Frank Aretas Haskell - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Frank Aretas Haskell (1828-1864) was an American military officer and chronicler whose eyewitness account of the Battle of Gettysburg stands as one of the most compelling and historically significant primary sources of the American Civil War. As a Union Army officer serving on the staff of Brigadier General John Gibbon, Haskell provided what historians consider the most detailed and eloquent description of Pickett's Charge, the decisive moment of the pivotal battle.
Born in Tunbridge, Vermont, to a farming family with deep New England roots, Haskell graduated from Dartmouth College in 1854 and subsequently moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he practiced law. When the Civil War erupted, he volunteered for the Union Army and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. His intellectual background and keen observational skills would later prove invaluable in documenting the war's most crucial battle.
Haskell's fame rests primarily on his 68-page letter to his brother, written shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, which combines military precision with literary flourish to capture both the strategic complexity and human drama of the conflict. His account, later published as "The Battle of Gettysburg," is distinguished by its vivid imagery, tactical insight, and emotional depth, offering readers an unprecedented view into the chaos and courage of Civil War combat. Of particular note is his minute-by-minute description of Pickett's Charge, where his position near the center of the Union line provided him with a panoramic view of the Confederate assault.
Though Haskell survived Gettysburg and was promoted to colonel, his promising military career and potential as a chronicler were cut short when he was killed leading a charge at the Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864. His Gettysburg account, published posthumously in 1898, continues to influence modern understanding of the battle and serves as a testament to the power of firsthand historical narratives. Contemporary historians and military scholars still debate the subtle details and interpretations within his account, highlighting how personal testimony can shape our understanding of pivotal historical moments. Haskell's legacy endures not only as a brave soldier but as an astute observer whose words bridge the gap between military history and human experience.