So much has been written about Gettysburg, goes the well-worn cliche, that there is nothing new left to write. The Second Day at Gettysburg: The Attack and Defense of Cemetery Ridge, July 2, 1863, by David L. Shultz and Scott L. Mingus Sr. aptly demonstrates that there is indeed still much to learn about the war's largest and bloodiest battle.
Based upon a faulty early-morning reconnaissance, General Robert E. Lee decided to attack up the Emmitsburg Road in an effort to collapse the left flank of General George Meade's Army of the Potomac and decisively defeat it. The effort got underway when General James Longstreet's First Corps troops crushed General Sickles' Peach Orchard salient and turned north and east to drive deeply into the Union rear. A third Confederate division under Richard Anderson, part of A. P. Hill's Third Corps, joined in the attack, slamming one brigade after another into the overstretched Union line stitched northward along the Emmitsburg Road. The bloody fighting stair-stepped its way up Cemetery Ridge, tearing open a large gap in the center of the Federal line that threatened to split the Union army in two. The fate of the Battle of Gettysburg hung in the balance.
Despite the importance of the position, surprisingly few Union troops were available to defend the yawning gap on the ridge. Major General Winfield S. Hancock's Second Corps had been reduced to less than one division when his other two were sucked southward to reinforce the collapsing Third Corps front. Reprising Horatio at the Bridge, the gallant commander cobbled together a wide variety of infantry and artillery commands and threw them into the action, refusing to yield even one acre of ground. The long and intense fighting included hand-to-hand combat and the personal heroics of which legends are made.
Veteran Gettysburg authors Shultz and Mingus merge their subject matter expertise and keen understanding of the complex undulating terrain and physical features to produce the most detailed study of this action ever written. In addition to demonstrating how the fighting on the far Union left directly affected the combat to come in the center of General Meade's line, the authors also address some of the most commonly overlooked aspects of the fighting: what routes did some of the key units take to reach the front? What could the commanders actually see, and when could they see it? How did the fences, roads, farms, trees, ravines, creeks, and others obstacles directly affect tactical decisions, and ultimately the battle itself?
Based upon extensive research and graced with dozens of photographs and detailed original maps, The Second Day at Gettysburg offers a balanced, compelling, and ultimately satisfying account of one of the most overlooked and yet important aspects of the defining battle of the American Civil War.
With the extensive nature of the primary and secondary source material and the fascination and importance of the subject, there always is something to learn about the battle of Gettysburg. Historians say that the battle is "overdetermined" by the wealth of source material which means simply that it can be studied from a variety of perspectives. This new study, "The Second Day at Gettysburg: The Attack and defense of Cemetery Ridge, July 2, 1863" (2015) focuses on the Union center during the pivotal day of the three-day battle. The authors, David Shultz and Scott Mingus are well-known students of Gettysburg who have written extensively on the battle. Shultz has an extensive knowledge of artillery which is put to excellent use in this new book.
The Union center and its Copse of Trees is well-known to even casual students of the battle because it was the focus of Pickett's Charge on July 3. The center was also critical to the July 2 battle. Perhaps more so than Pickett's Charge, the July 2 attack on the Union center deserves to be known as the "high water mark" of the Confederacy.
The fighting on July 2 receives a great deal of attention in books and in Gettysburg tours. Most accounts of the battle on that day concentrate on Little Round Top and on associated actions of Longstreet's Corps against the Union left, including Devil's Den and the Wheatfield. These actions on July 2 receive only passing mention in this study. Readers looking for a history of the attack and defense of Little Round Top, for example, will not find it here. Another smaller group of studies examines the fighting late in the day on the Union right at Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill. Again, this book devotes little attention to this part of the day. All these actions were all important, but the key fight late in the afternoon for the Union center often receives less attention than it deserves. Schultz's and Mingus' book is one of a small number of studies that focus on it in detail. The book offers a detailed view of the fighting at the center of the Union line on July 2 and of the events leading up to it. The study examines a great many aspects of the battle that, with the welter of writing, are not always fully considered. In their introduction, the authors write:
"Our analysis examines the overall cause and effect of the command decisions made that day, with special attention paid to the routes taken by the troops involved, and how the varying terrain and ubiquitous physical impediments like fences, farms, and roads affected the fighting. Battles are not always decided by superior firepower, positioning, or morale, although these can (and usually do) prove decisive. Other human elements, such as how orders are interpreted, inadequate or inaccurate reconnaissance reports, the poor coordination of troops movements, a lack of clarity regarding objectives, and spur-of-the moment tactical decisions made in the overall understanding of the general plan, influence, and sometimes dictate, the outcome."
Each of the factors the authors identify in the above passage plays a significant role in the study and in the battle's outcome.
The book includes substantial consideration of events prior to the July 2 fighting beginning with the Confederacy's decision to invade Pennsylvania. This material has been covered frequently but it is essential to understanding the authors' approach to July 2. The study offers fresh, focused insight in how the battle developed, the lack of information about the terrain and about opposing forces, and about the movement of the troops on both sides into the positions they occupied at the time of the July 2 battle. The ineptitude of the Confederacy's high artillery command (Parson Pendleton) as compared with the Union's (Henry Hunt) together with the advantageous fields of fire the topography offered to the Union long arm receive emphasis throughout. The early portion of the book moves slowly at times, but there is much to be learned from the detail.
The book gains in momentum and drama as it proceeds. On the Union side, the study focuses on Sickle's near disastrous move of his Third Corps. On the Confederate side, the study emphasizes the lack of coordination and of unified action in the Confederate high command beginning with General Lee and working down through Corps and Divisions. The book describes Barksdale's charge as part of Longstreet's efforts up the Emmitsburg Road but the actions of Anderson's Division of A.P. Hill's Corps receive even more attention. Hill's Corps was to join Longstreet's in the attack on the Union center. Portions of Anderson's Division fought gallantly and perhaps might have turned the battle if they had been properly supported. This study shows what these troops did and helps to explain why coordination with other troops in the center of the line failed. The account of the battle gains in intensity, drama, and readability as it progresses. The many maps, prepared by cartographer Phil Laino, and historical photographs add to the text and help the reader understand the events discussed.
The hero figure in this study is Union General Winfield Scott Hancock. Hancock is ever-present in this book, patching holes in the Union center, moving and coordinating the troops, and encouraging the soldiers with his very presence. Hancock was truly an inspiring presence and the authors' admiration for him comes through on almost every page. Other doughty figures from the Union that achieve recognition include the famous First Minnesota, Stannard's Brigade of Vermonters, and Willard's Brigade, which sought to redeem itself from the charge of cowardice leveled against it at Harper's Ferry. The book concludes with the repulse of the Confederate efforts in the left and center and with a moving discussion of the human cost of the battle.
This book is a study of military history and includes little about the political dimensions of the Civil War. There are those who object to exclusively military studies of the Civil War, but I find there is much to be learned from them about our country and its ideals. Shultz and Mingus have helped me think about the battle in an expanded way. I have always wanted to know more about the Union center and about the debated question of whether portions of Anderson's troops were able, however briefly and futilely, to reach the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Because of the specific focus of this study on the Union center and the dense nature of much of the writing, this book will be of most interest to readers with a good working knowledge of the battle in its entirety. The book is published by Savas Beatie, and the publisher kindly sent me a review copy.
A remarkable book. I have read a number of books looking at the second day of Gettysburg; I have read quite a few books about the whole battle--with considerable discussion of the second day. And this ranks as one of the very best volumes on the subject.
There is a very detailed description of events taking place at different parts of the battlefield. The book examines a number of issues: the slow start of James Longstreet's corps to the front; the erroneous view of Robert E. Lee as to the position of the Union forces; Dan Sickle's reckless advance of his Third Corps, throwing the whole Federal line out of balance; the role of Winfield Scott Hancock (living up to his sobriquet of "The Superb"); the place of Division commander General Richard Anderson's brigades; the critical use of artillery--especially by the Union; the apparent unraveling of the Federal forces at any number of points--and the ability to plug gaps even as they seemed to invite Confederate victory; the role of the two corps wrecked on the first day--especially the First Corps.
In short, a tour de force. Richly detailed.
One quibble: I always like an order of battle to remind me of which units are involved and who the commanders were. There is an abundance of maps, always to the good. And these maps are interpretable. It irritates me when I read a book on a major battle and the maps are not very helpful.
In the end, this is a welcome addition to my Civil War library. . . .
Huzzah! A detailed examination of an oft overlooked part of the Gettysburg battle. Crunchy with relevantly woven nuggets of detail, and savory with expansive vistas of the action. The author successfully pulls off the difficult task of presenting the level those of us familiar with the battle appreciate without descending into an unnavigable morass of tedious recitation, while providing just the right amount of overview to provide perspective without belaboring what is obvious to the aficionado.
The research and care put into this work are evident. We hear from individual soldiers all the way to army commanders. The echelon attack of the confederate center upon the lower portions of Cemetery Hill surge forth, their power tangible and are met with the violence of the righteous, shattered and subdued by an army that rises to the moment. If you are familiar with the battle you will want to read this book.
Excellent account of the action on day 2 that wasn’t Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, or Little Round Top. Good to see some clarification on such an important part of the battle, with acknowledgement to Lee’s real plan.
This is a really great history of July 2nd, 1863. The narrative is concise and presented in such a way to allow the reader a full understanding of the troop movements and their participation in the battle. The maps are the very best quality.
Visiting the field many times I never spent time in the middle where the book treats. I look forward to my next trip to walk these areas and read the monuments. Book is a treat for serious students of Day 2.
When I first saw that this book was being written, I was excited. Most people would not bat an eye at a book about the second day at Gettysburg, but this book dealt with an area which has been largely ignored in history. Most books focus on the southern end of the battle where many names ring out true: Chamberlain, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, and Hood. But this book deals with the center of the Union fishhook; most coverage on the center of the fishhook has to do with the action on the third day of combat. This book gives the reader some much-needed treatment regarding the overall study of the Battle of Gettysburg.
David L. Schultz has written many books, articles, and other writings on the Civil War including Double Canister at Ten Yards: The Federal Artillery and the Repulse of Pickett’s Charge, and co-authored Guide to Pennsylvania Troops at Gettysburg with Richard Rollins. He is the recipient of numerous awards including citations from the House of Representatives and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Scott L. Mingus Sr. is a scientist and executive in the paper industry. He has written many books surrounding the Gettysburg campaign including Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River, June 1863, Confederate General William “Extra Billy” Smith, and Human Interest Stories of the Battle of Gettysburg Volumes I and II. He was awarded the Nathan Bedford Forrest Southern History Award and the Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. Literary Prize for his work on Confederate General William Smith.
The book begins with an overview with what has happened so far up to the second day of combat during the Battle of Gettysburg and while this may seem unnecessary at first, there are many important points made which are pertinent to the rest of the book. When the coverage on the second day of combat begins, Schultz and Mingus show the reader that all was not quiet on the part of the battlefield. The authors do pay attention to what else is going on the field, but the book shines when talking about the activity on Cemetery Ridge. This book proves that the adage, “there is nothing new to learn about Gettysburg” is false. One of the points which stood out to me through this text was the treatment given to the Bliss Farm which was destroyed during the battle. There are a few small monuments out on the field to commemorate where the Farm once stood, but nothing remains, and that includes writings on the action there. Schultz and Mingus give it a fair analysis into the second day’s action in that part of the field. In the end, what we have here is a comprehensive work on the second day’s fight at Cemetery Ridge that is invaluable to any Gettysburg student.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg. So many historians have quoted Little Round Top as the saving grace of the Union, but after reading this book, I am not so sure the efforts of one area of fighting was crucial to the second day of combat. The fighting here at Cemetery Ridge is definitely worth looking over and appreciating for what happened there. The authors make the action come alive with a sweeping narrative, fueled by excellent maps and photographs. When visiting Gettysburg, this is a must to not only have read, but to take with you in order to understand the terrain more so than before. This is a welcome addition to the Civil War academia.
A great addition to their first book, "Battle between the farm lanes". The first part of this book is amazing. I have read many books about Gettysburg, but this is the first to go into such detail about the arrival and placement of troops from the evening of July 1, through the afternoon of July 2. It's an almost minute by minute account of when the troops arrived and there movements afterwards.
Then the details of the generals and their staff officers during those hours answers a lot of questions about why things went so wrong for both sides on July 2.
However the most amazing part of this book for me where the chapters covering Lee's reconnaissance of the union left flank on the evening of the first and morning and afternoon of the next day. This has been covered in many books about Gettysburg, but nothing close to this detail. It shows how poorly served Lee was by his staff, and is the main reason things went wrong for his army that day.