The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 [Paperback]

The First Day at Gettysburg is an excellent contribution to the overall studies of the battle itself, and Hessler should be commended for delivering a book that is concise enough to not be overwhelming, but detailed enough to provide unique insight and particular accounts of the fighting on the first day. Persons interested in Gettysburg will find much value in the work.  The NYMAS ReviewThe 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, crucialC