The Battle of Gettysburg

Book Review Written September 10, 2019The Battle of Gettysburg, By Frank A. HaskellKindle Edition (126 Pages)This is an eye witness account of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863). The author, First Lieutenant Frank Aretas Haskell wrote this account for his brother and, at the time, did not intend to have it published. He was in a particularly good position to provide a factual account of the fighting at Gettysburg, especially on July 2-3 because he was serving as the Adjutant and aide-de-camp to General John Gibbon, a division Commander in the II Corps, in the Army of the Potomac. The II Corps, which was commanded by Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, was positioned in the center of the Union defensive line on Cemetery Ridge where it was actively engaged in some of the heaviest fighting of the battle on July 2 and was the focal point of assault known historically as "Pickets Charge" on July 3. In fact, Haskell's heroic actions at a critical moment during the Confederate assault on the Union's center on July 3 helped ensure a hard fought Union repulse of the attack. Further, because Haskell was a honors graduate of Dartmouth College (Class of 1854) and a lawyer by vocation he is an excellent writer skilled at organizing the narrative and providing factual details. In addition to being a keen observer, he also was profoundly aware that he was bearing witness to an extraordinarily important event in American history and desired to preserve it in writing, as objectively and factual as possible. The result is nothing short of one of the best 19th Century accounts of this type I have ever read. While it is written in the style and manner of the period, it is easy to read and comprehend. While Haskell is unapologetically Unionist, and has little sympathy for the Confederate cause, he expresses an abiding respect for the bravery and skill of its soldiers, and strives to maintain objectivity in his account. His narrative captures the sights, smells, sounds, fears, bravery, cowardice, wounding, death of the terrible fighting in a memorable manner. He also provide a great deal of interesting information and anecdote regarding Union soldiers and officers, e.g. camp life, how they prepare themselves for battle, their experiences during and after combat, treatment of the wounded and dead, reactions to the victory and defeat. I especially enjoyed his account of General Daniel Sickles moving his III Corps July 2 in violation of orders, 1000 yards forward from its position in the Union defensive line to the Peach Orchard, a movement that resulted in the destruction of III Corps and near defeat of the Army of the Potomac. Haskell's account of "Picket's Charge" is also very vivid and well written. Overall this is an excellent informative account that is a must read for American Civil War enthusiasts as well as persons who enjoy history in general and in particular American history.

This is supposedly a letter from the author to his brother. It reads more like a novel. The author, an officer of the Union Army, refers to himself as vain and egotistical. I have to say I agree. However; his accounts of the battle were from his personal experiences. He doesn't attempt to surmise or guess what was happening between armies in other places. It is felt that he, being intelligent and well schooled, didn't suffer fools."The red flags wave, their horsemen gallop up and down; the arms of eighteen thousand men, barrel and bayonet, gleam in the sun, a sloping forest of flashing steel. Right on they move, as with one soul, in perfect order, without impediment....These Rebels are accustomed to hunger and nakedness, customs to which our men do not take readily." "Tradition, story, history—all will not efface the true, grand epic of Gettysburg."" -Frank A. Haskell

This is a frontline view from a union officer. He was close to the generals involved and he understood the overall strategy at Gettysburg. He was instrumental in stopping Pickett’s charge and was in the thick of battle. His account is first hand while other books are written years later. While his account may not be totally accurate it is not based on hearsay. It would be hard to believe that a Gettysburg author would not have read this.

A very interesting, personal view of the battle through the eyes of an actual soldier who participated in the battle. It is very well written in the period phrasing and words of the times. I though it was concise and reminded me of the book "The Killer Angels" with its daily description of the battle. It is well worth the read and I was very surprised that it was a free book.

I read this book prior to going to Gettysburg. The way this book is written you actually feel like you are on the battlefield. The description of the battles, the soldiers, the pain and suffering is, well it left me speechless and in tears many times. When we arrived in Gettysburg and went to the museum, then walked the grounds I could actually picture what was described in the book and almost hear the sounds he described and smell the gun powder, it gave me chills. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a first hand account of actually being IN the battle and the somber and painful reality of the brutality and sad endings that so many met.

Those who read of 19th Century battles will appreciate the detail and exacting picture given of the Union lines and leadership. A pivotal battle with horrendous casualties fought for no strategic end. The writer is clearly a valiant hero and who among us can glimpse what he went through?The clear advantage of defending a position as opposed to carrying a position foreshadows WWI.

After visiting Gettysburg recently, this was a great book to fill in the human details of the battlefield. The battle scene descriptions were riveting. His personal comments drew a good picture of what it was like for an individual in the middle of war.

First person account that is well written, and before he succumbed to his death later in the war. Highly recommended.