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Fight Like the Devil: the First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 by Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis (Review)

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Fight Like the Devil: the First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 by Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis (Review) Fight like the Devil: The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 by Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis (review) Robert M. Dunkerly Gettysburg Magazine, Number 55, July 2016, p. 95 (Review) Published by University of Nebraska Press DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/get.2016.0023 For additional information about this article https://muse.jhu.edu/article/627394 [ This content has been declared free to read by the pubisher during the COVID-19 pandemic. ] Book Notes Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Th e book is well illustrated with maps, modern Daniel T. Davis. Fight like the Devil: Th e First Day and historic photographs, and sketches. Further, at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. With a foreword by the authors clearly and concisely weave together the Mark H. Dunkelman. El Dorado Hills, ca: Savas information and symbolism of the monuments on Beatie, 2015. 169 pp. Paper, $12.95. this portion of the battlefi eld. Th e stories behind isbn 978- 1- 61121- 227- 3. the monuments are windows into many fascinating human- interest stories that shed light on the chaos Th e fi rst day of fi ghting at Gettysburg is the most of battle and its infl uence on soldiers and civilians overlooked of the three. Yet as authors Chris Mac- alike. Th ese details also emphasize the battlefi eld’s kowski, Kris White, and Dan Davis note, what hap- commemoration and some postbattle controver- pened on July 1, 1863, infl uenced everything that sies and misconceptions that captivated visitors and came aft er. Th eir book, Fight like the Devil, delivers veterans. on what it promises. It is concise, accurate, and in- An understanding of terrain is crucial in any en- cludes fresh insights into Gettysburg’s fi rst day. gagement, and the authors include a good analysis Th e authors carefully dissect years of postwar of it. With each phase of the battle, they illustrate controversy and volumes of modern battle studies how particular terrain features helped and hindered to pinpoint the breakdowns in Confederate leader- attackers and defenders. Rather than include a sep- ship and communication. Th e results of these fric- arate driving tour at the end, the narrative is written tions, they conclude, ultimately entangled the Army as a tour itself, one that takes readers through the of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, when it was not battlefi eld and to some of its lesser known sites. Lee’s intention to bring on a general engagement. Even if a reader never visits, the photographs and Along the way, the authors provide honest as- explanation enhance the overall understanding of sessments of commanders, including A. P. Hill, events. Richard Ewell, Henry Heth, George Meade, and One of the book’s strongest points is its numer- John Reynolds. Th eir emphasis on decisions is key ous appendices, which address misconceptions and to the book’s success, for all the crucial choices myths. Th ey discuss such issues as Stuart’s ride, the those men made— or did not make, as the case may myth of shoes luring Confederates into town on be— in late June and on the fi rst day of July aff ected July 1, and Ewell’s decision not to assault Cemetery the course of what followed. Hill in the evening, one of the most hotly debated Th e authors do not second- guess the gener- what- ifs of the war. Th e appendices are authored by als. Instead, they carefully weigh the commanders’ historians with their own specialties in the Gettys- options and assess the results of their actions. Th e burg Campaign and who are in touch with recent combat on July 1 fl owed back and forth, and it in- scholarship on the battle. volved many complicated small unit maneuvers, as Readers of Fight like the Devil will gain a good well as wide, sweeping divisional- level actions. Th ey understanding of the July 1 action at Gettysburg as have broken it down into digestible portions. well as the latest preservation eff orts there. It is an Altogether, July 1 at Gettysburg is the story of important contribution to the Emerging Civil War an expanding battle with commanders assuming a Series. wider and growing scope of supervision. Th ese de- Robert M. Dunkerly tails are crucially important. As the authors write, Richmond National Battlefi eld Park as the day unfolded, a muddled chain of command developed on both sides of the battlefi eld. Book Notes 95.
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