General Dan Sickles, Revisited

[4065921]

I am in the process of writing a significant paper on the Battle of Gettysburg that focuses specially on the ruckus on July 2nd between Longstreet and Sickles 3rd Corps. Part of the examination is to look at key moments during the battle in which decisions were made within the fog of war that caused a mismanagement of assets that would lead to deleterious results: As a disclaimer ... if any Board Mangers think this inappropriate please inform immediately, I will cease.

Matt Spruill in The Nineteen Decisions at Gettysburg, writes that as Law's brigade moved forward, it received artillery fire from the 4th New York Battery, located on the rocky plateau above Devil's Den to his left, Law ordered what were at that time his two right most regiments, the 44th and 48th, to pull out of line, pass to the left behind the other three regiments, and attack Smith's battery. The ramification of this order was that instead of three regiments attacking the 20th Main there would have been 5, with the 44th and 48th extending beyond and perhaps flanking the 20th Main. He also writes that Benning followed the 44th and 48th regiments to the left towards Devel's Den instead of Following Laws up towards the Round tops. Would two full brigades have carried Little Round Top and changed the course of action that fateful 3rd day

While carrying out this maneuver, these two regiments went too far to the left and reentered the battle line in the middle of Robertson's Brigade, which was on Law's left. The immediate consequence of this was the mixing of Robertson's and Law's Brigades, which brought on a breakdown of command and control and coordination. Part of Robertson's Brigade attacked Devil's Den with Law's two regiments, while the remainder of his brigade attacked Little Round Top. After the shifting of regiments, the two regiments, which had previously been in the left center and center of the line, were now the brigade's two right regiments. These two regiments, the Forty-seventh and Fifteenth Alabama, continued on over Big Round Top and attacked the Twentieth Maine, which was the extreme left regiment of the Union army.

any and all comments and perspectives are welcome.

 

[4065921]

Well, that went over like the proverbial Confederate observation ballon. I am focusing on the specifics now but perhaps I need to broaden the topic to get some participation. I am working on the heavily debated actions of General Sickles on day 2 and that he unwittingly foiled what should have been a successful flank attack on Meads Federals. The post above reflects one of many cause and affect actions that Sickles salient defense, while flawed in military theory, created a series of counter movements by Longstreet's Confederates that led directly to the failure of Lee's battle plan that day.

I have read other threads in this forum about Sickles but I am hoping to expand the discussion. I have done some fairly extensive research focusing on telegrams, dispatches, letters, reports of the action that day, and some articles written by the soldiers that fought on the fields.

Any interest is welcome...

 

[Chattahooch33]

How about Longstreet's order to withdraw Wofford's brigade once it had punched through the Wheat Field? They were approaching LRT and could have surrounded it but were stopped by a Longstreet that was no where near that part of the action.

Wofford's men were a group that never felt like they lost that battle.

 

[MRB1863]

A fascinating subject for study! I've often thought that one lifetime is not a sufficient stretch of time for learning as once an item is studied, the knowledge absorbed frequently stirs more questions than answers.

 

[4065921]

How about Longstreet's order to withdraw Wofford's brigade once it had punched through the Wheat Field? They were approaching LRT and could have surrounded it but were stopped by a Longstreet that was no where near that part of the action.

Wofford's men were a group that never felt like they lost that battle.

Interesting point, Wofford , with support from Kearny and Semmes sensed an opportunity for one more push that could get them into that flanking move. What Wofford could not see from his position in the low area below in Plum Run and the stony ridge was Crawfords 5th Corps massed along in front of them on Cemetery ridge. Sears states that Longstreet realized the Federals were pouring fresh troops into the battle at a rate he could no longer match, "To urge my men forward under those circumstances would have been madness."

According to Guelzo, Longstreet did ride forward with Wofford's Brigade, "urging them on by voice and personal example" so much so that British observer Arthur Freemantle was appalled that "Longstreet would expose himself in such a reckless manner... hat in hand in front of everybody."

A point that I think Longstreet had to consider in ordering the general withdraw was the fatigue factor on his Corps, partially because of Sickles positioning so far out from the main line. The Confederates, after marching for hours to get into attack position, had to battle an additional 3 hours towards their goal. A consistent theme that is repeated in many accounts of the battle is that the Confederates had spent the force of their charge against 3rd Corps advanced position and were not an effectively organized battle line by the time they reached Cemetery Ridge.

Thanks for your reply

 

[4065921]

Some may find this thread interesting, I do hope so ... I have started my thesis class and are tasked to write a 80 -120 page paper on a topic approved by the powers that be. This should be an interesting journey. I have submitted my thesis proposal and literary review with success, My topic was approved by the second reviewer whom stated;

"I've read Wible's thesis proposal and literature review, and find it a cogent if daring proposal. While I am skeptical of his argument, I am all for letting Wible go ahead and research and write his revisionist argument about Dan Sickles at Gettysburg."

So off I am ...completed the introduction, 8 ages of it , I am starting chapter 1 this weekend, the rough is due October 19. final is Sep 15. have used this board to assist in my research so far; links, reference material, discussions etc ... I Intend to use this particular thread as a sort of dairy, sounding board, or a need to flesh something out etc...

btw ... There will be a dedication to the board for the help I have already received and hope to receive in the coming months, after the one to my wife of course ;-)


Bob

 

[E_just_E]

Thesis. Cool

Want a piece of advice? Spend a few days there... Go. Walk. See. Look. Smell. And write. And go back at night and look at maps and read. Repeat a few times.

Good luck

 

[4065921]

Thesis. Cool

Want a piece of advice? Spend a few days there... Go. Walk. See. Look. Smell. And write. And go back at night and look at maps and read. Repeat a few times.

Good luck

Yep, good advice, I plan on being there Sept 18th through the 20th than again in late October or early November.

btw ... I drafted Brady for my Fantasy Football League .... starting the 3rd qtr, 3 TD and 200+plus yards .... woohoo

 

[4065921]

In doing my research I have discovered that the first military assignment for Dan Sickles was in Port Tabaco, Maryland just about 15 miles south of my current home town of Waldorf;

Sickles first assignment following the 1st Battle of Bull Run was on the lower Potomac in Maryland in Charles County.The Excelsior's' spent late 1861 posted in lower Maryland locales, such as Budds Ferry, Piscataway, and Charlotte Hall. Leading one of the campaign's numerous reconnaissance's, Sickles and a hand-picked detachment of the "huskiest and most reliable [men] that I could find" moved from Liverpool Point, Maryland, toward Stafford Court House, Virginia. Sickles later claimed he collided with two of General James Longstreet's infantry regiments, though a contemporary news account stated the opposition was comprised of 600 enemy cavalrymen. "There was a hot fight," wrote Sickles, "This was the first time that I or any of my men had been under fire. I was surprised when it was over and the Confederates had retired, evidently thinking we were the advance of a whole army. I was surprised that I had taken it so coolly. Mind you, I do9 not say this boastingly; simply as a man reviewing his sensations under certain conditions.

- Hessler, James. Sickles at Gettysburg : The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg.
- Keneally, Thomas. American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles.

Intrigued I did a search on the Historical Marker Data base and ...

So how about we supporters of Sickles gather at the marker and split a six pack ... I'm buying

 

[rpkennedy]

In doing my research I have discovered that the first military assignment for Dan Sickles was in Port Tabaco, Maryland just about 15 miles south of my current home town of Waldorf;

Sickles first assignment following the 1st Battle of Bull Run was on the lower Potomac in Maryland in Charles County.The Excelsior's' spent late 1861 posted in lower Maryland locales, such as Budds Ferry, Piscataway, and Charlotte Hall. Leading one of the campaign's numerous reconnaissance's, Sickles and a hand-picked detachment of the "huskiest and most reliable [men] that I could find" moved from Liverpool Point, Maryland, toward Stafford Court House, Virginia. Sickles later claimed he collided with two of General James Longstreet's infantry regiments, though a contemporary news account stated the opposition was comprised of 600 enemy cavalrymen. "There was a hot fight," wrote Sickles, "This was the first time that I or any of my men had been under fire. I was surprised when it was over and the Confederates had retired, evidently thinking we were the advance of a whole army. I was surprised that I had taken it so coolly. Mind you, I do9 not say this boastingly; simply as a man reviewing his sensations under certain conditions.

- Hessler, James. Sickles at Gettysburg : The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg.
- Keneally, Thomas. American Scoundrel: The Life of the Notorious Civil War General Dan Sickles.

Intrigued I did a search on the Historical Marker Data base and ...

So how about we supporters of Sickles gather at the marker and split a six pack ... I'm buying

Supporters? You may be drinking alone, my friend.

R

 

[4065921]

Supporters? You may be drinking alone, my friend.

R

Yeah, that was my weak attempt at sarcasm, hence the lone six pack ... but ... keep on open mind, read a book, ole Dan can grow on you.

So I am off on my first "official" field trip to find the General Dan Sickles historical marker and the location of his first field headquarters in Port Tobacco MD.

 

[rpkennedy]

Yeah, that was my weak attempt at sarcasm, hence the lone six pack ... but ... keep on open mind, read a book, ole Dan can grow on you.

Believe me, I'm not as hard on Sickles as a lot of people, many of whom see no redeeming qualities for the man. His actions at Gettysburg are both understandable but nearly unjustifiable.

R

 

[ole]

Hint #1: Post often. An unread thread will slide off the bottom of the page and will stay there until someone posts on it to bring it back to page one.

Hint #2: It's Ol' Dan Sickles, not Ole.

 

[Northern Light]

Yeah, that was my weak attempt at sarcasm, hence the lone six pack ... but ... keep on open mind, read a book, ole Dan can grow on you.

So I am off on my first "official" field trip to find the General Dan Sickles historical marker and the location of his first field headquarters in Port Tobacco MD.

The more I read about him, the less I like him. I look forward to your spin on his antics.

 

[4065921]

The more I read about him, the less I like him. I look forward to your spin on his antics.

As my favorite Fox News Host, Bill O'Reilly states ... this will be a "no spin" zone. For the record; I agree that Sickle's actions at Gettysburg were tactically erred; the Peach Orchard line was too long for his corps to defend, he created a salient in his line that could be attacked from multiple sides, both ends of his line were "in the air", artillery batteries left uncovered by infantry, etc …

However … Sickles was no coward … yes, he was an egoistic, self serving political hack, both armies were rife with them … but, he respected and cared for his men, they responded positively to his leadership and he fought bravely in the face of the enemy. I think he is worth an unbiased review as to his actions at Gettysburg.


btw ... I did go out to the site of the historical marker for Sickles Port Tobacco Headquarters ... "Ole"

 

[Northern Light]

As my favorite Fox News Host, Bill O'Reilly states ... this will be a "no spin" zone. For the record; I agree that Sickle's actions at Gettysburg were tactically erred; the Peach Orchard line was too long for his corps to defend, he created a salient in his line that could be attacked from multiple sides, both ends of his line were "in the air", artillery batteries left uncovered by infantry, etc …

However … Sickles was no coward … yes, he was an egoistic, self serving political hack, both armies were rife with them … but, he respected and cared for his men, they responded positively to his leadership and he fought bravely in the face of the enemy. I think he is worth an unbiased review as to his actions at Gettysburg.


btw ... I did go out to site the historical marker for Sickles Port Tobacco Headquarters ... "Ole"

View attachment 79556

Well that sucks swamp water! LOL

 

[4065921]

Ok ...Professors review of my intro is in ... "Content wise you are fine and raise a very interesting question" not exactly a bell ringing endorsement ... the introduction/thesis is actually 9 pages in itself ... I am posting one paragraph, the thesis statement, because I read a post from a very astute moderator that stated any post longer then a single paragraph tends to be left unread .... so I give you two ;

The Commander of 3rd Corps would reposition his men to a strategically unsound and indefensible position that was neither anchored nor reinforced. Sickle's lack of formal military training and deeply ingrained personal bravado would cause him to make what can only described as a reckless tactical decision. "There is little argument that General Sickles disregarded the intent of the orders given directly to him by his superior officer. However, I believe that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that General Sickles' bold action set in motion a course of events that effectively blunted the momentum of the Confederate assault on the Federal line at Cemetery Ridge and was directly responsible for the failure of Longstreet's mission to roll up the left flank of the Union Army.

It was General Sickles who correctly surmised that an attack on his position was imminent and took steps that in his discernment would most effectively address the threat that was developing to his front. Sickles action, to reposition his Corps from Cemetery Ridge to Emmetsburg Road, caused a significant disruption in the cohesiveness of the Confederate attack, so much so that Longstreet's Corps failed in its objective to turn the Union left flank. Had Sickles remained in position on Cemetery Ridge, that part of the Union Army would have crumpled under the sheer mass of more than 14,000 Confederate infantrymen. General Meade would have been forced to withdraw the Union Army from its defensive position along Cemetery Ridge and retreat south towards the Federal capitol of Washington.


Plowing through paragraph one ... The Excelsior Brigade goes to war.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

" but, he respected and cared for his men, they responded positively to his leadership and he fought bravely in the face of the enemy "

Sickles knew exactly how exposed he was. This was no cautious creep. Drummer, bugles, skirmishers thrown out, flags,- observers said it was breathtaking, like something perfectly performed on a parade ground. Except it was a battlefield and he'd just ruptured the Union line. Sickles not only gave the enemy other men as gifts, creating flanks not there previously he exposed his own men in brand, new flanks. These soldiers were roadkill, Sickles just strung them out across the freeway with 2 way truck traffic. It may be tough building a defense claiming Sickles respected or cared for his men. Honestly am not picking at your academia, it just seems a massive challenge.

I've been able to change my mind about other generals who took hits at Gettysburg. Howard for instance really did well- you hear an awful lot about his ineffectiveness and he wasn't. The single doubt remaining in my head about Sickles would be his resolve to maintain Gettysburg as a sacred site. Have a theory for all his bluster some tiny, tiny part of the guy understood a lot of that National Cemetery was being dedicated to his handiwork. Keeping Gettysburg a memorial to all who died there in some measure helped his conscious ( may have had one, we'll never know ) pay a debt.

If there were accidental consequences benefitting the Union army as a result of Sickle's egomaniacal break from Meade's line, we can't hand Sickles the credit. It would be easier to defend why Meade was able to command the army as long as he did. Why? He didn't get arrested for shooting Sickles in the head at Gettysburg..

 

[Northern Light]

" but, he respected and cared for his men, they responded positively to his leadership and he fought bravely in the face of the enemy "

Sickles knew exactly how exposed he was. This was no cautious creep. Drummer, bugles, skirmishers thrown out, flags,- observers said it was breathtaking, like something perfectly performed on a parade ground. Except it was a battlefield and he'd just ruptured the Union line. Sickles not only gave the enemy other men as gifts, creating flanks not there previously he exposed his own men in brand, new flanks. These soldiers were roadkill, Sickles just strung them out across the freeway with 2 way truck traffic. It may be tough building a defense claiming Sickles respected or cared for his men. Honestly am not picking at your academia, it just seems a massive challenge.

I've been able to change my mind about other generals who took hits at Gettysburg. Howard for instance really did well- you hear an awful lot about his ineffectiveness and he wasn't. The single doubt remaining in my head about Sickles would be his resolve to maintain Gettysburg as a sacred site. Have a theory for all his bluster some tiny, tiny part of the guy understood a lot of that National Cemetery was being dedicated to his handiwork. Keeping Gettysburg a memorial to all who died there in some measure helped his conscious ( may have had one, we'll never know ) pay a debt.

If there were accidental consequences benefitting the Union army as a result of Sickle's egomaniacal break from Meade's line, we can't hand Sickles the credit. It would be easier to defend why Meade was able to command the army as long as he did. Why? He didn't get arrested for shooting Sickles in the head at Gettysburg..

JPK, I appreciate your generosity toward Sickles about the creation of the park, but I would argue that it has less to due with conscience and more to do with Sickles' ego, after all, the whole park was his memorial, as he stated.

 

[Northern Light]

Ok ...Professors review of my intro is in ... "Content wise you are fine and raise a very interesting question" not exactly a bell ringing endorsement ... the introduction/thesis is actually 9 pages in itself ... I am posting one paragraph, the thesis statement, because I read a post from a very astute moderator that stated any post longer then a single paragraph tends to be left unread .... so I give you two ;

The Commander of 3rd Corps would reposition his men to a strategically unsound and indefensible position that was neither anchored nor reinforced. Sickle's lack of formal military training and deeply ingrained personal bravado would cause him to make what can only described as a reckless tactical decision. "There is little argument that General Sickles disregarded the intent of the orders given directly to him by his superior officer. However, I believe that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that General Sickles' bold action set in motion a course of events that effectively blunted the momentum of the Confederate assault on the Federal line at Cemetery Ridge and was directly responsible for the failure of Longstreet's mission to roll up the left flank of the Union Army.

It was General Sickles who correctly surmised that an attack on his position was imminent and took steps that in his discernment would most effectively address the threat that was developing to his front. Sickles action, to reposition his Corps from Cemetery Ridge to Emmetsburg Road, caused a significant disruption in the cohesiveness of the Confederate attack, so much so that Longstreet's Corps failed in its objective to turn the Union left flank. Had Sickles remained in position on Cemetery Ridge, that part of the Union Army would have crumpled under the sheer mass of more than 14,000 Confederate infantrymen. General Meade would have been forced to withdraw the Union Army from its defensive position along Cemetery Ridge and retreat south towards the Federal capitol of Washington.


Plowing through paragraph one ... The Excelsior Brigade goes to war.

That's a fine line you draw between deliberate disobedience and good outcome. I hope you can cover your back sufficiently, because you will get fallout. You will need to present a very, very solid argument, for what seems to be a "what if" situation, which may explain you advisor's tepid response. Good luck