Hermann Róbert: Kecskemétiek a szabadságharcban IV. Gáspár András honvédtábornok (Kecskemét, 2005)
Gáspár had a typical career of the 1848-49 era. He was an outstanding subaltern officer who, by joining the Hungarian army, was promoted to field officer and then general within the course of a few months. But what kind of a soldier and man was András Gáspár? He told about his distinctions to the military tribunal in Arad; and in fact, he was an outstanding squadron and division commander, as it was shown in the operations against Roth. He proved to be an excellent brigade commander, which is again supported by the battle at Kottor-Domború on 17 th October 1848. His outstanding execution of his military duties as a brigade commander was perfectly matched by his exemplary human conduct, and showed his personal courage in the battles at Friedau on 8 th November, at Mór on 30 th December and at Mezőkövesd on 28 th February in 1848. As a division commander he was in the front line only at Hatvan but by that time he was the one in charge of the corps during the whole course of the battle. It seemed at that time he was in a position that exceeded his military abilities since during the battles at Hatvan on 5 th April, at Aszód on 6 th , at Nagysalló on 19 th and at Kernend on 21 st he did not quite excel. His lack of being regularly trained at higher military institutions put its mark on his activities, and his failure at Hatvan on 5 th April made him more cautious than could rightfully be reasoned. He could not always exercise full control of his corps, and if we can rely on Lajos Zámbelly's memoirs, following the battle at Isaszeg, Gáspár lost control completely. "In his simple ways he was a soldier of great courage and a sincere patriot; - he held his own life cheap, while fearing for his troops always; that was the fault that lay with him!" - István Pongrácz wrote of him. "Gáspár was a commander of great courage and resolution, however, he did not possess any knowledge of waging war, and as a commander of a mounted brigade under the commandership of others could deliver outstandingly. But for being the commander of an army (or rather of corps) he was unfit." Zámbelly Lajos wrote these about him, and added that it had been proven that "with a sword in his hand he is good, but otherwise he is too anxious and hesitant." Zámbelly's description is not quite well meant, but seems to be exact. However, it has to be added, that a majority of the 1848-49 generals advanced rapidly in the military hierarchy, and apart from the military genius Damjanich, all major officers who were promoted to Generals had serious difficulties coping with what their rank and position challenged them with. The same applied even to Görgei and Klapka who did receive training of the general staff. Conducting the activities of several hundred soldiers required more than personal courage, it also called for the capacity of obtaining a comprehensive view, and also the ability of acting as a real strategist. Some possessed these merits, but even they, Guyon, 180
