The Gettysburg Documents

Paper Summary:

The paper analyzes the documents "The First Day at the Battle of Gettysburg" and "The Third Day". These sources chronicle the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-4, 1863, from the first-person experience of the two writers. The paper relates that the document "The First Day" covers the battle from the Union point of view and experience, and as a source for information on the battle, is a credible and genuine source. The paper shows how the second source that discusses the third day of battle at Gettysburg is also a genuine article created by an actual participant. The paper concludes that both articles are interesting to read and would contribute towards a better understanding of both sides during this pivotal battle.

From the Paper:

"This document is significant for any number of reasons. First, it is a first person account of the actual first day of battle at Gettysburg, which proved to be a pivotal point in the Civil War. It is also significant for the amount of detail it contains, which can aid the historical researcher in any number of ways - from understanding the configuration of the battle and the participants, to giving a deeper comprehension of the significance of the battle to both North and South."
"The originality of the document is certainly without question. It is a first hand account of the battle, and while there are indeed similar documents, it stands on its own in its detail, complexity, and importance to historical research."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Doubleday, Abner and Gallager, Gary W. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, New York: Da Capo Press. 124-155. (1994).
• Meade, George Gordon. "The Battle of Gettysburg": From The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Major General United States Army. New York: George Gordon Meade. 85-93. (1924).

More papers on The Gettysburg Documents:

• Research Paper # 23725 : "The Battle of Gettysburg"
• Analytical Essay # 124075 : "The Gettysburg Address"
• Essay # 30954 : "How Does Point of View Shape What We Readers See?"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: