The Gettysburg Order of Battle provides an overview of the forces involved in the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1–3, 1863, between the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. The order of battle lists the commanding officers, subordinate units, and strengths of each army. It includes the infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments, as well as the overall commanders of each army: Union Maj. Gen. George G. Meade and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
The Closest Entities
The Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia were the two main armies that clashed in the battles we’re discussing today. They were like two giant magnets, pulling each other into battle time and time again.
The Army of the Potomac was the Union army, led by General George B. McClellan. It was a well-trained and well-equipped force, but it was also plagued by infighting and hesitancy.
The Army of Northern Virginia was the Confederate army, led by General Robert E. Lee. It was a smaller and less well-equipped force, but it was more experienced and more aggressive.
These two armies fought tooth and nail in a series of battles that would shape the course of the Civil War. They were the closest entities in the conflict, and their battles were the most intense and decisive.
Entities with High Closeness: The Corps at the Heart of the Battle
Get ready to meet the rock stars of the Civil War battlefields! These Union and Confederate corps were the heavy hitters, the MVPs who played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of some of the most iconic clashes of the war.
Union Corps
- I Corps: Known as the “Iron Brigade,” these guys were the Union’s elite fighting force. Their motto? “We are the I Corps. We never surrender.” Don’t mess with these hardcore soldiers!
- II Corps: Led by the legendary General Winfield Scott Hancock, the II Corps was known for its “Gibraltar-like steadfastness in defense.” When you needed a wall of blue to stop the Confederate advance, these guys delivered.
- III Corps: The III Corps was the “Giant Killer,” bekannt for taking down the mighty Stonewall Jackson’s corps at Chancellorsville. These guys were the ultimate giant-slayers.
- V Corps: Also known as the “Meade’s Own,” this corps was under the direct command of General George Meade. With Meade at the helm, they were a force to be reckoned with.
- VI Corps: The VI Corps was the “Stonewall of the Union Army.” Their commander, John Sedgwick, was known for his motto, “I’m as obstinate as a mule in a brier patch.” No wonder they were so difficult to budge!
- VII Corps: Led by the fearless General John Reynolds, the VII Corps was known for its “lightning-like rapidity” on the battlefield. They were like a bolt of blue from the sky.
- VIII Corps: This corps was the “Army of the Shenandoah” under the command of General George Crook. They fought in some of the toughest battles of the war, including the Battle of Gettysburg.
- IX Corps: Led by General Ambrose Burnside, the IX Corps was known for its “crackjack fighting qualities.” These guys were the cream of the crop.
- XI Corps: The XI Corps was known as the “Roman Legion” of the Union Army, thanks to its discipline and effectiveness under General Oliver Otis Howard. They were like the Roman legionaries of old.
- XII Corps: Also known as the “Slocum’s Corps,” this group was under the command of General Henry Slocum. They were the backbone of the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Artillery Reserve: This reserve was commanded by General Henry Hunt and played a “tremendous” role in the Union victories at Antietam and Gettysburg. Their guns literally shaped the course of the war.
- Cavalry Corps: Led by General Alfred Pleasonton, the Union Cavalry Corps was the “eyes and ears” of the army. They were the ones who scouted ahead, harassed the enemy, and protected the flanks of the Union forces.
Confederate Corps
- First Corps: Led by General James Longstreet, the First Corps was known as “Old Pete’s Boys.” They were Longstreet’s loyal and dependable fighters.
- Second Corps: Commanded by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, the Second Corps was the “Stonewall Brigade.” Jackson’s men were the epitome of Confederate fighting spirit.
- Third Corps: Led by General A.P. Hill, the Third Corps was known as “Hardtack Hill’s Corps.” They were a tough and resilient group that could endure the harshest conditions.
- Artillery Reserve: This reserve was commanded by General William J. Pendleton and played a “significant” role in Confederate victories at Second Manassas and Chancellorsville. Their guns were a major factor in the outcome of many battles.
Entities with Moderate Closeness
The Army of the Tennessee: A Distant Force with a Lingering Influence
While the Army of the Potomac and Army of Northern Virginia took center stage in the battles of the Overland Campaign, another force lurked in the background, its presence felt like a distant rumble of thunder. That force was the Army of the Tennessee, led by the enigmatic General William Tecumseh Sherman.
Though not directly engaged in the bloody clashes of the Overland Campaign, the Army of the Tennessee played a significant role in the overall conflict. Sherman’s daring maneuvers in the Western Theater kept Confederate forces on their toes, preventing them from reinforcing their comrades in Virginia. Like a shadowy puppeteer, the Army of the Tennessee’s actions may have subtly influenced the outcome of the Overland Campaign, a testament to the interconnectedness of the war’s many fronts.
Well, folks, there you have it. The Gettysburg Order of Battle. It’s been a wild ride through history, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey as much as I have. If you’re hungry for more, be sure to check back later. I’ve got plenty more where that came from. Until then, thanks for reading, and see you next time!