Facts About the Union and Confederate Commander’s of Gettysburg

Who were the men from both the North and South that led two armies to the fields of Gettysburg to do battle? A battle that would forever change the small town of Gettysburg and its citizens, who would carry dreadful memories with them for the rest of their lives.

Most were graduates of the United States Military Academy and some seen combat in Mexico. A few were political officers, appointed because of who they knew and had little military experience. How did they perform? Did they make sound decisions that would affect the lives of the men they commanded and affect the outcome of the battle?

Maj Gen George Gordon Meade was appointed Commander, Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863, only a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815. He attended West Point graduating 19^th out of a class of 56 in 1835. For 19 years he served as a Topographical Engineer and served in the Mexican War. Prior to the Gettysburg campaign, he was the commander of a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves. He was promoted to lead a Division, then to the commander of the 5^th Corps. Gen Meade given the short time he was in command, did a good job during the battle. He managed his reserves well, putting them in where needed at the right times. Gen Meade would continue to command the Army of the Potomac until end of the war. He would die in Philadelphia, Pa on November 6, 1872.

Maj Gen John Fulton Reynolds commanded the 1^st Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Lancaster PA on September 20, 1820. He attended West Point in 1837, graduating 26^th out of 50 in 1841. He served in the 3^rd US Artillery and received two brevet promotions in the Mexican War. On Aug 20, 1861 he was promoted to Brig Gen and given the command of a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves. He was assigned by Maj Gen Meade to command the left wing, 1^st, 3^rd and 11^th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. While directing units of the Iron Brigade on McPherson’s Ridge, July 1, 1863, he was shot and killed. Gen Reynolds would be the highest ranking officer killed in the battle.

Maj Gen Winfield Scott Hancock commanded the 2^nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Montgomery County, PA on February 14, 1824. He a graduated from West Point 1844 and was assigned to the 6^th U.S. Infantry. During the Mexican War, Hancock was commended for gallantry. In September, 1861 he was commissioned Brig Gen and commanded a brigade during the Peninsula and Antietam Campaigns. Just prior to the Gettysburg Battle, he was assigned to the command of the 2^nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. After Gen Reynold’s death, he was ordered by Gen Meade to go the Gettysburg and take command of the left wing. On July 2nd he took command of the line stretching from Cemetery Hill to Little Round Top. During Pickett’s Charge on July 3, he was badly wounded, but remained on the field until the outcome of the battle was decided. Gen Hancock performed outstanding on the field of battle and his efforts helped greatly in defeat of the southern army. He continued to serve in the Army until his death in Montgomery County, PA on February 9, 1886.

Maj Gen Daniel Edgar Sickles commanded the 3^rd Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in New York City, NY on October 20, 1819. Gen Sickles was a political appointed officer and did not attend the United States Military Academy. He was described as “a brilliant lawyer and politician” and had a reputation of using his powerful friends to meet his needs. In 1859, he shot and killed Phillip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key, during a jealous rage. On July 2^nd against orders, he moved the entire 3^rd Corps forward almost a mile from the line set by Gen Meade. This resulted in a disaster to the 3^rd Corps, being overrun by the attacking confederate forces. Gen Sickles had his leg shattered by a 12 pound solid cannon ball and would lose the leg. His performance during the battle cost the lives of many of his men and only the leadership of Gen’s Meade and Hancock saved his command. He would die in New York City, NY on May 3, 1914.

Maj Gen George Sykes commanded the 5^th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Dover, De, October 9^th, 1822. Graduating from West Point in 1842 he was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 3^rd U.S. Infantry. He served in the Mexican War and later in the Seminole War. Upon Gen Meade assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, Skyes was giving command of the 5^th Corps. He had a reputation and nicknames of “Tardy George” and “Slow Trot” Sykes. There is nothing in the historical record that would indicate outstanding leadership by Gen Sykes during the battle. He would go on to serve in the army until his death in Brownsville, TX on February 8, 1880.

Maj Gen John Sedgwick commanded the 6^th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Cornwall Hollow, CT, September 13, 1813. Graduating 24^th out of 50 in 1837, he fought in the Seminole’s war and was brevetted for gallantry in the Mexican War. His record in the Civil War was outstanding; he led a division on the Peninsula, was wounded at Glendale and promoted to Maj Gen. At Antietam he was wounded three times while leading his division. Arriving at Gettysburg late on July 2^nd, his units was used to support the 3^rd Corps and on July 3^rd, his units were placed where needed, so Gen Sedgwick didn’t have much to do. He was killed by a sharpshooter’s bullet at Spotsylvania Court House, Va on May 9^th 1864.

Maj Gen Oliver Otie Howard commanded the 11^th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Leeds, Me on November 8^th 1830. After graduating 4^th out of 46 in 1854, he taught math at the academy until the war started. He lost his right arm at the battle of Seven Pines, but returned to fight at Antietam. After Fredericksburg he took command of the 11^th Corps and after arriving at Gettysburg on July 1, took command of the field. His 11^th Corps had the reputation of running during battles and was flanked and retreated to Cemetery Hill. He is given credit of having the foresight holding Cemetery Hill as a reserve position, but some would argue that Gen Hancock had some say in that also. Overall, Gen Howard did a very good job given what he had to work with on July 1. Later in life he would be awarded the Medal of Honor and would die in Burlington, VT on October 26^th, 1909.

Maj Gen Henry Warner Slocum commanded the 12^th Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was born in Delphi, NY September 24, 1827. He graduated 7^th out of 43 in 1852 and in 1858, resigned his commission for private life. When the civil war started he commanded the 27th NY Vol Reg and was wounded at the 1st Bull Run battle. After the battle of Antietam, he accepted the command of the 12^th Corps. After arriving at Gettysburg on July 2, the 12^th Corps was placed on the Union’s right flank. Gen Slocum did an outstanding job and the Union’s right flank was secure. By seniority, he was the highest ranking general at Gettysburg, but he recommended Gen Meade for commander.

He would stay in the army until after the war and would die at Brooklyn, NY April 14^th, 1894.

General Robert W. Lee ,Commanding Officer, Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He was born in Westmoreland County, VA on January 19, 1807. He graduated from West Point 2^nd out of 46 in 1829 and was the only person ever to graduate without receiving any demerits. Robert E. Lee served as an engineer and fought in the Mexican War. After the Civil War broke out he resigned from the U.S. Army to serve his home state of Virginia. In 1862 he was appointed as Commander of the Confederate Army. Gen Lee did not want a fight at Gettysburg and without sound intelligence was at a disadvantage. Gettysburg was not one of Gen Lee’s best battles. Lack of communications, slowness of some of his commanders to obey his orders, resulted in attacks being made in a piecemeal fashion. He ordered an ill advised frontal attack on the middle of the union’s line on July 3^rd, that failed and resulted in heavy casualties, Gen Lee was forced to retreat. Gen Lee would continue to lead the confederate army until his surrender in April 1865. He would die in Lexington, VA on October 12^th 1870.

Lt Gen James Longstreet commanded the 1^st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He was born in Edgefield, SC, on January 8^th, 1821. Graduating 54^th out of 62 in 1842, he would later be wounded in the Mexican War at the battle of Chapultepec. Gen Longstreet was Gen Lee’s second in command and Gen Lee would refer to him as “my old warhorse”. His performance at Gettysburg is somewhat suspect. He wanted to fight a defensive rather than an offensive battle. Lee ordered him to attack up Emmitsburg Rd, he argued to move around Union’s flank and get between them and Washington. Lee wanted the attack to take place early but Longstreet did not get going until around 4 PM. The outcome would probably have been different if an early attack was made before the union’s line was reinforced. On July 3^rd Lee ordered an attack on the union’s center and Longstreet delayed making the attack later than what Gen Lee wanted. Gen Longstreet would continue to serve the southern cause until the end of the war. He would die in Gainesville GA on January 2, 1904.

Lt Gen Richard Stoddert Ewell commanded the 2^nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He was born in Georgetown, Washington DC on February 8, 1817. Graduating from West Point 13^th out of 42 in 1840, he would serve on the frontier for the next 20 years. During fighting at Brawner’s Farm he was wounded and lost his left leg. After Ewell’s Corps flanked the 11^th Corps on July 1, he halted his troops and did not pursue the union troops up Cemetery Hill. Lee had sent orders to Ewell to “take that hill, if practicable”, but avoid being on a general engagement. With one of his brigades not up yet, he decided not to attempt an attack, that decision has been discussed by historians since, both for and against his decision. Gen Ewell, I believed did a fair job in handling his Corps at Gettysburg. He died at Spring Hill TN, on January 25, 1872.

Lt Gen Ambrose Powell Hill commanded the 3^rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. He was born at Culpeper, VA, on November 9^th, 1825. He graduated 15^th out of 38 in 1847, he saw action against the Mexicans and Seminoles. Gen Hill had the reputation of a hard fighter, good on offense but at Fredericksburg he performed badly while on defense. After Gen Jackson’s death, he was assigned command of the new 3^rd Corps. July 1^st one of his divisions saw action and did a good job against two stubborn Union Corps. Plagued by poor health, his leadership was not a factor on July 2^nd and 3^rd, Gen Longstreet assuming tactical command of part of his Corps. His performance at Gettysburg leaves something to be desired and must have been a disappointment to Gen Lee, although he would never admit to it. On April 2, 1865 he was killed when the Union 6^th Corps broke his lines at Petersburg, just one week before Gen Lee’s surrender.

The Battle of Gettysburg has many “what ifs”. What if Gen Jackson was alive and in command at Gettysburg? What if Gen Ewell would continue to attack Cemetery Hill? What if Gen Lee would have given a direct order for Longstreet to attack in the morning of July 2^nd? These are just a few of events that could have changed the outcome of the battle.

Some commanders performed well, some not so well. There were many factors that could and did influence decisions made by individual commanders. Health is a least two was a factor, Lee and Hill. Attitude of Longstreet and Sickles caused them to do what they did.

History was made by these men and the men they commanded. Let us never forget what they did in and around a small town in rural town in Pennsylvania called Gettysburg.