Battle of Gettysburg

This series has thirteen easy 5 minute installments. This first installment: Preliminary Moves.

Introduction
About midway on the ridge running south from the village of Gettysburg where the Army of the Potomac fought its greatest battle was a small, umbrella-shaped clump of trees, which is spoken of as the high-water mark of the Rebellion, since the center of Pickett’s column in the famous charge was directed toward that point, the battle culminated in that charge, and the military efforts of the Confederate Government culminated in that battle. It was the second attempt of their strongest army to invade the Northern States. It was also the last.

The full force of the event is realized only when it is considered in connection with the fall of Vicksburg. This great battle in the East was fought in the first three days of July, and on the fourth the Confederate stronghold at the West surrendered to General Grant with nearly thirty thousand prisoners.

Much has been written of Gettysburg, the later narratives abounding in criticism, controversy, and conjecture as to what might have been done. We have chosen to present the earlier accounts of Victor and Pollard (Federal and Confederate), which give all the essential facts with admirable clearness. We append Lincoln’s speech at the dedication of the cemetery because it sums up the significance of the battle and the war as a whole.

The selections are from:

• History of the Southern Rebellion by Orville J. Victor published in 1898.
• The Lost Cause by Edward A. Pollard published in 1866.
• The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln delivered in 1863.

For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Summary of daily installments:

We begin with Orville J. Victor (1827-1910). He wrote two books on the Civil War while it was still being fought.

Time: July 1-3, 1863
Place: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Never was a commander suddenly called to a graver responsibility than fell to the lot of General George G. Meade. A quiet, undemonstrative person, the contrast of Hooker in temper and personal bearing, his choice for the succession was surprising. Whatever the prompting motive, the selection was, to a certain degree, fortunate, since, with most of the corps commanders, his relations were those of professional confidence. Fewer personal animosities were excited by his promotion than had been caused by previous changes in the army’s control. His assumption of command was followed by no change in Hooker’s general disposition. On the contrary, having the power, he ordered the abandonment of Maryland Heights, and French’s brigades ere long contributed to his field strength. He was further sustained by having all forces operating against Lee made tributary to his orders. Even from the defenses of Washington a few more men were spared to augment the efficiency of his columns.

His plan, as communicated to the General-in-Chief, was:

To move my army as promptly as possible on the main lines from Frederick to Harrisburg, extending my wings on both sides of that line as far as I could consistently with the safety and rapid concentration of that army, and to continue that movement until I either encountered the enemy or had reason to believe that the enemy was about to advance upon me; my object being at all hazards to compel him to loose his hold on the Susquehanna and meet me in battle at some point.”

Only a day was lost. On June 29th the columns were put in motion up the Monocacy Valley toward Gettysburg, preceded by Buford’s and Kilpatrick’s cavalry divisions, which Hooker, before retiring, had thrown forward, as a prelude to his advance on the same line.

On the same day the enemy released “his hold on the Susquehanna.” Informed, on the 28th, of Hooker’s intended de scent on the line of his retreat, Lee suddenly changed his order of march upon Harrisburg to a retrograde; by securing a footing east of the South Mountain range, he hoped to keep open his imperiled communications. Ewell was then in occupancy of Carlisle and York; Longstreet and Hill were at or near Chambers burg. The three corps were directed to concentrate at Gettys burg; and on the 29th were en-route to that important point.

Buford, reaching Gettysburg on the evening of the 30th, he pushed out reconnaissance’s on the roads leading north and west. He then ascertained that the Confederates were marching toward that point, their columns having already reached Cashtown, on the Chambersburg road, and Heildersburg, on the Carlisle road. Of this Meade was at once informed. His advance, at that moment, had reached Taneytown and vicinity, though General Reynolds, with the First and Eleventh corps, had approached within four miles of Gettysburg, with orders to occupy the town on the following morning. Meade’s want of correct knowledge, both of the topography of the country and of the enemy’s designs, led him to locate a temporary line, stretching from Middleburg to Manchester (Pipe Creek), considering it a good one for general battle, should it be Lee’s design to advance upon him. Behind this line he ordered the trains, and the several corps were directed to be put in the lightest possible condition. The Federal disposition on the night of the 30th was: headquarters at Taneytown; Third Corps at Summitsburg; Second, at Taney town; Fifth, at Hanover; Sixth, at Manchester; Twelfth, at Two Taverns; First and Eleventh, advanced upon Gettysburg, at Marsh Run. Kilpatrick’s cavalry were observing on the east beyond Hanover Junction.

On the morning of July 1st the advance of Hill’s corps struck Buford’s lines at Willoughby Run, a mile or more northwest of Gettysburg. A sharp skirmishing fight at once followed, Buford resolving to hold the enemy there until the infantry should come up. Reynolds, hearing the sounds of battle, hurried forward the First division (Wadsworth’s) of the First Corps, with orders for the other divisions of First and Eleventh corps to follow. The advancing division reached the point of conflict at 10 A.M. It was found that the enemy were still beyond the second of the two ridges lying west of Gettysburg; the first, or Seminary Ridge, being one-half mile, and the second one mile and a half, distant from the town. At the base of the second flowed Willoughby Run, along whose banks, and on the western declivity, Heth’s division, of Hill’s corps, was formed. Reynolds appears to have resolved upon delaying the Confederate advance at that point. As the Federal army lay from seven to thirty-two miles away, it was absolutely imperative, if the heights of Gettys burg were retained, that the Confederates should be held where they were for a day.

Wadsworth’s two brigades were quickly disposed for action. Cutler’s five regiments were on the right and left of the Chambers burg turnpike, as well as using for cover the embankment and “cuts” of a then unfinished railway running parallel with and close to the highway. Hall’s Maine battery was placed between these roads, sustained by three regiments under Wadsworth’s direct command, which constituted the extreme Federal right; while Reynolds in person directed the disposition of the other two regiments to the left of the road. The second brigade — Meredith’s “Iron Brigade”—under General Doubleday’s direction, was assigned to the Federal left, covering the road from Millers town, and occupying a strip of woods into which the enemy already had penetrated.

The enemy opened fire sharply on the forming lines, and while directing the disposition on the right General Reynolds was killed. Davis’s Mississippians, advancing over the run, turned Wadsworth’s three regiments, which, after a severe fight, were withdrawn by way of the turnpike, to re-form under the lee of Seminary Ridge. This retirement left the battery unsupported, and it was retired after severe loss. The two regiments under Cutler were thus exposed to a flank assault. Seeing this, Double day ordered in his reserve regiment (Sixth Wisconsin), and the three regiments, facing about, charged upon the Mississippians, then forming along the railway for a charge. This movement, executed with celerity and intrepidity, was so much of a surprise to the enemy that, after a short conflict, nearly two entire regiments, with their colors, were captured.

Orville J. Victor begins here. Edward A. Pollard begins here. Abraham Lincoln begins here.

More information here and here, and below.

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