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Book Reviews These are some reviews from a recent issue of
The Civil War News:
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by James E. Thomas.
Illustrated, maps, suggested reading list, 80 pp., 2005. Thomas Publications, P.O. Box 3031, Gettysburg, PA 17325, $8.95 plus shipping.
This informative volume opens with a general overview of the actions of July 1, 1863, beginning with Heth’s foray toward town and his meeting with Buford’s cavalry. Because of Buford’s holding action, a portion of the Union First Corps was able to reach the battlefield and McPherson’s Ridge where later fighting became intense. As the day continued portions of the Confederate Second Corps moved onto the heights at the northern end of McPherson’s Ridge threatening the federal right. When the Eleventh Corps reached the battlefield it moved onto the plains north of town. Here they met more Confederates from Ewell’s command who eventually drove the Federals back in retreat. Eventually the Federals along McPherson’s Ridge were also forced back to the Lutheran Seminary. The two corps then combined and via separate directions swarmed through the town in a mass retreat. Thomas divides these actions into three walking tours, each two to three miles in length. The first begins near Reynolds’ Woods, moves down the Chambersburg Pike to the area of the Buford Monument, along the line of the Iron Brigade and back to the starting point. The tour then continues in the other direction along the Chambersburg Pike toward Lee’s Headquarters at the Thompson house, south through the Seminary grounds, out the Fairfield Road to Reynolds’ Avenue and back to the starting point. The second tour covers the right of the Federal line on McPherson’s Ridge and the Confederate movement onto Oak Hill and Oak Ridge. Walkers exit their car near the railroad cut and view the actions there before moving up Buford Avenue to the Peace Light Memorial. After recrossing the Mummasburg Road the tour continues down Doubleday Avenue near the positions of Henry Baxter and Gabriel Paul before returning to the railroad. The final tour is the area held by the Eleventh Corps. Here readers walk down Howard Avenue past the monument to Dilger’s Battery then onto Barlow’s Knoll. Then after traveling down the Harrisburg Road to Coster Avenue and the small Park Service property there, readers will pass through Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) College and back to their car. Each tour has side excursions. To name just three, one goes to Willoughby Run and the Katalysine Springs Hotel bridge, another goes to the Salem Artillery plaque and Confederate defensive works near the railroad cut on Oak Ridge and a third goes to the 54th New York marker near Rock Creek north of Barlow’s Knoll. This is a well-written and thought-out volume and I recommend it for both the casual and well-seasoned visitor. The photographs are crisp and clear, the maps well-drawn. One strong suggestion is that readers use caution, as they will often be walking roads with heavy vehicular traffic. The next time you visit Gettysburg pick up a copy of this book, take a walk, learn something and lose some of those calories you ate or drank at the local tavern the night before.
Blake A. Magner
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