Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg
Often a character steps onto the stage of history and, no matter how scurrilous, he is of profound interest. Perhaps it is because readers of history find these people rather fascinating in a bizarre manner. Certainly, one such character is Daniel Edgar Sickles. One biographer gave him the moniker, “The Great American Scoundrel.” Another judged him, “The Congressman Who Got Away With Murder.” Whatever the appeal, Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles greatly affected the manner in which the battle of Gettysburg was fought, and he and his minions sullied the reputation of George Meade. Sickles at Gettysburg is James A. Hessler’s first book. A transplanted Buffalonian, he and his family reside in Gettysburg. Hessler, who has authored numerous articles on the Civil War, is a Licensed Battlefield Guide in addition to teaching college-level courses on the Civil War. The author has constructed a masterful and clearly written account of Sickles and his role at Gettysburg. His subtitle, “The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg,” basically summarizes the book’s content. Hessler relates all of that in this comprehensive addition to Gettysburg historiography. The first quarter of the book introduces the reader to Sickles’ very checkered antebellum career and character. The majority of the study chronicles Sickles’ military avocation, focusing on Chancellorsville and, of course, Gettysburg. Hessler next reviews what he terms, “the second battle of Gettysburg.” That was the protracted campaign by Sickles to maintain his perceived place in history as “The Hero of Gettysburg.” Hessler analyzes the reasons for the Sickles advance at Gettysburg, its ramifications, and the postwar debates, including the identity of who Hessler believes used the pseudonym “Historicus.” The concluding chapter examines the Sickles/July 2/Gettysburg literature and how General Sickles is portrayed. Hessler attempts to put a more positive spin on Sickles, reviewing the part he played in creating the National Military Park at Gettysburg and his role as chairman of the New York State Monument Commission. The author, however, concedes Sickles is remembered more for those tarnished aspects of his life. As an amoral individual who bullied his way into the spotlight of history at all costs, Sickles remains a fascinating and complex person. The primary focus of Sickles at Gettysburg is on the chaos and near catastrophic consequences of Sickles’ rash advance on July 2, which is chronicled in great detail. This very well-written study weighs the evidence from all sources. The book promotes a much clearer understanding of the events of that day, as Hessler demonstrates how Sickles dictated the battle, disrupting both Lee’s plan and Meade’s position. Six maps by cartographer/historian Bradley Gottfried accompany the text along with Civil War period and modern photographs. The author visited a great variety of sources, making use of innumerable first-hand accounts along with a command of recent Gettysburg literature. Although Hessler used 38 newspapers plus numerous primary documents, it is unfortunate he appears not to have used the Third Corps materials in the National Archives. After reading Sickles at Gettysburg, there should not be any questions concerning Sickles’ motives and actions on July 2. This is the seminal work on those matters and the postwar debate concerning the battle, and it should remain so for a long time. Sickles at Gettysburg is a must read for anyone interested in the battle of Gettysburg — it is a study of not only Sickles, but how Meade’s reputation was tarnished by Sickles and others. Reviewer: Michael Russert Michael Russert, a member of the North Shore Round Table of Long Island and the Company of Military Historians, has a MALS plus 60 hours in American Studies. He is Coordinator of The New York State Veteran Oral History Program. |
Illustrated, maps, endnotes, bibliography, index, 490 pp., 2009. Savas Beatie, 521 Fifth Ave., Suite 1700, New York, NY, $32.95 plus shipping.