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Emerging Civil War
Stay and Fight it Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, Culp’s Hill and the North End of the Battlefield
July 1, 1863, had gone poorly for the Union army's XI Corps. Shattered in battle north of the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg, the battered and embarrassed unit ended the day hunkered at the crest of a cemetery-topped hill south of the village. Reinforcements fortified the position, which extended eastward to include another key piece of high ground, Culp's Hill. The Federal line also extended southward down Cemetery Ridge, forming what eventually became a long fishhook.
July 2 saw a massive Confederate attack against the southernmost part of the line. As the Southern juggernaut rolled inexorably northward, Federal troops shifted away from Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill to meet the threat. Just then, the Army of Northern Virginia's vaunted Second Corps launched itself at the weakened Federal right. The very men who, just the day before, broke the Union army resolved to break it once again.
The ensuing struggle--every bit as desperate and with stakes every bit as high as the more-famous fight at Little Round Top on the far end of the line--left the entire Union position in the balance. -Stay and fight it out, - one Union general counseled.
Confederates were all too willing to oblige.
Authors Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis started their Gettysburg account in Don't Give an Inch: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863--from Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge. Picking up on the heels of its companion volume, Stay and Fight It Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863--Culp's Hill and the Northern End of the Battlefield they recount the often-overlooked fight that secured the Union position and set the stage for the battle's fateful final day.
July 2 saw a massive Confederate attack against the southernmost part of the line. As the Southern juggernaut rolled inexorably northward, Federal troops shifted away from Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill to meet the threat. Just then, the Army of Northern Virginia's vaunted Second Corps launched itself at the weakened Federal right. The very men who, just the day before, broke the Union army resolved to break it once again.
The ensuing struggle--every bit as desperate and with stakes every bit as high as the more-famous fight at Little Round Top on the far end of the line--left the entire Union position in the balance. -Stay and fight it out, - one Union general counseled.
Confederates were all too willing to oblige.
Authors Chris Mackowski, Kristopher D. White, and Daniel T. Davis started their Gettysburg account in Don't Give an Inch: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863--from Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge. Picking up on the heels of its companion volume, Stay and Fight It Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863--Culp's Hill and the Northern End of the Battlefield they recount the often-overlooked fight that secured the Union position and set the stage for the battle's fateful final day.
192 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2025
This highly readable account presents the setting up of the Confederates' (failed) plan to overtake the areas of Culp's Hill and East Cemetery Hill, which were fortified by the Federal troops. The topography is discussed and maps interspersed aid the reader in understanding how this important action played out on July 2, 1863.
The title of the book is a quote from General Henry W. Slocum, which is carved on the base of the Slocum equestrian monument at Gettysburg, dedicated in 1902. The monument is situated on the northern slope of the hill.
I found the book overall to be very worth my purchase. I especially appreciated the appendices. There is a Gettysburg town walking tour, a Culp's Hill driving tour, and notes about very recent conservation and restoration efforts to the area.
The title of the book is a quote from General Henry W. Slocum, which is carved on the base of the Slocum equestrian monument at Gettysburg, dedicated in 1902. The monument is situated on the northern slope of the hill.
I found the book overall to be very worth my purchase. I especially appreciated the appendices. There is a Gettysburg town walking tour, a Culp's Hill driving tour, and notes about very recent conservation and restoration efforts to the area.
January 2, 2024
Part of the Emerging Civil War series from Savas Beatie, this book provides an overview of the oft overlooked fighting that took place on Culp’s Hill and East Cemetery Hill on July 2 during the Battle of Gettysburg. The books in this series are not intended as exhaustive studies of the subject, but rather serve as overviews, enough for the lay student to gain an understanding while providing the more serious student plenty of prompts for further study.
One thing to note is that this book states in the subtitle that this is not about Culp’s Hill generally but rather the action of July 2 only. This is not the place to get an overview survey of the action on that part of the battlefield.
As usual, one of the best parts of the ECW series are the appendices. Two separate tours are included, both with interesting notes and anecdotes about familiar, and maybe not as familiar, Gettysburg points of interest.
Both Mackowski and White enjoy sterling reputations, and Savas Beatie has done much to support the Civil War community, but this book is not their best effort. There are quite a few typos and mistakes, including the complete misnumbering of the Culp’s Hill tour. In addition are some substantive mistakes such as renaming Elizabeth Thorn “Catherine” and doing so repeatedly. (Catherine was her mother). In the introduction, the authors speak to the challenges of getting this book to press. It probably could have used just a bit more time and a finer toothed comb.
One thing to note is that this book states in the subtitle that this is not about Culp’s Hill generally but rather the action of July 2 only. This is not the place to get an overview survey of the action on that part of the battlefield.
As usual, one of the best parts of the ECW series are the appendices. Two separate tours are included, both with interesting notes and anecdotes about familiar, and maybe not as familiar, Gettysburg points of interest.
Both Mackowski and White enjoy sterling reputations, and Savas Beatie has done much to support the Civil War community, but this book is not their best effort. There are quite a few typos and mistakes, including the complete misnumbering of the Culp’s Hill tour. In addition are some substantive mistakes such as renaming Elizabeth Thorn “Catherine” and doing so repeatedly. (Catherine was her mother). In the introduction, the authors speak to the challenges of getting this book to press. It probably could have used just a bit more time and a finer toothed comb.
October 29, 2023
The Fight For Culp's Hill And Cemetery Hill -- July 2, 1863
Over the years I have found a great deal to be learned about the United States from a study of the Civil War and of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863). This new (2023) book in the Emerging Civil War Series. "Stay and Fight it Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg" offers a readable, thoughtful account of the July 2 events on the North end of the Battlefield (the Union right, Confederate left) at Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. This part of the battle is sometimes overlooked as visitors tend to focus on Little Round Top and related actions on the south part of the Battlefield. The title "Stay and Fight it Out" is a quotation from Union Major General Henry Slocum, commander of the Union XIIth Army Corps heavily involved in the defense of the right part of the Union line. The quote aptly describes the courage and fortitude of the troops, North and South.
The authors of this study, Civil War scholars Kristopher White and Chris Mackowski, Ph.D, have written a companion volume "Don't Give an Inch: The Second Day at Gettysburg" which discusses the better-known account of the July 2 battle from Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge.
This new study offers a strong, convincing picture of the critical character of the fighting on the northern front. The fighting was as hard and the stakes were as high as in the south and center. The Union held the heights and seemingly impregnable positions and defended valiantly. On both Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill the Confederacy's valiant but poorly coordinated attacks came close to success and might have broken the Union position. The book tells the story well, with good text, many images of participants, places, and monuments, and clear, useful maps to help the reader follow the action.
The authors set the stage with a discussion of the first day at Gettysburg and with the Army of Northern Virginia's failure to take the high ground at Cemetery and Culp's Hills following its success on July 1. The book stresses how the lack of command coordination plagued Confederate efforts throughout the battle, beginning on July 1 and continuing through the fighting on the northern and southern fronts on July 2. The book stresses the topography of the battlefield, with its heights, rolling hills, streams, and the town of Gettysburg itself and their impact on the battle.
In successive chapters, the authors discuss the early action on the northern front and its intended relationship to the Confederacy's attack on the southern front. Culp's Hill was the northernmost part of the Union line, and Ewell's Second Corps attacked it in the early evening. The fighting was severe and the Union forces outnumbered but the position held. The fighting on Culp's Hill can be highly confusing but it is presented clearly in this book with enough detail to be meaningful. Later that night other elements of Ewell's Corps attacked the neighboring Cemetery Hill. The Union position was formidable but the Confederacy for a moment appeared to break through. The effort failed due at least in part to poor coordination among the Southern commanders.
The book includes several appendices which offer walking tours of Gettysburg a driving tour of Culp's Hill, a study of restoration efforts in recent years on the northern part of the battlefield, and a summary of depictions of Culp's Hill in early art and photography. The book includes an Order of Battle and brief suggestions for further reading.
I remember fondly the time I spent on Culp's Hill trying to understand the fighting. It was gratifying in particular to learn of the restoration efforts subsequent to my last visit. I would love to see Gettysburg again.
The book conveys a strong sense of the ferocity of the battle and of the passion, gallantry, and commitment of the soldiers. The book encourages reflection on the United States and on the ideals which were both preserved and developed in the Civil War. It is valuable to consider the Civil War as our country goes through difficult times. The book is part of a series published by the Emerging Civil War with the aim of giving readers a working understanding of the War's critical events. This book fulfills admirably the goals of the series. The publisher, Savas Beatie, kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
Over the years I have found a great deal to be learned about the United States from a study of the Civil War and of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863). This new (2023) book in the Emerging Civil War Series. "Stay and Fight it Out: The Second Day at Gettysburg" offers a readable, thoughtful account of the July 2 events on the North end of the Battlefield (the Union right, Confederate left) at Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. This part of the battle is sometimes overlooked as visitors tend to focus on Little Round Top and related actions on the south part of the Battlefield. The title "Stay and Fight it Out" is a quotation from Union Major General Henry Slocum, commander of the Union XIIth Army Corps heavily involved in the defense of the right part of the Union line. The quote aptly describes the courage and fortitude of the troops, North and South.
The authors of this study, Civil War scholars Kristopher White and Chris Mackowski, Ph.D, have written a companion volume "Don't Give an Inch: The Second Day at Gettysburg" which discusses the better-known account of the July 2 battle from Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge.
This new study offers a strong, convincing picture of the critical character of the fighting on the northern front. The fighting was as hard and the stakes were as high as in the south and center. The Union held the heights and seemingly impregnable positions and defended valiantly. On both Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill the Confederacy's valiant but poorly coordinated attacks came close to success and might have broken the Union position. The book tells the story well, with good text, many images of participants, places, and monuments, and clear, useful maps to help the reader follow the action.
The authors set the stage with a discussion of the first day at Gettysburg and with the Army of Northern Virginia's failure to take the high ground at Cemetery and Culp's Hills following its success on July 1. The book stresses how the lack of command coordination plagued Confederate efforts throughout the battle, beginning on July 1 and continuing through the fighting on the northern and southern fronts on July 2. The book stresses the topography of the battlefield, with its heights, rolling hills, streams, and the town of Gettysburg itself and their impact on the battle.
In successive chapters, the authors discuss the early action on the northern front and its intended relationship to the Confederacy's attack on the southern front. Culp's Hill was the northernmost part of the Union line, and Ewell's Second Corps attacked it in the early evening. The fighting was severe and the Union forces outnumbered but the position held. The fighting on Culp's Hill can be highly confusing but it is presented clearly in this book with enough detail to be meaningful. Later that night other elements of Ewell's Corps attacked the neighboring Cemetery Hill. The Union position was formidable but the Confederacy for a moment appeared to break through. The effort failed due at least in part to poor coordination among the Southern commanders.
The book includes several appendices which offer walking tours of Gettysburg a driving tour of Culp's Hill, a study of restoration efforts in recent years on the northern part of the battlefield, and a summary of depictions of Culp's Hill in early art and photography. The book includes an Order of Battle and brief suggestions for further reading.
I remember fondly the time I spent on Culp's Hill trying to understand the fighting. It was gratifying in particular to learn of the restoration efforts subsequent to my last visit. I would love to see Gettysburg again.
The book conveys a strong sense of the ferocity of the battle and of the passion, gallantry, and commitment of the soldiers. The book encourages reflection on the United States and on the ideals which were both preserved and developed in the Civil War. It is valuable to consider the Civil War as our country goes through difficult times. The book is part of a series published by the Emerging Civil War with the aim of giving readers a working understanding of the War's critical events. This book fulfills admirably the goals of the series. The publisher, Savas Beatie, kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
September 15, 2025
This book is ideal for readers seeking new insights into the North End actions at Gettysburg on July 2. It offers detailed and thoughtful terrain analyses that deeply explore the subject, addressing "blind spots" in familiar narratives. It's particularly suitable for those who already understand the basic storyline of Gettysburg but want to dive deeper into a specific region.
This book may not be the best choice for newcomers looking for a comprehensive overview of the entire battle. It may also fall short if you seek equally strong detail across all sectors of the battlefield or prefer a unified narrative that encompasses all constraints (political, logistic, morale) rather than a tactical focus broken down by sector.
Contains many photos, and the maps are excellent.
This book may not be the best choice for newcomers looking for a comprehensive overview of the entire battle. It may also fall short if you seek equally strong detail across all sectors of the battlefield or prefer a unified narrative that encompasses all constraints (political, logistic, morale) rather than a tactical focus broken down by sector.
Contains many photos, and the maps are excellent.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews