The Death of General John Reynolds and the Crisis of Union Command, July 1, 1863

This paper evaluates the extent to which the death of Union Major General John Reynolds on the morning of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg influenced subsequent events throughout that day. It explores several key questions, including how Reynolds' death affected the chain of command within the Army of the Potomac, how it impacted the course of the battle on that first day, and how the Union I and XI Corps were reorganized due to the sudden loss of such a high-ranking officer. Additionally, this paper highlights the experiences of the soldiers formerly under Reynolds' command during this rapid command restructuring and examines how the general's death ultimately influenced the overall course of the battle. By analyzing military correspondence, battle reports from both senior and junior officers, as well as various recollections written by those present on the battlefield, this paper argues that while Reynolds' death contributed to the Union crisis of command as the battle unfolded, it was ultimately secondary to the ability of General Lee's forces to concentrate more swiftly and effectively than the portion of the Army of the Potomac present on the field on July 1, 1863.