The Untold Story of the First Day at Gettysburg: Unveiling the Battle that Shook the Nation in July 1863

The Prelude to the Battle: Tensions Rise as Confederate and Union Forces Converge

July 1st, 1863, marked the beginning of a three-day battle that would forever change the course of American history. Gettysburg, a small town in Pennsylvania, became the stage for one of the bloodiest and most significant conflicts of the Civil War.

Strategies and Key Players: Generals and Their Plans

General Robert E. Lee, leading the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, had his eyes set on a decisive victory on Union soil. Facing him was General George G. Meade, in command of the Union Army of the Potomac. Both generals had distinct strategies, and their clash on the first day would shape the events to come.

Fight Like the Devil: The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 (Emerging Civil War Series)

by Chris Mackowski (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4248 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	480 pages

FREE

The Opening Engagements: Surprise and Chaos Unleashed

As the Union cavalry, led by General John Buford, approached Gettysburg on the morning of July 1st, they were met with unexpected opposition from Confederate forces. A skirmish quickly escalated into a full-scale battle, catching both sides off guard.

Heroics and Sacrifices: The Soldiers Who Fought on the First Day

The first day at Gettysburg was marked by acts of bravery and selflessness on both sides. Union soldiers such as Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain and Confederate commanders like General John Bell Hood left their indelible mark on the battlefield. Their stories are a testament to the courage displayed during the chaos of war.

Decisions and Consequences: The Turning Point

Despite early victories, the Confederate forces were unable to fully capitalize on their advances due to delays and miscommunication. General Lee's decision not to pursue a full-scale assault on the Union's vulnerable flanks would prove to be a crucial turning point in the battle.

The Aftermath: The Cost of Victory and Defeat

By the end of the first day, the casualties were staggering on both sides. Gettysburg had become a gruesome landscape of shattered lives and broken dreams. The battle had only just begun, and the fate of the nation hung in the balance.

Legacy and Remembrance: Gettysburg's Enduring Impact

The Battle of Gettysburg remains one of the most studied and remembered events in American history. Its significance goes beyond the tactical and strategic aspects of warfare; it transcends time to become a symbol of unity, courage, and the high price of freedom.

Join the Journey: Exploring the Battlefield Today

To truly understand the magnitude of the events that unfolded on that fateful day in July 1863, one must visit the Gettysburg National Military Park. Walking the hallowed grounds where soldiers fought and died is a humbling experience that deepens appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

As the years pass, the legacy of the first day at Gettysburg continues to shape our nation's identity and reminds us of the enduring resilience of the American spirit.

Fight Like the Devil: The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 (Emerging Civil War Series)

by Chris Mackowski (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4248 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	480 pages

FREE

“Gives the reader an excellent readable narrative of the first day of battle . . . [and] an incredible driving tour which closes each chapter.” —Matthew Bartlett, Gettysburg Chronicle

Do not bring on a general engagement, Confederate General Robert E. Lee warned his commanders. The Army of Northern Virginia, slicing its way through south-central Pennsylvania, was too spread out, too vulnerable, for a full-scale engagement with its old nemesis, the Army of the Potomac. Too much was riding on this latest Confederate invasion of the North. Too much was at stake.

As Confederate forces groped their way through the mountain passes, a chance encounter with Federal cavalry on the outskirts of a small Pennsylvania crossroads town triggered a series of events that quickly escalated beyond Lee’s—or anyone’s—control. Waves of soldiers materialized on both sides in a constantly shifting jigsaw of combat. “You will have to fight like the devil . . .” one Union cavalryman predicted.

The costliest battle in the history of the North American continent had begun.

July 1, 1863 remains the most overlooked phase of the battle of Gettysburg, yet it set the stage for all the fateful events that followed.

Bringing decades of familiarity to the discussion, historians Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis, in their always-engaging style, recount the action of that first day of battle and explore the profound implications in Fight Like the Devil.

“The book, written in the series’ accessible style, includes more than 100 illustrations, new maps and analysis.” —Longwood Magazine