General William Barksdale’s Mississippi Brigade charged into history on July 2nd, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. General Barksdale, shot twice in his left leg and once through his chest, was finally unhorsed and fell as his Brigade retreated in the face of a Union counterattack. Left for dead on the field by his troops, Barksdale did not die where he fell. He was later found by Union stretcher bearers and taken to a Union aid station.
A doctor there pronounced the chest wound mortal. Barksdale was given laudanum to ease his pain and left lying on a stretcher. What happened at the aid station and what General Barksdale was reported to have said before dying the following morning are important for a variety of reasons. Research General Barksdale sources in the internet and, based what you find out, write an essay about what you think about the willingness of men like Gen. Barksdale (Jubal Early was another, like-minded Confederate general.) to accept emancipation and restoration of the Union at the end of the war. Get homework help here
