Confederate infantry managed to swarm over the Union line. Fortunately for the hill’s beleaguered defenders, it became too dark for either side to see who they were shooting at, and, unsupported as they were, Early’s brigades withdrew back to their starting point. The second day at Gettysburg was over, and for the Confederates, it was almost a victory but not quite a defeat.