Gettysburg--Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill

by Harry W. Pfanz

Overview

In this companion to his celebrated earlier book, Gettysburg—The Second Day, Harry Pfanz provides the first definitive account of the fighting between the Army of the Potomac and Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill—two of the most critical engagements fought at Gettysburg on 2 and 3 July 1863. Pfanz provides detailed tactical accounts of each stage of the contest and explores the interactions between—and decisions made by—generals on both sides. In particular, he illuminates Confederate lieutenant general Richard S. Ewell's controversial decision not to attack Cemetery Hill after the initial southern victory on 1 July. Pfanz also explores other salient features of the fighting, including the Confederate occupation of the town of Gettysburg, the skirmishing in the south end of town and in front of the hills, the use of breastworks on Culp's Hill, and the small but decisive fight between Union cavalry and the Stonewall Brigade.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807849965
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	07/02/2001
Series:	Civil War America
Edition description:	1
Pages:	528
Sales rank:	942,883
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.18(d)
Lexile:	1340L (what's this?)

About the Author

Harry W. Pfanz is author of Gettysburg—The First Day and Gettysburg—The Second Day. A lieutenant, field artillery, during World War II, he served for ten years as a historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and retired from the position of Chief Historian of the National Park Service in 1981.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Two Generals and Their Armies
2. The Only Position
3. Ewell and Howard Collide
4. Retreat to Cemetery Hill
5. The Rebels Take the Town
6. Ewell Hesitates
7. Slocum and Hancock Reach the Field
8. Getting Ready for the Fight
9. Skirmishers, Sharpshooters, and Civilians
10. Brinkerhoff's Ridge
11. The Artillery, 2 July
12. Blunder on the Right
13. Johnson Attacks!
14. Early Attacks Cemetery Hill
15. Cemetery Hill—The Repulse
16. Culp's Hill—Johnson's Assault, 3 July
17. The Last Attacks
18. Counterattacks near Spangler's Spring
19. 3 July, Mostly Afternoon
20. Epilogue

Appendix A. Spangler's Spring
Appendix B. Two Controversies
Appendix C. Order of Battle: Army of the Potomac and Army of Northern Virginia, 1-3 July 1863

Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This book will easily become a basic reference work for the most written-about battle in American history. It will also become popular because it is so readable."—James Robertson, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Editorial Reviews

A definitive reconstruction of the fighting in a sector which has been neglected by historians. . . . A book that Civil War buffs and scholars will greet with enthusiasm. ("Publishers Weekly")

A meticulous examination of the desperate engagements that over the course of the three days swept up and down the rough slopes of these two hills, the strategic anchors of the Union right flank. ("New York Times Book Review")

Authoritative, exhaustive, and interesting. ("Journal of American History")

Civil War enthusiasts should clear a space on their bookshelf for "Gettysburg--Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill" and place it next to the author's first work. ("Blue and Gray")

Rich with astute judgments about officers on each side, clearly written, and graced with excellent maps, Pfanz's book is tactical history at its finest. ("Civil War")

From the Publisher

Civil War enthusiasts should clear a space on their bookshelf for Gettysburg—Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill and place it next to the author's first work.

Blue and Gray

Authoritative, exhaustive, and interesting.

Journal of American History

Rich with astute judgments about officers on each side, clearly written, and graced with excellent maps, Pfanz's book is tactical history at its finest.

Civil War

A meticulous examination of the desperate engagements that over the course of the three days swept up and down the rough slopes of these two hills, the strategic anchors of the Union right flank.

New York Times Book Review

Pfanz follows Gettysburg--The Second Day with a definitive reconstruction of the fighting in a sector which has been neglected by historians. In early July 1863, the Union right wing was based on Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill. Had the Confederates broken through these positions, Pickett's charge would have been unnecessary. The South nearly succeeded in a series of attacks between July 1 and 3. Pfanz describes Richard Ewell's failure to storm Cemetery Hill on July 1 as a reflection of command friction rather than of incompetence. It nevertheless gave Union troops the respite they needed. Pfanz, a master at describing the tactical details that shaped Civil War battles, is especially adept at evaluating the commanders. Union generals Alpheus Williams and Adolph von Stinewehr and Confederates like ``Maryland'' Steuart and ``Extra Billy'' Smith emerge in full dimension in a book that Civil War buffs and scholars will greet with enthusiasm. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this companion to his earlier Gettysburg--The Second Day, Pfanz provides an authoritative account of the fighting between the Army of the Potomac and Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill, two of the most critical engagements at Gettysburg on 2 and 3 July 1863. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews