The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863

The summer of 1863 started off disastrously for the Army of the Potomac in the Eastern Theater. In early May, Confederate General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia defeated and humiliated Major General Joseph Hookers army at the Battle of Chancellorsville. While both armies reorganized in the wake of Chancellorsvilles massive losses, Lee then maintained the initiative and launched an invasion of Pennsylvania. Throughout June, Lees army advanced deeper into Pennsylvania and Northern efforts to stop his progress were ineffective until Major General George Meade replaced Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac. On July 1, 1863, Meade and Lees large armies collided outside of the crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The stakes were never higher for either army as the newly promoted Meade defended Northern soil, while General Lee risked everything by taking the war into enemy territory. The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg is often overshadowed by fighting on the following days, but July 1 was one of the bloodiest single engagements of the entire Civil War. Many of the decisions leading to and through Gettysburgs first day remain steeped in controversy. Did Meade intend to fight on the Pipe Creek line in Maryland until subordinates such as Major General John Reynolds forced the engagement at Gettysburg? Did the absence of J. E. B. Stuarts cavalry really leave Lee blind to his opponents movements? Was Lees desire to avoid a general engagement ignored by his own officers? With neither commanding general on the battlefield for much of the day, crucial decisions remained in the hands of subordinates such as John Buford, John Reynolds, A. P. Hill, Richard Ewell, and Oliver Howard. This Casemate Illustrated volume sets the stage for the Civil Wars greatest battle and covers the heroism, decisions, and mistakes made on the first day at Gettysburg. See more