The Second Day at Gettysburg: Essays on Confederate and Union Leadership

This book is the second of a three-volume collection of essays edited and introduced by Gary Gallagher that explore leadership and other critical issues during each of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. On the first day of the Battle, elements of the Union and Confederate armies collided to the North and West of Gettysburg with the result that the Union Army was pushed back to a strong position on Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge to the South and East of the town. The five essays in this volume explore important and controversial actions in the following second day of the Battle. The first essay in the volume is by Professor Gallagher himself, "If the Enemy is There, we must attack him." This essay explores an underlying issue of the entire battle -- Confederate commander Robert E. Lee's decision to assume the offensive on July 2 and to attack the powerful Union position. General Lee's decision was opposed at the time and for many years thereafter by General James Longstree, Lee's primary subordinate. Longstreet favored a movement around the right of the Union army. Other options that Lee might have considered include assuming a defensive posture and awaiting a Union attack. Professor Gallagher explores each of these options and comes to a measured assessment of Lee's decision. The second essay "The Peach Orchard Revisited: Daniel E. Sickles and the Third Corps on July 2, 1863" is by William Robertson, Professor at the Combat Studies Institute, U.S. Army. Professor Robertson examines the decision of Union General Dan Sickles, commander of the Third Corps of the Army, to move his Corps from the position that Union Commander George Meade assigned to it on Cemetery Ridge to a salient about 3/4 mile in front of the Union line. Controversy has raged over the years over the wisdom and effect of Sickles's unauthorized move on the result of the Battle. Professor Robertson makes an excellent attempt to examine this issue afresh. He concludes, probably contrary to the opinion of most students of the Battle, that Sickle's move had a great deal to commend it, even though Professor Robertson is highly critical of Sickles's failure to coordinate his action with Meade. The third essay, "If Longstreet Says so it is most likely not true" by Robert Krick, a biographer of Stonewall Jackson, is polemical in character. It is highly critical of the role Longstreet played in the events of Gettysburg, particularly on the second day. Most of this essay is a discussion of various statements of other Southern leaders critical of Longstreet and a criticism of Longstreet's actions at places other than Gettysburg. A more careful examination of Longstreet's actions during the second day of the Battle itself would have been welcome. The fourth essay, " A Step All-Important and Essential to Victory": Henry W. Slocum and the Twelfth Corps on July 1-2, 1863" is by A. Wilson Greene, executive director of the Association for the Preservation of C

Gary Gallagher has brought together the 2nd Day at Gettysburg in a format similar to his 1st Day book in regards to Union and Confederate leadership. This 2nd Day book offers insight to popular questions and accusations made towards officers involved in various battles during the second day of events. As with other publications by Gallagher, Gallagher teams up with other noted historians in a series of chapters that offer their viewpoints to popular battles during the 2nd Day. Gary Gallagher takes on the tough task of questions that arise to Lee?s decisions to attack in the early morning of July 2nd, 1863 while William Glenn Robertson tries to answer questions in regards to Daniel Sickle?s 3rd Corps movements. Robertson defines Sickle?s with great biography to paint a picture of a man whose military leadership is often backed by political tension and propaganda. Robertson does a fine job in looking at Sickle?s reasons for moving the 3rd Corps and also Meade?s reaction to such positioning. As the book continues Robert Krick looks at General James Longstreet and tries to answer questions as to why this general was slow to react to Lee?s orders on the 2nd how others around the man were upset with his sluggish approach to handling the 2nd day affairs. Krick points out key elements to Longstreet?s decision making as it was typical of the commander to be defensive and stubborn throughout the Civil War. It was interesting to read Krick?s views on Longstreet?s career and how Longstreet handled southern verbal attacks made against him for years after the war.Wilson Greene brought on his chapter in regards to Howard Slocum?s defense of Culp?s Hill. Greene initially captured the flavor of Slocum though soon ran into a lengthy discussion of Culp?s Hill deployment and battle which did not seem to compliment this chapter?s basis of discussion. I felt it painted a good picture of the events though didn?t associate with enough impact to Slocum. Slocum I felt became a less-than central figure in the discussion which seemed to lessen the importance of titling the chapter ?Henry J. Slocum and the Twelfth Corps on July 1-2, 1863.? I was disappointed with this chapter.Scott Hartwig brought on a very intriguing and worthwhile chapter in regards to the Wheatfield which centered on General Caldwell and his command. This was a very refreshing chapter after being bored with Green?s Slocum chapter. Hartwig wanted to show that Sickle?s blunder had brought about chaos and confusion for other commanders such as Caldwell. Over years Caldwell has taken much blame for his rigid task at hand at the Wheatfield conflict in the 2nd. Hartwig defines the movments and executions carefully with maps and thorough research making this chapter probably the best written of all. It reads well and also shows that Caldwell had a huge undertaking thrust upon him that afternoon on the 2nd and respectively handled a burdensome task.This book is a great read for those looking to d

An excellent, thoughtful work for the serious student or researcher. Gallegher seems to have made something of a cottage industry of these edited collections of late, but he does it well. Probably not of much use, however, unless one has a good overall view of the second day, for which I'd recommend Pfanz's work.