The Fog of Gettysburg: The Myths and Mysteries of the Battle
Illustrated, order of battle, bibliography, notes, softcover, 288 pp., 2008. Cumberland House Publishing, 431 Harding Industrial Dr., Nashville, TN 37211, $16.95 plus shipping. Ken Allers Jr. has compiled a nice little book in his The Fog of Gettysburg. It is well-written, informative (though some readers might disagree with some of his conclusions) easy-reading and relatively typo free. The volume contains five major sections each concentrating on a portion of the battle — Prelude, Day One, Day Two, Day Three and the Aftermath. Allers discusses many of the incidents of the Gettysburg Campaign, though some this reviewer wonders about. For example, who was Pvt. George Sandoe and was he the first casualty of the battle? Perhaps he was the last casualty leading up to the battle. What happened to A.P. Hill and why was his performance so poor during the battle (not discussed is the General’s terminal case of gonorrhea)? The author also discusses the cavalry battles around Gettysburg during the three days, but unfortunately leaves out Hunterstown. Maybe that was Allers’ aim, to make me wonder. Other myths and mysteries include Jenny Wade and if she was a Southern sympathizer, where exactly Reynolds was shot, a section that includes the story of the remote possibility he was killed by “friendly fire.” Also included are stories of “the shoes,” Pipe Creek, Harrison, Lee, Stuart, Sickles, John Burns, Chamberlain and Little Round Top, Pickett and, of course, the “Ghosts.” The order of battle is well done, listing the regiments and their commanders as well as their complement and their percent of casualties. The photographs and illustrations are crisp and clear. Despite a publisher’s blurb indicating the book contained four maps, this reviewer’s copy contained none. Allers includes most of the major characters and incidents, some of which might make the reader rethink what he/she has assumed as fact over the years. The Fog of Gettysburg can be read in a short period of time and will be a treat for the Gettysburg buff. Despite my few quibbles I recommend Allers’ work. Reviewer: Blake A. Magner is the Book Review Editor of Civil War News. He makes his living as an editor, writer, cartographer and photographer of Civil War history. He is author of At Peace With Honor: The Civil War Burials of Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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