User talk:2604:6000:F983:5300:8D0:CDBF:60F4:BBDD

The final sentence of the third-to-last paragraph under the heading “First day of battle” states that Gen. Hancock “played no direct tactical role on the first day.” The citation given is to David Martin’s “Gettysburg July 1,” pp. 482-488. However, a reading of Martin’s book shows that Hancock made at least two key tactical decisions on the first day. Initially, when Hancock arrived at the battlefield the Union forces were concentrated on Cemetery Hill, and he “was at once concerned with the weakness of the position’s right flank”. Martin, p. 487. Hancock immediately saw the necessity of occupying the elevation to the right (east), known as Culp’s Hill, and directed artillery (5th Maine battery) and troops (Iron Brigade) there. Martin pp. 487-489. This position was reinforced shortly thereafter by a regiment “well over 400 strong,” the 7th Indiana. Martin p. 552. Members of the 7th Indiana surprised a Confederate reconnoitering party later that evening, alerting them to the fact that Culp’s Hill was occupied, thereby precluding an assault on the hill. Martin, pp. 557-558. Martin states that the entire course of the battle would have been changed if the Confederates had taken Culp’s Hill. Martin, p. 558. Clearly, Hancock’s decision to occupy Culp’s Hill was of vital tactical importance. Having secured the right flank, Hancock next directed troops (2nd Division, XII Corps) to protect the left flank, which extended southward from Cemetery Hill to Little Round Top. Martin, pp. 490, 539-540.In doing so, Hancock formed the extent of the Union defensive position, from Culp’s Hill to Little Round Top. Hancock also sent a verbal message to Gen. Meade that if the Union “position could be held until night, it would be the best place for the army to fight on if attacked.” Martin p. 490. This message was probably key to Meade’s decision to stay and fight at Gettysburg. Martin, p. 496. It can thus be seen that Hancock did indeed make a number of key tactical decisions on the first day of the battle.Fred Hutchison (talk) 17:50, 22 April 2020 (UTC)