The Importance Of Cutler's Brigade In The Gettysburg Battle

The ability of Cutler’s Brigade to repel multiple attacks to the northwest of Gettysburg on the first day of battle was instrumental in the Union Army’s success at Gettysburg. Because Cutler’s Brigade was able to stop the enemy from flanking the Division line, the rest of the Army of the Potomac was able to move into position around Gettysburg. This emplacement of the rest of the Union Army around Gettysburg was vital to its success in the Gettysburg campaign; its success in the Gettysburg campaign was vital to the Union victory in the Civil War.
The morning of 1 July 1963 saw Cutler’s Brigade (2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps) camped out near Marsh Creek, on the road from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg. Upon entering the greater Gettysburg area, Cutler received instruction to move towards the left, to the northwest of the city. Cutler’s Brigade moved toward McPherson’s ridge, where General Buford’s Cavalry Division faced off
2nd brigade was the tip of the spear moving forward into position, and the right flank for the whole day up until 1400 in the afternoon. Holding this position was vital, as any enemy flanking around the back of the First Division could have destroyed the First corps, and probably ruined the Union army’s chances of defending Gettysburg. Cutler’s brigade also played a vital role in defending the path back to Cemetery Hill—Cutler’s 84th, 95th, and 147th regiments worked alongside Bankhead’s command to allow the whole of the First and Second Division of the First Corps, as well as the Eleventh corps, to retire to Cemetery Hill for the night. Had General Ewell’s corps been able to harass these units while retreating, the casualty count could have been much higher. Lee had won most of the battles of the war going into the Gettysburg campaign; had he succeeded in a battle so far to the north, the Union army might have not been able to muster the will power to defeat