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GETTYSBURG, Pa., -- Maj. Gen. John Buford, commander of 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, fired the first shot on the morning of July 1, 1863, which began the largest battle ever to be fought in the Civil War and consequently the largest battle in Northern America.
Being a cavalry unit, leaders of the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, learn the history of the Battle of Gettysburg and the role the cavalry plays in it.
Lt. Col. Brian Flood, commander of 5-73rd, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, and Sgt. 1st Class Allen York, operations non-commissioned officer, Headquarter and Headquarters Troop, 5-73rd, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, lead a staff ride through a three-day tour of the Battle of Gettysburg.
The majority of the leaders in this excursion have never participated in a staff ride or been to Gettysburg before.
“This is the first time we’ve taken the unit’s leaders to Gettysburg or any battlefield,” said Flood. “We wanted to have a leaders’ experience away from Fort Bragg to bring out some lessons from that battle that relate to what we’re doing today.”
While York led the tour and recounted nearly all of the history of the battle, other select leaders also gave small lessons throughout the three-day tour.
Command and control, medical care, and the integration of artillery fire and infantry are some of the lessons to be covered, said Flood.
The staff ride is a training event used to strengthen the cohesiveness of leadership, using historical events to teach history and to learn lessons.
“It’s a terrific opportunity for the leadership of the squadron to bond as a team within the team,” said York. “How the infantry and cavalry worked together here on the first day of the battle is a terrific lesson for our leaders to carry back to their soldiers.”
On the first day of the battle, Buford and his cavalry accomplish an amazing feat by holding off the Confederate troops for more than five and a half hours.
Buford and his cavalry were buying time until the Union infantry could show up.
York said it’s not the mission of the cavalry to win the battle, but to shape the battle and disrupt the plans of the enemy.
York said by observing and studying the actions of past leaders, it can provide present leaders with different tools they can incorporate in their own leadership style.
“Leadership lessons are never dated,” said York. “As a soldier I feel that you have to have a strong appreciation and understanding for your history.”
While touring the Battle of Gettysburg, 2nd Lt. P.J. Sullivan, platoon leader of 3rd platoon, Troop A, 5-73 Cav., 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, gains a better under-standing of the cavalry’s role in the Civil War.
The most striking thing to learn was about the first day of the battle and how long the cavalry was able to hold their ground, said Sullivan.
This feat was atypical for a cavalry unit, simply because they had been used as messengers, carriers and escorts in the past.
“Being a cavalry unit, it’s been stressed to us the role of the cavalry as security and reconnaissance. Buford and his cavalry’s actions that first day reinforce how much of a difference we can make shaping the battle,” added Sullivan.
When the Battle of Gettysburg finally ended there were over 47,000 American casualties.
Sullivan said it’s good to look at the sacrifices made and the staggering number of casualties and use it for inspiration for the job that we do.
“There’s no substitute for actually standing on the ground and gaining the perspective of those that actually fought the battle,” said York.
Each day the leaders are taken to different cites of the battle, walking the terrain and observing the obstacles both sides faced.
As 1st Sgt. William Lillie of Troop A, 5-73rd Cav., 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, tours the battlefield of Gettysburg; he gets a better perspective of the decisions made during the battle.
“Seeing the terrain of the battlefield instead of reading about it, makes the decisions the generals made make more sense,” said Lillie.
Soldiers of the Civil War had to walk 15 or more miles a day in long-sleeved wool uniforms and then immediately engage the enemy in battle.
“You realize how hard it was for these guys,” said Lillie.
Lillie said he could relate to the leaders of Gettysburg and the decisions they made because they knew they were fighting for their country and fighting for what they believed in.
“We go to Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re fighting for what we believe in,” said Lillie.
After York or other select leaders give their lesson, the group is released and is able to discuss what they have just learned.
Lillie said being able to discuss the decisions made during the Battle of Gettysburg, opens up discussions on the bravery of the cavalry and the soldiers. We are able to relate it to our own experiences in combat, enforcing the bonds of camaraderie.
Closing day three of the tour, Flood encourages his leaders to take their own troops out and enlighten them with other lessons learned, “lessons that are timeless.”
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2010 14:50 |
| Story ID: | 57137 |
| Location: | GETTYSBURG, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 728 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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