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Gettysburg July 1
Combines scholarly interpretations and the author's own analysis to present a tactical account of the critical first day of the Civil War's greatest battle
732 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 1, 2025
A Comprehensive Study Of the First Day Of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- 3, 1863) continues to fascinate scholarly and lay readers alike. The battle can be explored from innumerable perspectives and with a greater or lesser degree of depth depending upon the interests of the reader.
David Martin's study, "Gettysburg, July 1" is a thorough, detailed study of the first day of the battle, of the events leading up to it, and of the impact of the first day's fight on the remainder of the contest. The book examines day 1 of Gettysburg on the macro and micro levels. Martin discusses the strategies of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia after they stumbled into each other on July 1. But in addition to command decisions, Martin gives great attention to the battle on the division and regimental levels. He also painstakingly describes and analyzes many anecdotes, legends, and accounts of individual soldiers. The detail may make it difficult for the reader to separate the important from the secondary, and it makes the account repetitious at times.
Together with his account, Martin offers his own assessment of the course of the battle and of the decisions of the commanders. At times he falls into speculation and into "what-ifs", but he is clear to indicate to the reader when he is doing so. Martin is critical of the Union 11th Corps, of Union Generals Howard and Slocum, of Confederate commander Robert E. Lee and of Confederate Third Corps commander A.P. Hill. He praises the Union First Corps and Generals Meade, Hancock,Reynolds Doubleday, and Buford. His analyses flow well if slowly from his factual presentation. Martin treats his subject with seriousness and respect.
The reader would be well advised to begin this book with appendix 2 which is an outstanding account of the topography of the first day's battlefield and of the road network surrounding Gettysburg. These factors are critical in understanding the events of July 1. I also thought the maps in this book were highly useful in understanding the battle. The maps are of two kinds: a "situation" map showing the position of the troops at a given point in time and an "action" map focusing on an incident of the battle -- for example Confederate General Iverson's ill-conceived attack on Baxter's troops early in the afternoon.
Discussion of July 1 at Gettysburg almost always focuses on the Confederate's apparent failure to follow-up on their success and attack the heights -- Cemetery and Culp's Hills. Martin does a masterful job of showing how the Confederate decision was in fact a sum of many small decisions. I found his analysis helped me a great deal in sorting out and understanding this controversial issue. Martin concludes that General Lee (not General Ewell, commander of the Confederate Second Corps) was responsible for the decision not to advance on the heights and the attack probably would have been unsuccessful if it had been attempted.
As I indicated at the beginning of this review, there are many ways of approaching the Battle of Gettysburg and many levels of detail that may interest different readers. I suggest that this book can best be read by readers who have a good grounding in the Civil War and, more particularly, a good background in the battle of Gettysburg itself. But because of the detail of this book, I suggest the reader also have examined something of the first day's actions before tackling this study. I recommend Warren Hassler's shorter account of day 1 "Crisis at the Crossroads." Harry Pfanz's study of day 1 is also a detailed and lucid account, and shorter than Martin's book.
This is a thorough account of day 1 at Gettysburg that will appeal to readers with a passion to learn everything they can about this important event in our Nation's history.
Robin Friedman
The battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- 3, 1863) continues to fascinate scholarly and lay readers alike. The battle can be explored from innumerable perspectives and with a greater or lesser degree of depth depending upon the interests of the reader.
David Martin's study, "Gettysburg, July 1" is a thorough, detailed study of the first day of the battle, of the events leading up to it, and of the impact of the first day's fight on the remainder of the contest. The book examines day 1 of Gettysburg on the macro and micro levels. Martin discusses the strategies of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia after they stumbled into each other on July 1. But in addition to command decisions, Martin gives great attention to the battle on the division and regimental levels. He also painstakingly describes and analyzes many anecdotes, legends, and accounts of individual soldiers. The detail may make it difficult for the reader to separate the important from the secondary, and it makes the account repetitious at times.
Together with his account, Martin offers his own assessment of the course of the battle and of the decisions of the commanders. At times he falls into speculation and into "what-ifs", but he is clear to indicate to the reader when he is doing so. Martin is critical of the Union 11th Corps, of Union Generals Howard and Slocum, of Confederate commander Robert E. Lee and of Confederate Third Corps commander A.P. Hill. He praises the Union First Corps and Generals Meade, Hancock,Reynolds Doubleday, and Buford. His analyses flow well if slowly from his factual presentation. Martin treats his subject with seriousness and respect.
The reader would be well advised to begin this book with appendix 2 which is an outstanding account of the topography of the first day's battlefield and of the road network surrounding Gettysburg. These factors are critical in understanding the events of July 1. I also thought the maps in this book were highly useful in understanding the battle. The maps are of two kinds: a "situation" map showing the position of the troops at a given point in time and an "action" map focusing on an incident of the battle -- for example Confederate General Iverson's ill-conceived attack on Baxter's troops early in the afternoon.
Discussion of July 1 at Gettysburg almost always focuses on the Confederate's apparent failure to follow-up on their success and attack the heights -- Cemetery and Culp's Hills. Martin does a masterful job of showing how the Confederate decision was in fact a sum of many small decisions. I found his analysis helped me a great deal in sorting out and understanding this controversial issue. Martin concludes that General Lee (not General Ewell, commander of the Confederate Second Corps) was responsible for the decision not to advance on the heights and the attack probably would have been unsuccessful if it had been attempted.
As I indicated at the beginning of this review, there are many ways of approaching the Battle of Gettysburg and many levels of detail that may interest different readers. I suggest that this book can best be read by readers who have a good grounding in the Civil War and, more particularly, a good background in the battle of Gettysburg itself. But because of the detail of this book, I suggest the reader also have examined something of the first day's actions before tackling this study. I recommend Warren Hassler's shorter account of day 1 "Crisis at the Crossroads." Harry Pfanz's study of day 1 is also a detailed and lucid account, and shorter than Martin's book.
This is a thorough account of day 1 at Gettysburg that will appeal to readers with a passion to learn everything they can about this important event in our Nation's history.
Robin Friedman
November 13, 2015
Fine minute by minute account of action on July 1. Helps to have additional maps handy. Martin is an able historian but pretty dry as a writer. I am also reading Glenn Tucker's "High Tide at Gettysburg" which is far more entertaining but not as informative. It is incredible that "Americans" could inflict so much carnage on one another.
May 5, 2020
I will echo what others have said about this one - it is VERY detailed, and there are not enough maps to follow the described actions. This is for the more serious readers who already have a good working knowledge about the battle of Gettysburg, and I would not recommend it for someone who just wants a basic overview of the battle, or even just the first day.
With that being said, it is a well-researched book that goes into great detail about circumstances surrounding the first day at Gettysburg. The only thing I did not like (beyond the shortage of maps) is that the narrative jumps around too much in the timing of the day. It's not strictly chronological, as different areas of the battlefield are the focus, and it can be confusing about exactly when certain actions took place in relationship to other actions on the battlefield.
With that being said, it is a well-researched book that goes into great detail about circumstances surrounding the first day at Gettysburg. The only thing I did not like (beyond the shortage of maps) is that the narrative jumps around too much in the timing of the day. It's not strictly chronological, as different areas of the battlefield are the focus, and it can be confusing about exactly when certain actions took place in relationship to other actions on the battlefield.
January 29, 2025
Masterfully researched and wonderfully detailed. Mr. Martin did an outstanding job pulling together, cross-checking and then collating sources to prepare a rich and engaging history of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
March 9, 2017
Highly readable account of the first critical day at Gettysburg, that most people are unfamiliar with. Good maps but some leave a bit to be desired in details that are covered in the text but not shown on maps. Otherwise a really interesting, often fast-paced account that is not a dry history but rather an exciting narrative that brings the battle to life with a great many first-hand accounts that make the participants live again.
February 13, 2023
July 1, 1863, is the most overlooked day out of the three days of battle at Gettysburg. I think it is because it does not have anything associated with it like day 2 has Little Round Top and day 3 has Pickett's Charge. I used to have that mentality as well. My dad always said that is when the North won the battle because they formed a strong defensive position after retreating. Martin has also convinced me. I checked this book out of the library and enjoyed it. I love this book so much I bought it. I have read it twice this year (2022) because Martin provides a lot of details, but it is so readable. He really does a great job analyzing the events of the first day and providing the information in a way that is accessible. I think his strength is the conclusions at the end especially the whole Richard Ewell taking the Hill. Isn't it funny that his critics came out after he died to criticize him? I thought Pfanz, who is a fantastic writer, wrote the definitive book on day 1. I stand corrected. That belongs to Martin. In fact, just read Martin's book for July 1st.
November 10, 2013
If you ever wanted to break down in detail the activities in Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, this book is a great start. Martin breaks down the engagements and follows them to the conclusion. He comments on successes and failures on both sides and offers his ideas on controversies like who fired the first shot, were there really shoes in Gettysburg and who retreated first, the I Corp or the XI Corp. While it is not error free in its content, it will give readers a really good feel for the action. It has lots of good information in the appendices - the order of battle, artillery table, footnotes, bibliography, end notes and more. I've spent the last 6 weeks picking through it and now feel I have a very good understanding of the overall action of the day.
Recommend for: History lovers, Gettysburg fanatics
Recommend for: History lovers, Gettysburg fanatics
September 21, 2023
David Martin's micro-history of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg ranks as a first rate effort in Civil War historiography. Martin seamlessly blends primary source materials into a comprehensive view of the actions of July 1st ranging from the lowly private to the commanding generals. His analysis of the questions and controversies of the opening day of the battle are explained cogently and succinctly. Make no mistake, this is not a beginners intro to the big battle. More than a passing familiarity of the units and personalities is required to take the most from this highly detailed examination. However, for those with a great interest in the minute details of Civil War battle this work sets the bar.
January 15, 2019
Excellent, detailed study of the first day at Gettysburg, although I'm not sure if the two opening chapters needed to go into so much detail of the pre-battle campaign (such as describing the July 25th skirmish at Gettysburg).
May 12, 2009
For the hard core Civil War buff, only. If you're looking for a simple read... keep looking.
December 8, 2013
Part of a 3 volume set, the book emphasizes details down to regimental level. Again, too much even for me but superbly well done.
Read
February 12, 2016Very tedious reading. More detail on each regiment than I thought necessary. Made for a hard read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews