Bradley M. Gottfried - Brigades Of Gettysburg: The Union And Confederate Brigades At The Battle Of Gettysburg

Copyright 2002, 2012 by Bradley M. Gottfried

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-61608-401-1

Printed in the United States of America

For Adele

Teacher-Friend-Supporter

More has been written about the battle of Gettysburg than any other battle of the Civil War. So why yet another book on the topic? Because no brigade-level accounts of the battle have been written. While most students of the battle know that the Iron Brigade fought heroically on McPherson and Seminary Ridges during July 1, few can explain what the unit did during the remainder of the battle. Yet, it played an important role in preventing Culps Hill from capture.

This book is a companion to Larry Taggs The Generals of Gettysburg. Although I arrived at my idea before Taggs book was published, it is a natural partner because each exams a unit or its commander.

This book would not have been possible without the help of a number of people. From the publishing side, Ted Savas (Savas Publishing Company) and Robert Pigeon and Fred Francis (both of Da Capo) were a constant source of support and information. The staff of the Gettysburg National Military Park library, especially John Heiser and Scott Hartwig, were very helpful, as was the staff at the United States Army Military History Institute at Carlisle.

Finally, thanks to my past secretary, Carol Hampson, who respected the privacy of my lunch breaks, allowing me to expedite the completion of the book. Most important, I want to thank my wife, Adele, and daughters, Mara and Emily, for their love and support as I plowed through this time-consuming project.

Bradley M. Gottfried
April 2002

Day 1: The Initial Infantry Encounter

Day 1: Archers Brigade Defeated by the Iron Brigade;
Cutlers Brigade Defeated by Daviss

Day 1: Rodes Divisions Initial Attacks against the Federal Right Flank

Day 1: Iverson Attacks Baxters and Cutlers Brigades

Day 1: Renewal of Confederate Attacks against the Federal Left and Center

Day 1: Doles and Gordons Brigades Attack Barlows Division on Blochers Knoll

Day 1: The Brickyard Fight

Day 1: The Confederate Attack on Seminary Ridge

Day 1: Final Attacks on Oak Ridge

Day 2: The Attacks on Little Round Top

Day 2: Hood Attacks the Wheatfield and Devils Den

Day 2: McLaws Division Attacks the Wheatfield and Stony Hill

Day 2: The Emmitsburg Road Line

Day 2: Final Action in the Valley of Death

Day 2: Andersons Division Attacks the Federal Center

Day 2: Early Attacks Cemetery Hill

Day 2: Johnsons Division Attacks Culps Hill

Day 3: The Final Attacks on Culps Hill

Day 3: The Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge

UNION BRIGADES

I CORPS

Major General John Reynolds/
Major General Abner Doubleday/
Major General John Newton

Not to be confused with the I Corps of the ill-fated Army of Virginia, Major General John Reynolds's I Corps of the Army of the Potomac was formed on September 12, 1862. The corps had the distinction of opening the battle of Antietam under General Joseph Hooker. It ran into several gritty Confederate divisions in the East Woods and Miller's cornfield and suffered horrendous losses before being withdrawn. The heavy losses continued at the battle of Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville was a reprieve for the corps, but by this point it had become a crack unit.