There have been endless books written on the military decisions of Gettysburg. Endless books on the actual maneuvers themselves. Most are macro, what each battalion or regiment did. What the generals decided. Very few discuss the battle at the micro level, the average soldier. Here is a selection of comments from the men themselves, some officers but mostly your average soldier, as noted in their diaries or letters home after the battle.
On the Weather
During the March to Gettysburg (because infantry always talks about the weather):
“Our regiment came in from picket, packed up and marched by platoons through Fredrick. Passed through Liberty at 6 o’clock. Went about 3 miles and camped. Rainy all day.” Albert Bois, 4th Michigan Infantry, June 29, 1863
“Rained some had plenty mud to wade all day. Boys all tired” Franklin Horner, 12 PA Reserve Voluntary Army. June 30, 1863
On Meade Replacing Hooker:
“Maj. Gen. Hooker is now relieved from command of the Army of the Potomac by Maj. Gen. Meade of the 5th Army Corps”. Private Ira Pettit, 11th Regiment, US Army
“General Hooker is relieved from the comman of the Army of the Potomac, and General Meade takes his place. I think such a change in the very fact of the enemy is injurious to the service” Surgeon Henry Van Arnam, 154th NY State Volunteers
On the First Day of Battle:
“At five o’clock July 1, 1863 the 5th corps were at Hanover, Pennyslviania when the order came to proceed to Gettysburg where the battle had already comenced with the Rebels under Gen. Lee.” Sgt. John Bancroft, 4th Michigan Infantry.
“Iverson’s Brigade advanced toward the well hidden Union troops. When Iverson’s troops were within one-hundred yards, Baxter’s Brigade rose up and delivered a withering fire.” John W. Brendel, 11th Pennsylvania Voluntary Infantry
“The next morning we heard the booming of cannon in the direction of Gettysburg where the 11th and 1st Corps were fighting, and soon took up our line of march in that direction, reaching the field about sundown, and formed in line of battle, and took our positions and rested until morning” Corporal Hudson Jennings, 137th Regiment NY State Volunteers
On the Second Day of Battle:
“Very near did cannon balls come to me and pieces of shell flew within two feet certain of my head.” Captain Josiah C. Fuller, 32nd Massachusetts Volunteers
“ We advanced acrost the wheat field to the woods and opened fire upon the few rebw in our front while the force comign on our flank came in collision with the right of the regiment in the woods and being checked here a little, the other points of the line advancing, they were soon on all sides of us.” Sgt. John Bancroft
“About sundown ...Through some mistake, the line at the right of our Regiment was left unprotected, and the enemy came unrestricted in tour works, and pured a heavy fire into the right flank and rear of our Regiment and we were obliged to move to the left.” Corporal Hudson
“ The Battle was awful. our group was very busy charging the enemies left flank.” John, 3rd PA Cavalry
On the Final Day of Battle:
“Went on Picket in front the Rebs hard fighting on the right the unionist are successful” Sgt. Henry Chaffee, 4th Mchigan Infantry
“ We stayed on the hill all day without fighting any battle last all day the heaviest artilery fight commenced at two P.M. ad lasted for two hours the rebs got the worst of the fight they a great many prisoners.” Franklin Horner
“In that action, my Brother fell fighting most nobly, in command of Battery "H," 4th U.S. Artillery” Lt. Commander William B. Cushing, USNA referring to his brother Alonzo Cushing, killed during Pickett’s Charge, defending the Angle. Alonzo Cushing would be awarded the Medal of Honor in 2010.
On the 4th of July 1863:
“No firing, not even national salutes.” Private Ira Pettit.
“I am "sitting on a rail" but can hardly realize tis 4th of July. Am all wet with sweat and don't feel good on that account. Tis so sticky and disagreeable, otherwise I am first rate, and we can hurrah with good grace, for yesterday, we gave the rebs a severe drubbing” Captain Josiah H. Fuller, 32nd Massachusetts Volunteers
“We spent the 4th of July standing in the rain in great suspense as to our next move. ... I think we have whipped them this time, even if we never did before.” John Willian, 6th Reg. NJ Volunteers
Works Cited: 35 Days to Gettysburg: The Campaign Diaries of Tow American Enemies by Mark NesbittDiary of Albert BoisThe Diary of a Dead Man,, 1862-1864, compiled by J.P. RayLetters Hom:e A Collection of Original Civil War Soldiers LettersDiary of John BancroftA Civil War Journey: The Letters of John W. Brendel by Justin T. MayhueDiary of Henry ChaffeeSea Eagle: The Civil War Memori of LCdr William B. Cushing U.S.N. edited by Alden R. Carter