An authoritative and superbly illustrated exploration of the events of July 3, 1863, incorporating new interpretations that have arisen in the past two decades. The third day of the Battle of Gettysburg was the most dramatic of the three. Among the iconic clashes that took place was the 12,500-man attack known as Pickett's Charge, General Lee's last assault at Gettysburg in which his soldiers suffered over 60 percent losses. Other key moments of the day were the action at Culp's Hill-arguably where the outcome of the battle was decided-the engagement at East Cavalry Field, the two-hour artillery duel, and the Union counterattack at the south end of the battlefield. This final volume in Timothy J. Orr's trilogy emphasizes the tactical decisions of Day Three and documents the ensuing combat in detailed 2D maps, 3D diagrams, and historic photographs. It also includes a brief summary of the strategic and human consequences of the campaign, carrying the story to November 19, 1863, the day of Lincoln's famed Gettysburg Address. Primary accounts from common soldiers infuse this study, reminding readers that Gettysburg was-among other things-a tale of suffering and endurance. The experiences and equipment of these men are brought to life in stunning detail in Steve Noon's dramatic battlescenes.
Timothy M Barrows Knihy



This work provides an authoritative illustrated examination of the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, analyzing both grand strategy, and the tactical decisions of Day Two and the ensuing combat.July 2, 1863 was the bloodiest and most complicated of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg. On this day, the clash involved five divisions of Confederate infantry and their accompanying artillery battalions, as well as a cavalry skirmish at nearby Hunterstown. The bulk of the Union army engaged on the second day of fighting, including men from the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th and 12th Corps.Assisted by superb maps and 3D diagrams, this fascinating work describes the tactical play-by-play, the customary “who did what” of the battle. Among the famous actions covered are Hunterstown and Benner's Hill, Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Rose Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and Culp's and Cemetery hills. The critical decisions taken on the second day are examined in detail, and why the commanders committed to them. Gettysburg was-first and foremost-a soldier's battle, full of raw emotion and high drama, and this work also examines the experience of combat as witnessed by the rank and file, bringing this to life in stunning battlescene artworks and primary accounts from common soldiers.
The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863, in Pennsylvania, resulted in the highest casualties of the American Civil War and marked a pivotal turning point in the conflict. On the first day, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia aimed to annihilate the Union army, pushing its forces through the town and into the hills to the south. The initial clash involved four divisions of Confederate infantry and artillery, totaling around 27,000 troops, against two corps of Union infantry and a cavalry division, amounting to about 22,000. While much of the narrative focuses on tactical details and the actions of commanders, it also highlights the critical decisions made on July 1 and their implications. This volume, the first of three, delves into the combat experience of the soldiers, emphasizing the 'face of battle' as described by John Keegan. Personal accounts from common soldiers underscore that Gettysburg was fundamentally a soldier's battle filled with raw emotion. The study presents the battle chronologically, with chapters organized by key terrain features when multiple actions occurred simultaneously, covering various skirmishes and clashes throughout the conflict.