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Turning Point of the War Trivia Quiz

The Battle of Gettysburg is considered by most historians to be the turning point of the American Civil War. This quiz covers some of the more specific details of that famous battle.

A multiple-choice quiz by oracleinvein. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
oracleinvein

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
279,144

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
3493

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 67 (9/10), midaeu3 (9/10), Guest 173 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The battle opened with Gen. John Buford's brigades delaying the Confederates advancing toward Gettysburg. Which of these brigades was NOT among them? Hint

All were present

Gamble's Brigade

Merritt's Brigade

Devin's Brigade

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Abner Doubleday assumed command of Reynolds' I Corps on July 1. Why? Hint

Reynolds was very ill

Reynolds had been killed by a sharpshooter

Reynolds was hit by Confederate artillery

Meade had relieved Reynolds of his command

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Who commanded the Confederate Second Corps at Gettysburg, following the death of Stonewall Jackson? Hint

Jubal Early

R. S. Ewell

A. P. Hill

John B. Hood

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What is the term used to describe the pattern of Longstreet's attack on the Union left, on the second day of battle? Hint

salient

echelon

open order

parade ground

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Question 5 of 10

5. On the afternoon of July 2, the Union left was in great danger. Why? Hint

The commanding general had been killed

Confederate cavalry had arrived behind the position

Its retreat route had been cut off

A general had moved his men out of position

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What was the effect of the massive Confederate artillery barrage which preceded Pickett's Charge on July 3? Hint

The Union troops withdrew to a safer position

Most of the Union artillery was driven away or destroyed

There were no major effects

The Union suffered considerable losses

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Confederate general Lewis Armistead and Union general Winfield Hancock were both wounded during Pickett's Charge. Who survived the engagement? Hint

Hancock

both survived

Armistead

neither survived

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The failure of Pickett's Charge was reminiscent of an equally suicidal Union attack the year before. Where did this attack take place? Hint

Shiloh

Chancellorsville

Fredericksburg

First Bull Run

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. How many civilian deaths were recorded at Gettysburg? Hint

186

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is NOT commonly cited as a reason for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg? Hint

Lee's overconfidence in dangerous situations

The initial absence of J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry

A.P. Hill's refusal to participate in Pickett's Charge

Longstreet's reluctance to launch major attacks

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The battle opened with Gen. John Buford's brigades delaying the Confederates advancing toward Gettysburg. Which of these brigades was NOT among them?

Answer: Merritt's Brigade

General Weasely Merritt's brigade was designated as the Reserve Brigade and saw no action on the first day. Gamble and Devin suffered heavy casualties to buy time for the rest of the Union army to arrive.

2. Abner Doubleday assumed command of Reynolds' I Corps on July 1. Why?

Answer: Reynolds had been killed by a sharpshooter

Actually, it was Doubleday himself whom Meade relieved, due to his lasting mistrust of Doubleday's effectiveness.

3. Who commanded the Confederate Second Corps at Gettysburg, following the death of Stonewall Jackson?

Answer: R. S. Ewell

Ewell is commonly blamed for the Rebel defeat at Gettysburg, thanks to his reluctance to continue the attack on the evening of July 1.

4. What is the term used to describe the pattern of Longstreet's attack on the Union left, on the second day of battle?

Answer: echelon

"Echelon" is a formation consisting of units aligned in parallel ranks, with each unit in succession further ahead than the last. This pattern was intended to pin down the Union left while simultaneously outflanking it, but Longstreet's slowness in launching the attack allowed the Yankees to reinforce the position.

5. On the afternoon of July 2, the Union left was in great danger. Why?

Answer: A general had moved his men out of position

Union general Dan Sickles advanced his corps against orders into the peach orchard half a mile ahead of the main line. Not only did this place Sickles' men in danger, it also opened a gaping hole in the Union defenses.

6. What was the effect of the massive Confederate artillery barrage which preceded Pickett's Charge on July 3?

Answer: There were no major effects

The Confederate aim was high and the shots did little damage to the Union line. Some soldiers even reported falling asleep once they realized they were not in danger.

7. Confederate general Lewis Armistead and Union general Winfield Hancock were both wounded during Pickett's Charge. Who survived the engagement?

Answer: Hancock

Hancock and Armistead were close friends before the war and tragically found themselves fighting each other at Gettysburg. Armistead was mortally wounded by Hancock's men upon breaching the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge.

8. The failure of Pickett's Charge was reminiscent of an equally suicidal Union attack the year before. Where did this attack take place?

Answer: Fredericksburg

"Fredericksburg!" became the battle cry of the Union soldiers on July 3 once the futility of the Confederate attack became apparent.

9. How many civilian deaths were recorded at Gettysburg?

Answer: 1

Despite being the bloodiest battle to date on American soil, the Battle of Gettysburg produced only one civilian casualty- a young woman named Ginnie Wade, who was hit by a stray bullet while cutting bread.

10. Which of these is NOT commonly cited as a reason for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg?

Answer: A.P. Hill's refusal to participate in Pickett's Charge

The list of suspected Confederate blunders in the campaign is quite long. Hope you enjoyed the quiz.

Source: Author oracleinvein

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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