One of the most tragic consequences of leadership conflict in the Civil War occurred on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg. The commanding general of the Army of the Potomac’s Third Corps, Major General Daniel Sickles, a controversial figure with a history of scandal, openly defied orders from General Meade.
Meade had instructed Sickles to position his Third Corps along Cemetery Ridge, anchoring the Union left flank. However, Sickles disagreed with the order and, without permission, moved his corps forward to what he believed was a superior position. This act of insubordination and defiance led to catastrophic consequences.
When the Confederate attack began, Sickles’ position was overextended and unsupported. His corps suffered massive casualties. In his book Gettysburg, the Second Day, author Harry W. Pfanz wrote, “Sickles’s two divisions reported 593 officers and enlisted men killed, 3,029 wounded, and 589 missing.” Sickles himself was severely wounded and lost his leg in the battle while he was near the Trostle Farm (photo by the author).
This incident serves as a stark reminder: leadership is about discipline and trust. Personal conflicts and defiance in leadership do not just affect individuals, they can lead to disastrous consequences for the entire team. A leader’s personal opinions should never override strategic orders, especially in high-stakes situations.
Leadership is not about individual ambition or ego; it is about serving the mission and protecting the people you lead.
