Gettysburg July 2nd casualties

[millerpsc]

Did the 2nd day at Gettysburg produce more casualties then antietam? I have looked for a breakdown of the casualties by each day of battle but haven't found any yet. One Union officers account (can't remember his name but he was part of Hancocks staff I believe) stated that 20,000 confederates fell on July 2nd. Of course that has to be an overestimation but the with both sides casualties on that day I wouldn't be surprised if it should have the title of bloodiest single day in US history. Any thoughts on this? Also any information on casualties for 2nd July would be much appreciated

I might be posting this in the wrong section, May belong in battles.

 

[Wallyfish]

Being an accountant, I have always been fascinated with statistics. My love of Gettysburg has always made me pursue the answer to your question as I would like to see day 2 casualties eclipse Antietem's.

I highly recommend reading David Petruzzi & Steven Stanley's Gettysburg Campaign in numbers and losses.
This book provides best estimates of the casualties by day. Their day 2 estimates are below Antietem's casualties.

Unfortunately no one will ever know the true casualties. Record keeping, especially on the confederate side was not detailed. Confederate losses especially for units that fought on numerous days at Gettysburg have to be estimated because of the lack of data by day.

You will also read data that details the roll numbers before the battle. Then you deduct reported Gettysburg losses and then you compare that with roll numbers post Gettysburg and they don't add up.

The answer has been relagated to a theoretical number that never will be known. Just one more reason to love Gettysburg's could of beens, should of beens or concise facts. That is why we find the battle so fascinating 153 years after it happened.

 

[millerpsc]

I have also loved statistics, I find Fox's regimental loses in the civil war to be vital to any civil war buff. I'll definitely have to look up that book and get it as soon as I can afford to. How closely was the 2nd days casualties to Antietams?

 

[Scott Bowden]

Hi,

There is an extensive, detailed breakdown of casualties for July 2 given in my 2001 release, Last Chance for Victory: Robert E. Lee and the Gettysburg Campaign, on pages 358 - 365. Admitted Federal losses for that day amounted to 11,024 to which there must be added an indeterminate number of missing. Confederate losses amounted to about 6,500.

Hope this helps.

Regards,


Scott

 

[millerpsc]

Hi,

There is an extensive, detailed breakdown of casualties for July 2 given in my 2001 release, Last Chance for Victory: Robert E. Lee and the Gettysburg Campaign, on pages 358 - 365. Admitted Federal losses for that day amounted to 11,024 to which there must be added an indeterminate number of missing. Confederate losses amounted to about 6,500.

Hope this helps.

Regards,


Scott

Thanks for the information, is that counting the fighting on culps hill and cemetery hill also? 6500 seems low for an attacking army

 

[Scott Bowden]

Yes, figures are inclusive.

 

[millerpsc]

Those figures illustrate how bloody the 1st days fighting was. I appreciate the information Scott