Dan Sickles: disregarded hero of the Battle of Gettysburg

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dc.contributor.advisorDenning, Robert
dc.contributor.advisorChan, Christopher
dc.contributor.authorGray, James Robert Sr.
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-28T15:50:48Z
dc.date.available2019-01-28T15:50:48Z
dc.date.issued2018-07
dc.description.abstractDan Sickles has been regarded by many historians as a political general who was a buffoon and led his troops into harm’s way at Gettysburg for personal glory. This paper examines Sickles’ early personal history, why that history has led historians to examine Sickles in a critical fashion with a historical lens, and why Sickles has been disregarded as the true hero of Gettysburg. Sickles was a lover of women causing him to perhaps have an affair with his mother-in-law, visit prostitutes, introduce one prostitute to the Queen of England, and ultimate to murder his wife’s lover in a rage that allowed him to be acquitted on an insanity defense. Sickles entered the Civil War looking to redeem his reputation and develop a military hero role for himself. Gettysburg would allow him the opportunity for that role, but events and his own future behaviors would prevent historians to view him in the role of hero. General Daniel Sickles has largely been criticized for his positioning of his troops on Day Two of the Battle of Gettysburg. However careful review of his personal history, his military experience prior to Gettysburg and his actions during the battle are all consistent with a general who correctly interpreted the situation and moved to prevent a Union defeat at Gettysburg. This paper will examine his early development as a politician, the murder of his wife's lover and entry into the service in the attempt to recover his reputation. The paper will review the effects of prior military actions he was involved in including the Peninsular Campaign, and Chancellorsville that influenced his actions at Gettysburg. Finally, the paper will examine his actions at Gettysburg, the effect on the Confederate attack, and prove the conclusion that General Sickles correctly positioned his troops and prevented a Union defeat. (Author abstract)en_US
dc.description.bibliographicCitationGray, J.R. (2018). Dan Sickles: disregarded hero of the Battle of Gettysburg. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduen_US
dc.description.degreeMaster Artsen_US
dc.description.programHistoryen_US
dc.description.schoolCollege of Online and Continuing Educationen_US
dc.digSpecsPDF/A-1ben_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10474/3309
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherSouthern New Hampshire Universityen_US
dc.relation.requiresAdobe Acrobat Readeren_US
dc.rightsAuthor retains all ownership rights. Further reproduction in violation of copyright is prohibiteden_US
dc.rightsHolderGray, James Robert Sr.
dc.subject.lcshSouthern New Hampshire University -- Theses (History)en_US
dc.subject.otherHistoryen_US
dc.subject.otherBarkasdale, Williamen_US
dc.subject.otherSickles, Daniel Edgaren_US
dc.subject.otherBattle of Gettysburg, second dayen_US
dc.subject.otherBattle of Gettysburgen_US
dc.subject.otherGettysburg (PA)en_US
dc.subject.otherLittle Round Top (PA)en_US
dc.subject.otherMeade, George Gordonen_US
dc.titleDan Sickles: disregarded hero of the Battle of Gettysburgen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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