An Admirable Account of the Opening Day at Gettysburg

Trying to narrow an assessment of any multi-day battle down to a single day can be a daunting task, and Gettysburg might be among the foremost challenges in that regard. James A. Hessler succeeds admirably at such an undertaking in The First Day at Gettysburg, incorporating a number of strong features in his book.

Several aspects of his scholarship facilitate Hessler’s endeavor. While not unique, his chronological breakdown of the fighting is logical, and he frames each section of the battle in an easy-to-understand and-follow context. This attribute is facilitated by an excellent collection of well-placed maps, each down to the regimental level, with movements clearly depicted as they are presented in the book itself.

Additionally, a continual theme throughout Hessler’s work is an emphasis and consistent assessment of leadership on both sides of the battle. Hessler is not shy of taking positions on some issues that are of current debate among scholars, such as MG George G. Meade’s decision-making process concerning the Federal Pipe Creek position (Hessler rejects the argument that Meade had decided for certain upon a defense of that position), and the status of MG John Reynolds’ understanding of his commander’s intent (for Hessler, Reynolds was, as were most of Meade’s subordinates, relatively in the dark as to Meade’s plans). MG Oliver O. Howard receives both praise and reproach for his actions on the 1^st of July, praise for his decisive thinking upon learning of Reynolds’ death and subsequent decision to remain in position and fight, and moderate criticism for the way in which he enacted those decisions in troop placement and posture. Hessler also commends Meade, although not present at the field and not having a clear understanding of the situation on the ground, for responding rapidly to the situation as he understood it, forwarding troops and supplies to the I and XI Corps.

For the Confederates, Hessler develops and discusses the well-known challenges of Gen. Robert E. Lee leading and managing his key subordinates, particularly the new corps commanders LTGs A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell. Hessler concludes that these challenges are best ascribed to commonly accepted reasons: the lack of experience of his subordinates, Lee’s convalescence at the outset of the battle, and communication failures between the levels of leadership. As a result of these points of confusion, Lee felt that continued engagement on the following day was warranted.

Hessler should also be commended for another point which, although rather minor in the bigger picture of the battle, is of much greater significance to New York scholars of the war. The story of the 80^th New York’s (Ulster Guard) official designation is not well-known beyond the confines of the Hudson Valley. But the unit took great pride in its pre-war title as the 20^th New York State Militia, and the bureaucratic denial of that designation rankled all members of the regiment. Unofficially, soldiers in the Ulster Guards referred to themselves at the 20^th NYSM throughout the war, although such recognition did not come officially until well after Gettysburg. To Hessler’s credit, the author recognizes this issue, and refers to the unit as the 20^th, while still recognizing the official designation of the 80^th.

The First Day at Gettysburg is an excellent contribution to the overall studies of the battle itself, and Hessler should be commended for delivering a book that is concise enough to not be overwhelming, but detailed enough to provide unique insight and particular accounts of the fighting on the first day. Persons interested in Gettysburg will find much value in the work.

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Our Reviewer: Dr. Michael Boden teaches global and Civil War history at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY. A retired Army Veteran, he is a former Assistant Professor of History at West Point, and is on the Board of Trustees of the Dutchess County Historical Society, where he is currently researching the history of the county's Soldiers in the Civil War. He previously reviewed Such a Clash of Arms: The Maryland Campaign, September 1862, No Sacrifice too Great, and Russia’s Turkish Wars.

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Note: The First Day at Gettysburg is also available in e-editions.

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