Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign

by Scott L. Mingus Sr.

Appreciation of what Civil War participants experienced cannot be fully realized by studying just the mechanical movements of armies about the battlefield. The influences which create emotional bonds between us, today, and those in the past are human interest stories. Human interest stories allow us to understand their hardships and deprivations. They connect and endear us in ways we can relate to the participants. They instill in us respect by their commitment to duty and they amaze us with tales of lighter, sometimes humorous, moments amidst tragic circumstances. Scott Mingus has woven together an extraordinary collection of human interest stories covering the Gettysburg campaign as witnessed by the soldiers and civilians. Taken from primary sources, including, diaries, pension records, historical collections, official records, as well as newspapers, journals, and books, this work presents a unique blend of stories arranged in chronological order to enhance the reader's experience. Here is just a sampling of such "An unusual group of volunteers responded in Harrisburg to Governor Curtin's plea. Capt. Charles C. Carson and a company of 17 men, the youngest being 68 years old, came forward and presented themselves for military service. Each senior citizen was a veteran of the War of 1812, and they wanted to again serve their state and country in a time of need. A color bearer proudly carried an historic relic, a highly tattered battle flag that had once been borne at the Battle of Trenton by Pennsylvanians serving under George Washington." ** "In one case,some members of the 3rd Michigan found that the most threatening enemy was not the Confederates they were pursuing. The Wolverines, hungry for some honey, raided some beehives in a nearby garden, initially driving off the bees. However, as the men reached the hives, the bees counterattacked en masse, repeatedly stinging the men as they struggled to get away from the prolonged assault. An amused onlooker, Color Sgt. Daniel Crotty, later wrote that the slashing and darting bees made some men 'turn such somersaulting on the ground as to put to shame a lot of Japanese acrobat performers in a circus ring.' The soldiers made an inglorious retreat, their swollen heads and faces now resembling huge mortar shells." ** "A massive thunderstorm on the evening of July 4 drenched the armies, creating untold misery and torture for the thousands of wounded that still dotted the fields and woods surrounding Gettysburg. Creeks and streams, already swollen from days of rain before the Battle of Gettysburg, swiftly overflowed their banks,and flash floods claimed the lives of scores of unfortunate wounded men. The hospital of Clark's Battery was in a field near Rock Creek east of Taneytown Road. The attendants and orderlies frantically worked to move the injured soldiers to higher ground. However, the water rose so quickly that not all could be moved. Artilleryman Dick Price held himself up above the torrent with his elbows draped over the branch of a dogwood tree. The lower extremities of both arms had been amputated, so Price's agony must have been excruciating. Still, he held his composure...Price would soon die from complications resulting from his wounds. He is buried in the National Cemetery.

101 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2006

About the author

Scott L. Mingus, Sr. is an author, tour guide, multiple award-winning miniature wargamer, patented scientist, and history buff based near York, Pennsylvania.

Blog at http://scottmingus.wordpress.com/scot...

Reviews

[Matthew Bartlett]

Many historians of the Gettysburg Campaign often tell narratives on a scope dealing with the entire battle, or just a section of the field. There are others who write biographies on a certain person either all throughout the Civil War, or just their time at Gettysburg. While Mingus has done both, he also writes this work on human interest stories which is a great introduction to the people and the special things which they performed during the battle.
Scott L. Mingus, Sr., is the award winning author of Confederate General William “Extra Billy” Smith, and The Louisiana Tigers in the Gettysburg Campaign, along with Flames Beyond Gettysburg. He is also the author of several books on Wargaming in the Civil War and is editor with his wife for “Charge!”: a magazine for miniature Civil War gamers. He now resides in York, Pennsylvania.
Human Interest Stories of the Gettysburg Campaign is a work which is unique and unlike any other. While other books tend to elaborate on the subject at hand, Mingus gives a quick introduction to the story, tells us what happened and moves on to the next. However, he has crafted the work in a way which tells the story of the battle without getting involved in any of the major details. Most people reading history who are the regular book buyers will get lost in the strategy and tactics of the battle and would often find it tedious. But here, Mingus gives us what fuels the reading of the people. While someone like myself enjoys reading about tactics and strategy and the mechanics of war, the average reader does not. Here, in this collection, Mingus grabs the readers, gives them a taste of what happened and moves on to the next subject. This book is a great introductory for anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg. It is also a book which should be taken along on the battlefield with people as they tour. The chapters are easily set for the pre-battle stories, the battle broken up by days, and the post battle. While touring the areas of the battlefield, this could be a resource guide to help you understand the stories of the monuments. Not only that, Mingus’ narrative is completely readable. As with his other works, Mingus writes in such a flowing narrative that it is hard not to be enthralled with what is being written. He also gives you the source right away and does not make you search for his materials in the endnotes which are incredibly helpful when working with short stories instead of a long narrative. Still, to this day, the average person touring the battlefield is not enamored with strategy and tactics, but the human interest stories. Too many times, history has alienated people with the tedium of information which leaves out the humanity in the people. Here, Mingus gives us what makes history enthralling to the public. Here are the Human Interest stories in a solid volume and easily accessible to the public.
I highly recommend this book for even the most avid Gettysburg historian. These stories have stood the test of time and even the ones we have never heard of before are told with grace in the narrative of Mingus. There is always something new to learn when it comes to the Gettysburg Campaign and Mingus gives us those new things to learn. Paired with the second volume of these Human Interest stories, this collection is undoubtedly important to have on the shelf of any Civil War historian.

[Joe Owen]

Another excellent book about the Battle of Gettysburg by Scott Mingus. The views, opinions, and short interesting histories told by the soldiers and civilians caught up in the whirlwind of the battle. Some stories are tragic, some are full of humor, but all are fascinating! Another great book by Scott Mingus!

[Joe Owen]

Short stories of the soldiers and civilians who were at Gettysburg from July 1 to 3, 1863. Some of the stories are humorous and some heartbreaking, but all are
fascinating. Another great book by Civil War author and historian Scott Mingus.