Dan Sickles, Union Savior?

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members,

I have had purchased new DVDs on Gettysburg and one; Horses of Gettysburg was extremely informative. I was more enlightened by the chapter called Bigelow's Stand.

Bigelow's artillery was in reserve. When General Sickles went off on his own and ignored his orders--his lines were like swiss-cheese, where gaps were evident and Sickles did not have a reserve infantry as to plug these holes. By time General Meade returned as to re-deploy Sickles' troops (and maybe relieve Sickles of command)--the artillery of Bigelow's was sent to plug up the hole and allow Sickles' men to retreat. Well, it was a terrible time for Bigelow's artillery, as the 'salient' they had to plug up caused the Confederates to attack frontal as well on the side. The Confederate side artillery wiped out lines of men, cannons and horses.

So, Sickles drew fire on two sides due to his placement against orders--not just one.

Bigelow was wounded in this situation, and lost good men as his reserve artillery was shattered. What was worse, Sickles' did have 'his' infantry support Bigelow's artillery. They just left. Bigelow's commanding officer was shocked that Bigelow was fighting alone and without infantry support. It was a loosing effort. Bigelow was sacrificed as to buy time for Sickles' infantry. Bigelow ordered 'Retire by prolong firing.' Only two cannons were saved, majority of horses and men were lost and or wounded. They ended up in the same spot as Meade had wanted them to be positioned. To me--that proved how unnecessarily men died, horses lost and cannons also because Sickles disobeyed an order.

Bigelow's buglar Charles Reed was instrumental in saving Bigelow's life, as well as making pictures/drawings of the conflict and was nominated by Bigelow for the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal in 1895. Charles Reed's sketches of the events are in the National Archives I understand. Reed went on to sketch Yellowstone before it became a National Park.

In summary--Sickles did more harm then good. Allowing the enemy to gain 4 artillery pieces out of the total of six--is disgusting to me, especially when it is of his disobedience to his superior.


Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf

[Hanny]

Froma statastical pov, sickles Corps was 50% less efiecent at causing losses on day 2 than the AoP average for the 3 days, while Reynolds I Corps on day was 50% more effiecent than the AoP average.