Gettysburg's Peach Orchard: Longstreet, Sickles, and the Bloody Fight for the "Commanding Ground" Along the Emmitsburg Road

by James A. Hessler, Britt C. Isenberg (Contributor), Bob Neufeld (Narrator)

More books have been written about the battle of Gettysburg than any other engagement of the Civil War. The historiography of the battle's second day is usually dominated by the Union's successful defense of Little Round Top, but the day's most influential action occurred nearly one mile west along the Emmitsburg Road in farmer Joseph Sherfy's peach orchard. Despite its overriding importance, no full-length study of this pivotal action has been written until now. James Hessler's and Britt Isenberg's Gettysburg's Peach Orchard: Longstreet, Sickles, and the Bloody Fight for the "Commanding Ground" Along the Emmitsburg Road corrects that oversight.

On July 2, 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered skeptical subordinate Maj. Gen. James Longstreet to launch a massive assault against the Union left flank. The offensive was intended to seize the Peach Orchard and surrounding ground along the Emmitsburg Road for use as an artillery position to support the ongoing attack. However, Union Maj. Gen. Daniel Sickles, a scheming former congressman from New York, misinterpreted his orders and occupied the orchard first.

What followed was some of Gettysburg's bloodiest and most controversial fighting. General Sickles's questionable advance forced Longstreet's artillery and infantry to fight for every inch of ground to Cemetery Ridge. The Confederate attack crushed the Peach Orchard salient and other parts of the Union line, threatening the left flank of Maj. Gen. George Meade's army. The command decisions made in and around the Sherfy property influenced actions on every part of the battlefield. The occupation of the high ground at the Peach Orchard helped General Lee rationalize ordering the tragic July 3 assault known as "Pickett's Charge."

This richly detailed study is based upon scores of primary accounts and a deep understanding of the terrain. Hessler and Isenberg, both Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, combine the military aspects of the fighting with human interest stories in a balanced treatment of the bloody attack and defense of Gettysburg's Peach Orchard.



Running Time => 9hrs. and 48mins.

©2019 Savas Beatie (P)2021 Savas Beatie

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, Historical, War

Audible Audio

First published March 14, 2019

About the author

James Hessler is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park. His 2009 book, Sickles at Gettysburg, was awarded the R.E. Lee Civil War Round Table’s Bachelder Coddington Award and the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table's Distinguished Book Award as the most outstanding work on the Gettysburg Campaign. His most recent book, Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, was co-authored with Wayne Motts and released in 2015. Jim has been a guest on NPR, Travel Channel, PCN-TV, Breitbart News, and Civil War Radio. He is a popular author and speaker at civil war round tables who has taught courses for the Gettysburg Foundation and Harrisburg (PA) Area Community College. He lives in Gettysburg with his wife and children. --American Battlefield Trust

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over a century and a half has passed since America’s internal war that removed slavery from its southern states. Tens of thousands of books have been published on one or another aspect of it. Many hundreds of books have been written about the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. What more needs to be put in print? Those thoughts were running through my mind when I picked up this book. I recalled several things that seemed important:
Having recovered from the Battle of Chancellorsville where the Confederates more than held their own against a much larger Union army, General Lee took the war to the Northern states with an incursion into Pennsylvania. If he could sufficiently decimate the Union’s Army of the Potomac, it would likely undercut President Lincoln’s Republican Party and allow northern Democrats to begin peace negotiations.
Lee failed to accomplish this and General Meade’s troops won the battle and, with the contemporaneous fall of Vicksburg, the Union had turned the tide.
The majority of recountings of this battle focus on the July 3 charge by General Pickett that failed to break the Union lines.
However, there would have been no need for that charge if General Lee had been successful on the previous day.
This book reflects the war and this battle but focuses on a small area of the July 2 engagement around the Peach Orchard that lay between the two armies. Hessler and Isenberg make it clear that there were several instances during that day when the battle could have been won by the Confederates. Benjamin Franklin could have been writing about this day and place when he penned:
“For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For the want of a horse the rider was lost,
For the want of a rider the battle was lost,
For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail.”

The research in this book is magnificent and the documented details would enhance any reader's understanding of this battle. My rating is high because I believe the book can work for both the casual reader and those devoted to studying this battle. Why for the casual reader? Because the book offers insights into a host of interesting characters and it reflects both on:
How these armies ended up at Gettysburg (and in what mental as well as physical shape); and,
What were the consequences of this battle?

But more than these things, what we have here is a cautionary account of how the two Generals, Longstreet and Sickles, could have carried the day for their respective armies....and didn't.

Let's take Sickles first because he is (among other things) mendacious, self-serving and at this battle inattentive. We get to see how his training as an attorney allows him to deny (for decades after the battle) and persuade that Meade hadn't given him explicit instructions as to where to place his troops. His advance salient, though problematical for the Confederates, almost costs the Union the battle.

Then there is Longstreet, who has been accused of many things during this battle including petulance. His failures, from having read this and other books, were his failure to assure that his generals and colonels were kept in good communication and that his lack of accurate information about the placement and strength of the enemy caused delays that prevented victory.

Among the consequences were that lack of coordination of attacks at both ends of the battle line (due to Lee's inattentiveness) and the missed opportunity to place troops on Little Round Top while that was possible.

All that took place on the following day would have been unnecessary if Lee's army had been successful on this day "along the Emmitsburg Road."

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of the three days of Gettysburg had their memorable moments when the two armies were fighting for the chance to 'win it all'. Of course in reality that was an illusion, but Gettysburg has always carried its own mystique. We remember the names and places, which will forever be associated with that great battle. This book is about two of those names and a place called the Peach Orchard.

The Army of Northern Virginia stumbled into battle, winning on July 1, but then had to face an entrenched Army of the Potomac on the second day. If you have seen 'Gettysburg', you know about the fight for Little Roundtop, but the bloodletting in the Peach Orchard was equally dramatic, if not as well known.

Genreral Daniel Sickles of the Third Corps (AoP) was the 'man of the moment' when he moved his corps forward from Cemetery Ridge to the Emmitsburg Road because of 'commanding ground' Opposite him was the commander of the 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, General James Longstreet, who did not expect to find his opponents where he found them. The battle that ensued was bloody and almost successful for the Confederacy.

This book shows a detailed look at the fighting, the people involved--both soldiers and civilians, and the aftermath, including a brief discussion of the 3rd day. At times, it is difficult to believe how close this country came to irrevocably tearing itself apart. The great battles decided the issue, but within the great battles were periods of a few hours that made the difference. What happened at the Peach Orchard was one of those times.

[Paul Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overshadowed by a focus on July 3 events at Little Round Top on July 2, this book exhaustively discusses the battle a mile or so west of the Round Top. Of interest are postwar conversations between Generals Longstreet and Sickles. This study makes me eager to revisit the location. Sadly, many died for this piece of land whose tactical value was over-rated it seems. But, such is the nature of war and a revisit could pay homage to their memory.

[Stephen Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard” is an excellent tactical and strategic recreation of the Battle of Gettysburg’s most overlooked sector: the Peach Orchard found at the southern end of the famed fish-hook-like battlefield.

The authors go to great lengths to recreate the limited views of Daniel Sickles, George Meade, James Longstreet, and Robert E. Lee when coordinating and implementing the attack up (north) on the Emmittsburg Road. The authors make clear that Sickles’ decision to get out in front of Meade’s defensive line on Cemetery Ridge was not a strategic advantage, and in fact cost the Union dearly in the fight against Confederate forces. The relative ease with which Union forces under Sicklesd eventually were able to fall back on. And defend Cemetery Ridge goes quite a way to proving Meade correct in the strategic view on the battle.

The book is quite well-written and even attentive to non-military details, such as the civilians occupying the Peach Orchard, often ignored within Civil War tactical literature.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid microhistory on the fighting between the Union III Corps and Confederate I Corps at the Peach Orchard on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. If you enjoy studying the Battle of Gettysburg as I do, you will enjoy this book a lot.

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely must read for any student of Gettysburg. Well researched, well written, great book!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for students of the Gettysburg campaign! The author is a certified battlefield guide who knows every inch of the terrain which enlivens this narrative of the events surrounding July 2. The author supports his study with a mastery of the primary source material and key secondary literature. His writing is lucid and his footnotes a delight to those of us who love historiography.

[Bob Coté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended

I rarely write a review but this book certainly warrants one. I discovered it in a rather circuitous route. This past July marked the 158th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. As such, the American Battlefield Trust published an excellent series of YouTube videos (also recommended) covering the battle.

One of the videos centered on the fighting in and around the Peach Orchard on the second day. The Trust often includes local experts and in this particular one included Mr Hessler. During the video, it was mention d that Mr. Hessler hosts a podcast on the battle. This is also an excellent collection of discussions and interviews. Naturally, in one of the podcasts, Mr. Hessler mentions the books he has written and this happens to be the most recent. It never ceases to amaze me the rabbit holes one can follow.

The object of the book is the paint the relative importance of the fighting for the Peach Orchard in the context of the battle and perhaps the war. It is incredibly researched with fantastic footnotes and has some of the best maps I have ever seen. It includes proportionally sized biographies of the main characters and is well edited. I also enjoyed the many photos which includes period and current day to also help present the landscape. If I have a criticism, it is the number of human interest stories. We all know war is tragic, but all tragic stories are pretty much the same.

From my experience, one of the hardest things to do well is to end a book. Most authors struggle with bringing a story to a close for whatever reason. Mr. Hessler and Mr. Isenberg know how to finish by giving short and concise conclusions and recaps on the post battle history including modern day efforts to preserve the battlefield. I was very pleased to see Chamberlain’s name only mentioned once and at the end.

I have been to Gettysburg a couple of times but am embarrassed to say I don’t even recall the Peach Orchard. This will be corrected on my next visit thanks to this book. Well done and thank you.

[Fred M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several books about the civil war and a couple books about specific civil war battles (mainly, Gettysburg and Shiloh), but this is the first book I’ve read that focuses on one specific location within the wider area of a civil war battleground (in this case, Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard). But the Amazon description described it as “the day’s most influential action”, so it sounded worth reading.

Typically, for any history book, the more focused it is on a specific event or location, the denser the details. The order of battle is described in shorter chunks of time. More of the battle’s officers are mentioned and given their due. There are more anecdotes about individual infantrymen and artillerymen. Personally, I’m usually more interested in the strategies than in the tactics (the book had both, of course), and so would have preferred a book with less detailed information. For more scholarly individuals, this book could be just what they’re looking for.

One interesting aspect of this book is its emphasis on artillery battalions as well as infantry battalions. Indeed, Peach Orchard was considered potentially desirable by both sides due to its possible value as a height upon which to place their artillery batteries.

The book attempted to document battalions’ movements (both in time and locale) as the battle progressed. To be able to document such details accurately, for a battle that occurred over 150 years ago, shows just how much information about the battle at Gettysburg was gathered shortly after the battle as well as in later years. Typically though, the more information there is available, the more conflicting information there is as well. Historians must sort through the conflicts and make their best guesses (while also acknowledging that conflicting information existed).

I liked that there were a good number of good maps, even if no map is particularly readable on a Kindle.

Bottom line: This book certainly showed how decisions can affect the flow of battle. But the book had lots of details and so perhaps not written for the casual reader.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gettysburg's Peach Orchard is a detailed account of the fighting that occurred in the Peach Orchard and along the Emmitsburg Road during the 1863 Civil War battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and does its best to address the (still) controversial decision by Major General Dan Sickles, commander of the Union Third Corps, to position his troops in a very extended line that included the Peach Orchard and the Emmitsburg Road rather than along the southern part of Cemetery Ridge, as ordered.

To their credit, the authors do not make an attempt to justify or vilify Sickles' decisions; rather, they lay out the impact that that decision had on decisions by Confederate Lieutenant General James Longstreet and the subsequent devastation that all of those decisions had on the units of the Third Corps on July 2. These decisions also played a significant role in General Robert E. Lee's decision to attack the center of Union line on July 3 in what came to be known as "Pickett's Charge". The final chapter also addresses the way in which the various players justified their actions.

I picked up this book because of time that I spent in Gettysburg earlier this summer, during which I was immersed in the activities specifically of the Union Third Corps in potentially causing a Union disaster and the Union Second Corps in potentially saving the Union position from being overrun. Having spent time there, I was happy to find a book that laid the entire episode out so clearly.

I tend to rate books that delve into such detail less highly, but it's the very detail of this book that I most wanted and needed at this stage of my education and Mr. Hessler and Mr. Isenberg did an excellent job in providing a very readable detailed account. Therefore, the book will remain in my library as a reference guide. However, if you are looking for a book to introduce you to Gettysburg and the Peach Orchard, this is probably not the place to start. Find a book that provides a more general account. And if you find that this particular aspect of the battle appeals to you and that you want a more detailed discussion, then by all means pick up Gettysburg's Peach Orchard. It would be worth your while.

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! I have been a student of the Gettysburg Campaign for many, many years and have had the privilege of visiting the battlefield numerous times. Those visits to the battlefield allowed the book to come to life as I have walked those hallowed grounds, and I was able to visualize the narrative.

Hessler's work is not only a historical narrative, but it pays homage to those who fought there on both sides of the conflict. Those soldiers who demonstrated bravery amidst horrendous fighting, many who died, many who were wounded, and many who returned years later to pay thier respects.

I enjoyed the analysis and the numerous footnotes added depth to the text. As I read, I also viewed the book through the lens of decision making, command and control, and situational awareness. I teach these three subjects and Hessler's work will no doubt enrich my classes.

This is a great book and I strongly recommend it for anyone, but especially students of the Gettysburg Campaign.

[Mark Burcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent & well researched study of the Gettysburg battle. As the title states, its primary focus is on the Peach Orchard salient created by Union general Sickles moving his troops far to the front of the intended federal defensive line. By the time Commanding General Meade discovered the movement, it was too late to change. It proved to be costly for both armies, as Southern General Longstreet believed the salient was the end of the left for the Union, when actually it was Little Round Top. I could go on, but the book does it better than me, lol.
This is my first in-depth read of the battle, and I believe it is a great overview of strategies by both sides. I enjoyed the book immensely.

[Dave Glorioso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed Peach Orchard History That Is Not Soiled With Minutiae

Great history of the battle at The Peach Orchard, it’s historiography, monumentation and civilians.
The book is entertaining, contains multiple maps and a lot of good anecdotal stories. The authors do a good job of relating the significance of the Peach Orchard battle and the relevance of it’s location. And yes, there is a good amount of discussion regarding the scoundrel.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book clearly explains how the actions of a possibly misguided corps commander shaped the battle at Gettysburg. I found it refreshing that it pays little attention to the often spotlighted action on Little Round Top and, instead, shows how the Third Corps fight at the Emmitsburg Road was the key to the three-day bloodbath. And I applaud the use of clear and understandable maps, which enhance a reader's experience. A great history..

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to understand this area of the Battle, read this book!

I have walked this portion of the field numerous times and after reading this book was able to picture it so much better! The attention to detail peppered with soldier's personal experiences makes it one of the best explanations of the intense fighting in and around the Peach Orchard! I can't recommend this book more highly!

[Diane Depew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Documented and Written with good maps

This is definitely one of the best historical accounts of an aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg that I have read. The authors included meticulous footnotes as well as a large number of detailed maps to give the reader the tools necessary to understand the battle as well as being confident in the history being conveyed. Additionally, the writing style made the narrative easy to read and understand.

[Gino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hessler and Isenberg have achieved a massive victory assembling in incredible detail the smallest and greatest movements, words, theories and personalities that surround the action in and around Gettysburg’s Sherfy peach orchard. This is a study level work completed with the most modern information and resources by authors intimately familiar with the ground. For anyone who is already fairly knowledgeable with the first days action and looking to build on that by focusing on the second day, I would HIGHLY recommend this book.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Gettysburg enthusiasts

I am a Gettysburg enthusiast who has read the "majors" (Coddington, Pfanz, Sears...) This book was thoroughly enjoyable because I felt that they did a great job of not only describing the positions, but they described, in a very objective way, the pluses and minuses of each move. Their attention to detail and ensuring accuracy, as well as you can 150 years later, shows through the extensive references and bibliography.

[Michael T. Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd read

Better than first. Can't wait to visit that area again. I always felt that the Emmitsburg Road line was the scariest place on the battlefield. The authors make it very real on how both sides stepped into a slaughterhouse. The Sickles controversy is handled perfectly showing both views. Photos n maps fantastic.

[Marc Brueggemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another good one if you are a Civil War and Gettysburg buff. The fighting in and around the Peach Orchard is probably somemof the most intense and bloodiest fighting in the entire Civil War. You will not be disappointed once the book ends!

[Janet Dennen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of the battle

Very detailed description of the many individuals who participated in and lost their lives during the hot summer days of July in Gettysburg. Quite an interesting book.

[Bradley S Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Highly recommend! An in depth account of one of the more overlooked events during the battle of Gettysburg. To sum up, General Longstreet described it as "the best three hours of fighting" he had ever seen!

[Franklin Clermont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard—a peach of a book

An excellent detailed history of a central facet of the Battle of Gettysburg. Desirable for both the Civil War historian and the casual reader. Covers both the personal stories and the strategic big picture.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read

I’ve studied civil war history and Gettysburg for over a decade. I was unaware of the significance of the peach orchard until I read this book. If your a civil war fan. This book is for you.

[bruce a stroh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched.

I'm surprised the author did not note how many peaches were on each tree. It had everything else. I have been to the Gettysburg site several times and this book added important new information for me. Makes me want to go avain.

[William Olenick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of two excellent books by Hessler

Hessler has added yet another excellent books to the library of Gettysburg books. The authors cover all that occurs on and around the Peach Orchard. But they also tell of Longstreet and Sickles as well as covering the three day battle from the perspective seen at the "best artillery platform" on south end of field.

[Christopher EastCoast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book. I knew about the peach orchard of course and have walked it many many time. I did not know about it in this level of detail. My hope is to get to Gettysburg to see the field in a new light!

[Chuck Gerhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic look at an often overlooked part of the battlefield! Gave me a new found appreciation for The Peach Orchard!

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great treatment on the battle with the focus on the peach orchard. Well worth the read.

[Jim Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, well researched

This is a good historical read on one of the important areas of the battle of Gettysburg. Well researched and reads fairly fast.