John F. Reynolds Research Paper

The United States of America has an intricate history, but in particular, the Battle of Gettysburg is exceptionally unique. The battle took place on July 1-3 of 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Confederacy wanted to win a battle on Union territory, so they advanced, planning for an offensive objective, but The Union, knew they were approaching, and prepared a defensive strategy. When the battle first broke out, the Union cavalry was trying to hold back the Confederate infantry, which proved to be a struggle. Despite the struggle, John F. Reynolds and his first corps helped the Union win the battle in the long run, by holding the high ground, even though he was killed on the first day. If John Reynolds and his corps didn’t arrive as quickly …show more content…
Many were close to Reynolds, so they were shocked at the news that the corps leader was dead. U.S. Major Joseph Rosengarten said, "The suddenness of the shock was in itself, perhaps, a relief to those who were nearest to Reynolds in the full flush of life and health, vigorously leading the attack of a comparatively small body, a glorious picture of the best type of military leader, superbly mounted, and horse and man sharing in the excitement of the shock of battle, Reynolds was, of course, a shining-mark to the enemy's sharpshooters. He had taken his troops into a heavy growth of timber on the slope of a hillside, and, under their regimental and brigade commanders, the men did their work well and promptly. Returning to join the expected divisions, he was struck by a Minnie ball, fired by a sharpshooter hidden in the branches of a tree almost overhead, and killed at once; his horse bore him to the little clump of trees, where a cairn of stones, and a rude mark on the bark, now almost overgrown, still tells the fatal spot…” His death didn't stop his troops from continuing to fight, however, because Reynolds trained them well. Rosengarten also said, "It is a striking proof of the discipline he had taught his own corps, that the news of the death, although it spread rapidly and that at a time when the inequality of numbers became apparent, produced no ill effect, led to no disorder, changed no disposition that he had directed and in itself made the men only the more eager to carry out his orders." When he died, the battle was still taking place, and his corps still needed a guide to help achieve the objective. So, Buford sent word, "For God's sake, send up Hancock. Everything at odds. Reynolds is killed, and we need a controlling spirit,” to try and win the first day. (Gettysburg First-Person Accounts