The ‘Historicus’ Account of the Battle of Gettysburg

In an attempt to manage the narrative of the events at Gettysburg on the afternoon of July 2, an anonymous letter appeared in the March 12, 1864, edition of the New York Herald, exaggerating and misinterpreting Dan Sickles' role in the battle.

Words: Anonymous

From: New York Herald, March 12, 1864

Setting the Stage

General Sickles's confusion on July 1 was entirely justified. During the chaotic first day of battle, he received conflicting orders from Meade, Hancock and Howard. However, he also had a clear directive from Reynolds (shown above) to move toward Gettysburg. Given that he heard the sounds of battle beginning there, it is understandable that he chose to “move toward the sound of the guns.”

The Battle of Gettysburg is the decisive battle of this war. It not only saved the North from invasion, but turned the tide of victory in our favor. The opinion of Europe on the failure of the rebellion dates from this great conflict. How essential, then, that its real history should be known. Up to this moment no clear narrative has appeared. The sketches of the press, the reports of Generals Halleck and Meade, and the oration of Mr. Everett, give only phases of this terrible struggle, and that not very correctly. To supply this hiatus, I send you a connected, and, I hope, lucid review of its main features. I have not ventured to touch on the thrilling incidents and affecting details of such a strife, but have confined myself to a succinct relation of its principal events and the actors therein. My only motive is to vindicate history, do honor to the fallen, and justice to the survivors when unfairly impeached.“

General Meade took command of the Army of the Potomac on Sunday, the 28th of June, at Frederick, Md. On Monday, as he states, the army was put in motion, and by Tuesday night the right flank had reached Manchester and the left occupied Emmitsburg. General Buford’s cavalry had advanced as far as Gettysburg, and reported that the Confederate army was debouching from the mountains, on the Cashtown road. Upon this intelligence, General Reynolds was ordered to advance on Gettysburg with the First and Eleventh Corps, which he reached early on the 1st of July, and found Buford’s cavalry already engaged with the enemy — the corps of General Hill. Rapidly making his dispositions, General Reynolds joined in the conflict, and soon fell, mortally wounded. 

The command of the field then devolved on General Howard, of the Eleventh Corps, who maintained his position till about 2 p. m., when the enemy was heavily reinforced by the arrival of Ewell’s corps. The battle now raged fearfully, between Hill’s and Ewell’s corps on one side and the First and Eleventh Corps on the other, till about 4 p. m., when General Howard was compelled to yield to the superior numbers of the enemy, and fall back (losing many prisoners—nearly 4,000) to the south side of Gettysburg. His position was eminently critical, when, to the great relief of both the general and our valiant troops, a division of the Third Corps, under the immediate command of General Sickles, arrived, and the fighting for that day was at an end. It should be mentioned that the Third Corps was stationed at Emmitsburg, by order of General Meade, with a view to protect that important point; but information continuing to reach General Sickles that the First and Eleventh Corps were in great danger, he decided to assume the grave responsibility of moving to their relief without orders. Leaving two brigades at Emmitsburg, he made a forced march of 10 miles, in spite of the heat and dust, in three hours, and had the satisfaction to be hailed by General Howard, on his reaching the field, with the flattering phrase, "Here you are, general, always reliable, always first,” a generous tribute from one soldier to another.

General Slocum, of the Twelfth Corps, had arrived a short time before, but his corps was then some 4 miles distant. In the early part of the evening (Wednesday), a conference of the leading generals took place, when some insisted on falling back toward Taneytown, while others urged the expediency of maintaining their present position as offering rare advantages for the inevitable and decisive contest that must occur on the following day. It appears that General Meade had issued a circular (of which I saw several copies) on the morning of Wednesday, July 1, to all his corps commanders, stating that his advance had accomplished all the objects contemplated, namely, the relief of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and that he would now desist altogether from the offensive. He proposed to post the whole army in line of battle on Pipe Creek, the right flank resting on Manchester and the left on Middleburg, involving an entire change of front, and there await the movements of the enemy. 

Pipe Line Circular

The "Pipe Creek Circular" outlined a plan for another potential battlefield, created with the assistance of army engineers. This was merely a contingency plan that was considered before the advance on Gettysburg. By the afternoon of July 2nd, the idea of using the Pipe Creek defensive position was no longer relevant, despite Historicus suggesting that Meade wanted to withdraw from Gettysburg.

An artistic rendition of the proposed Pipe Creek line. (Pwww.terrycpierce.com map by Aaron Matney)

The position which General Meade had selected for the final struggle between the two armies was some 15 miles distant from Gettysburg, where fate willed that it should occur. Whether this important circular ordering him to fall back reached the lamented Reynolds before he became engaged at Gettysburg, it is difficult to say. It could not have failed to reach General Sickles; but he happily determined to push on to the rescue of the First and Eleventh Corps, already engaged. It is, strange that General Meade should make no mention in his report of this singular and most important fact: that he issued a plan of campaign on Wednesday, July 1, directing his whole army to retire and take up the defensive on Pipe Creek almost at the moment that his left flank was fiercely struggling with the right wing of the enemy. This proves how often the plans of a general are frustrated by unlooked-for contingencies.

General Meade broke up his quarters at Taneytown, as he states, at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, and reached Gettysburg at 1 a.m. Thursday, July 2. Early in the morning he set to work examining the position of the various army corps. It is hardly true to say that he imitated the example of all prudent commanders on the eve of a battle, and made a complete survey of the ground he occupied.

It was on these occasions that the genius of the first Napoleon revealed itself; for at a glance he saw the advantages of his own position and the assailable point of the enemy. It seems that General Lee was somewhat more astute than Meade in this, for in his report he states what he deemed  the most favorable point for his attack. “In front of General Longstreet” (opposite our left wing), Lee remarks, “the enemy held a position from which, if he could be driven, it was thought our army could be used to advantage in assailing the more elevated ground beyond, and thus enable us to reach the crest of the ridge. That officer, then, was directed to carry this position." It is plain enough that Lee regarded the point where our left was posted as the key to our position, and if that could be taken from us our defeat was inevitable. It is not to be supposed that General Meade refused to see this; but as he makes no mention of it in his report, I propose, for the sake of the future historian of the battle, to tell what I know about it.

Meade’s Survey

Arriving at Gettysburg shortly after midnight on July 2, Meade and his staff assessed the Union position south of the town. Accompanied by engineer Captain W.H. Paine, Meade rode along Cemetery Ridge at dawn, extending his examination as far south as Little Round Top. Captain Paine sketched the proposed positions for each corps as they arrived on the battlefield. The map shown here is one of the sketches created by Captain Paine. That morning, Sickles' Third Corps was ordered to occupy positions on the north slope of Little Round Top and extend northward to connect with the left flank of Hancock's Second Corps.

Paine map from National Archives

Near this important ground was posted the valiant Third Corps, and its commander, General Sickles, saw at once how necessary it was to occupy the elevated ground in his front toward the Emmitsburg road, and to extend his lines to the commanding eminence known as the Round Top, or Sugar Loaf hill. Unless this were done, the left and rear of our army would be in the greatest danger. Sickles concluded that no time was to be lost, as he observed the enemy massing large bodies of troops on their right (our left). Receiving  no orders, and filled with anxiety, he reported in person to General Meade, and urged the advance he deemed so essential. “ O,” said Meade, “generals are all apt to look for the attack to be made where they are." Whether this was a jest or a sneer Sickles did not stop to consider, but begged Meade to go over the ground with him instantly; but the commander-in-chief declined this on account of other duties. Yielding, however, to the prolonged solicitations of Sickles, General Meade desired General Hunt, chief of artillery, to accompany Sickles, and report the result of their reconnaissance. Hunt concurred with Sickles as to the line to be occupied—the advance line from the left of the Second Corps to the Round Top hill—but be declined to give any orders until he had reported to General Meade, remarking, however, that he (General Sickles) would doubtless receive orders immediately.

No Orders?

Although General Meade (shown left) primarily focused on the federal right flank while neglecting his left, Sickles was ordered, verbally, it seems, to extend the federal line along Cemetery Ridge. This extension required the right of the Third Corps to connect with the left of the Second Corps. (Library of Congress)

Two p. m. came, and yet no orders. Why was this? Other orders than those expected by General Sickles were, it appears, in preparation at headquarters. It has since been stated, upon unquestionable authority, that General Meade had decided upon a retreat, and that an order to withdraw from the position held by our army was penned by his chief of staff, General Butterfield, though happily its promulgation never took place. This order is probably on record in the Adjutant-General’s Office..

Meanwhile the enemy’s columns were moving rapidly around to our left and rear. These facts were again reported to headquarters, but brought no response. Buford’s cavalry had been massed on the left, covering that flank with outposts, and vignettes were thrown forward on the Emmitsburg road. While awaiting the expected orders, Sickles made good use of his time in leveling all the fences and stone walls, so as to facilitate the movements of his troops and to favor the operations of the cavalry. What, then, was the surprise of Sickles to see of a sudden all the cavalry withdrawn, leaving his flank entirely exposed! He sent an earnest remonstrance to General Meade, whose reply was that he did not intend to withdraw the cavalry, and that a part of this division (Buford’s) should be sent back. It never returned. Under these circumstances, Sickles threw forward three regiments of light troops as skirmishers and for outpost duty.

Did Meade Want to Withdraw?

Historicus mischaracterizes General Meade's disposition once again. In his quest to be fully informed and prepared for all contingencies, Meade instructed his chief of staff, Dan Butterfield (shown left) late in the morning on July 2 to familiarize himself with the positions and road systems both to the front and rear. However, Butterfield misunderstood this assignment as a request to prepare a formal retreat. (Creative Commons)

The critical moment had now arrived. The enemy’s movements indicated their purpose to seize the Round Top hill; and this in their possession, General Longstreet would have had easy work in cutting up our left wing. To prevent this disaster, Sickles waited no longer for orders from General Meade, but directed General Hobart Ward’s brigade and Smith’s battery (Fourth New York) to secure that vital position, and at the same time advancing his line of battle about 300 yards, so as to hold the crest in his front, he extended his left to support Ward and cover the threatened rear of the army.

Occupying Little Round Top

General Sickles' advance did not include Little Round Top, despite Historicus' claim that it did. Sickles' new left flank was anchored to protect Devil's Den. It wasn't until later, with the arrival of elements from the Fifth Corps, that Little Round Top was occupied, except for signal station officers. (Library of Congress)

These dispositions were made in the very face of the enemy, who were advancing in columns of attack, and Sickles dreaded lest the conflict should open before his dispositions were completed. At this juncture he was summoned to report in person at headquarters, to attend a council of corps commanders. His preparations were of such moment and the attack so near, that General Sickles delayed attending the council, while giving all his attention to the carrying out of his orders.

A second peremptory summons came from General Meade, and, leaving his unfinished task to the active supervision of General Birney and General Humphreys, Sickles rode off to the rear to headquarters. Before he had reached there, the sound of cannon announced that the battle had begun. Hastening rapidly on, he was met by General Meade at the door of his quarters, who said, “General, I will not ask you to dismount; the enemy are engaging your front; the council is over.” It was an unfortunate moment, as it proved, for a council of war. Sickles, putting spurs to his horse, flew back to his command, and, finding that Graham’s brigade was not advanced as far as he desired, he was pushing that brigade and a battery forward about 100 yards, when General Meade at length arrived on the field. The following colloquy ensued, which I gathered from several officers present: “Are you not too much extended general?” said Meade. “Can you hold this front?” “Yes,” replied Sickles, “until more troops are brought up; the enemy are attacking in force, and I shall need support.” General Meade then let drop some remark showing that his mind was still wavering as to the extent of ground covered by the Third Corps. Sickles replied, “General, I have received no orders. I have made these dispositions to the best of my judgment. Of course, I shall be happy to modify them according to your views.” “No,” said Meade, “I will send you the Fifth Corps, and you may send for support from the Second Corps.” “ I shall need more artillery,” added Sickles. “Send to the Artillery Reserve for all you want,” replied Meade; “I will direct General Hunt to send you all you ask for.” The conference was then abruptly terminated by a heavy shower of shells, probably directed at the group, and General Meade rode off. Sickles received no further orders that day.

Meade-Sickles Meeting

George Meade described this encounter with Sickles occurring during an inspection of his lines. Edwin Coddington, author of the definitive account of the battle, splits the difference and suggests they met halfway after Sickles was summoned to army headquarters. (Library of Congress)

There is no doubt, I may venture to add, that Sickles’ line was too much extended for the number of troops under his command; but his great aim was to prevent the enemy getting between his flank and the Round Top alluded to. This was worth the risk, in his opinion, of momentarily weakening his lines. The contest now going on was of the most fierce and sanguinary description. The entire right wing of the enemy was concentrated on the devoted Third Corps; for the object of Lee, as he states, was “to carry’’ the ground which Sickles occupied, and which both generals evidently regarded as of the highest importance. While this terrific combat was raging on our left, Lee ordered Ewell to attack "our right wing and Hill to threaten” our center, both with the object, as he says in his report, to divert re-enforcements from reaching our left, which, as we have seen, Longstreet was directed to carry.” Well may General Meade in his report say, "the Third Corps sustained the shock most heroically," for they fought like lions, against tremendous odds, for nearly an hour before the Fifth Corps, under Sykes, came up, who was immediately put in position by General Sickles to the left of the Third Corps, and General Sykes was desired to relieve Ward’s brigade and Smith’s battery on the Round Top, and hold the line from thence to Birney’s left (First Division, Third Corps). Strange to say, this movement was not promptly carried out, and there was imminent danger of losing the Round Top, for Longstreet was making desperate exertions to “carry it.”

Fearing this result, Sickles sent orders to General Crawford, of the Fifth Corps, to reinforce Ward’s brigade; but he declined to move without orders from his own corps commander, Sykes; but Captain [Alexander] Moore, of Sickles’ staff, at length overcame his scruples, and he reached the disputed point just in time to prevent its falling into the enemy’s hands. Considering our force unequal to the exigency, Sickles called on the heroic troops of the Second Corps for support, and they gave it with a will. The struggle now became deadly. The columns of Longstreet charged with reckless fury upon our troops; but they were met with a valor and stern fortitude that defied their utmost efforts. An alarming incident, however, occurred. Barnes’ division, of the Fifth Corps, suddenly gave way; And Sickles, seeing this, put a battery in position to check the enemy if he broke through this gap on our fronts and General Birney was sent to order Barnes back into line. "No,” he said; "impossible. It is too hot. My men cannot stand it.”

Remonstrance was unavailing, and Sickles dispatched his aides to bring up any troops they met to fill this blank. Major [Henry E.J. Tremain, of his staff, fell in with General Zook, at the head or his brigade (Second Corps), and this gallant officer instantly volunteered to take Barnes’ place. When they reached the ground, Barnes’ disordered troops impeded the advance of the brigade. “If yon can’t get out of the way,” cried Zook, “lie down, and I will march over you.” Barnes ordered his men to lie down, and the chivalric Zook and his splendid brigade, under the personal direction of General Birney, did march over them and right into the breach. Alas! poor Zook soon fell, mortally wounded, and half of his brigade perished with him. It was about this time—near 7 p. m.—that Sickles was struck by a cannonball that tore off his right leg, and he was borne from the field.

The 5th Corps to the Rescue

Like most of Historicus' accusations, the claims against the Fifth Corps bear little to reality. deployed piecemeal on july 2, the fifth corps fought bravely shoring up the left flank in gaps left by sickles. The Second and Fifth Corps, along with parts of the Twelfth, took the place of the struggling Third Corps instead of supporting it. Following the publication of the letter in the Herald, at least three replies were issued to clarify the record regarding the Fifth Corps. (Library of Congress)

It was now pretty clear that General Meade had awakened to the fact which he treated with such indifference when pressed on him by Sickles in the morning—that one left was the assailable point, if not the key to our position, for he began to pour in reinforcements whose presence in the beginning of the action would have saved thousands of lives. “Perceiving great exertions on the part of the enemy,” says Meade’s report, “the Sixth Corps (Sedgwick’s) and part of the First Corps (Newton’s), Lockwood’s Maryland brigade, together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up at different periods, and succeeded, together with the gallant resistance of the Fifth Corps, in checking and finally repulsing the assault of the enemy, who retired in confusion and disorder about sunset, and ceased any further efforts.” If this remarkable concentration of troops was necessary, at last, to save the left of our army, it is almost incredible that the single corps of General Sickles was able to withstand the impetuous onset of Longstreet’s legions for nearly an hour before any succor reached it. On Friday, July 3, the enemy renewed their efforts to carry out the original design of Lee by overthrowing our left wing, and Longstreet was reinforced by Pickett’s three brigades, and further supported by one division and two brigades from Hill’s corps.
In addition to this heavy mass of infantry, the entire artillery of the rebel army was concentrated against our left. After his oversight of the day before, it may be supposed that General Meade was better prepared to defend his left, and had made adequate preparations. About 1 p. m. the enemy opened a furious cannonade upon our left and left center, which continued some two hours, with occasional responses from us. At about 3 p. m. the enemy moved forward in column, and once more essayed to carry our position on the left. It was during this conflict that General Hancock, commander of the Second Corps, a gallant soldier and accomplished officer, was wounded by a musket ball and obliged to retire. He contributed greatly bv his energy and valor to the success of the day. Meanwhile our artillery opened with vigor, and inflicted great damage. After a severe and prolonged struggle, the enemy at length fell back, and abandoned the contest. “Owing to the strength of the enemy’s position,” says Lee’s report, “and the reduction of our ammunition, a renewal of the engagement could not be hazarded.” Hence it is plain that our good fortune in preserving our position on the left gave us the victory at Gettysburg and yet General Meade, not having sufficiently examined the ground before the battle, disregarded the repeated warnings of that sagacious officer, General Sickles, as well as the report of his own chief of artillery, General Hunt, who concurred in all the suggestions of the commander of the Third Corps.

Without meaning to do injustice to General Meade, it must be admitted that his report of this great battle is at such variance with all the statements which have appeared in the press, that it is due not only to history, but to the indomitable prowess of our heroic army, that every fact sustained by concurrent testimony should be given in order to fully establish the truth. I reserve for any suitable occasion abundant documentary evidence to support the facts furnished...[ed. The Historicus account continues on Meade's shortcomings, dealing in the pursuit of Lee following the battle, but for the sake that this is focused only on Sickle's role in the battle, we will leave it here.]