Custer at Gettysburg: A New Look at George Armstrong Custer versus Jeb Stuart in the Battle’s Climactic Cavalry Charges

by Phillip Thomas Tucker

George Armstrong Custer is famous for his fatal defeat at the Little Bighorn in 1876, but Custer’s baptism of fire came during the Civil War. After graduating last in the West Point class of 1861, Custer served from the First Battle of Bull Run (only a month after graduation) through Appomattox, where he witnessed the surrender. But Custer’s true rise to prominence began at Gettysburg in 1863.

On the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, only twenty-three years old and barely two years removed from being the goat of his West Point class, Custer received promotion to brigadier general and command – his first direct field command – of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, the “Wolverines.” Now that he held general rank, Custer felt comfortable wearing the distinctive, some said gaudy, uniform that helped skyrocket him into fame and legend. However flashy he may have been in style, Custer did not disappoint his superiors, who promoted him in a search for more aggressive cavalry officers. At approximately noon on July 3, 1863, Custer and his men heard enemy cannon fire: Stuart’s signal to Lee that he was ready for action. Thus began the melee that was East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg. Much back and forth preceded Custer’s career-defining action. An hour or two into the battle, after many of his cavalrymen had been reduced to hand-to-hand infantry-style fighting, Custer ordered a charge of one of his regiments and led it into action himself, screaming one of the battle’s most famous lines: “Come on, you Wolverines!” Around three o’clock, Stuart mounted a final charge, which mowed down Union cavalry – until it ran into Custer’s Wolverines, who stood firm, with Custer wielding a sword at their head, and broke the Confederates’ last attack.

In a book combining two popular subjects, Tucker recounts the story of Custer at Gettysburg with verve, shows how the Custer legend was born on the fields of the war’s most famous battle, and offers eye-opening new perspectives on Gettysburg’s overlooked cavalry battle.

447 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2019

About the author

Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D. has been recognized today as "the Stephen King of History," and the most groundbreaking historian in America, because of his great productivity of high-quality books (more than 185 books of history) in many field of history, including the American Revolution, Women's History, Civil War History, African American History, etc.
A winner of national and state book awards, Tucker has recently optioned out three books--Cathy Williams, Anne Bonny, and Mia Leimberg--for Hollywood films.
No American historian has authored more history books than Dr. Tucker. America's most prolific and innovative of historians has won international acclaim for breaking much new ground in history by authoring more than 180 history books of unique distinction. In total, he is the author of more than 225 works in history, including both books and scholarly articles.
Significantly, the vast majority of these groundbreaking books have a distinctive "New Look" focus, including five volumes of the Harriet Tubman Series and Haitian Revolutionary Women Series. An award-winning scholar of highly-original and uniquely human history, he has most often explored the remarkable lives of forgotten men and women in powerful historical narratives long ignored by other historians.
Most important, Dr. Tucker has emerged as one of America's leading Revolutionary War historians. He has authored groundbreaking Revolutionary war books, including "How the Irish Won the American Revolution"; "George Washington's Surprise Attack": "Saving Washington's Army"; "Brothers in Liberty"; "Kings Mountain"; "Alexander Hamilton's Revolution"; "Alexander Hamilton and the Battle of Yorktown"; "Captain Alexander Hamilton and His Forgotten Contributions at the Decisive Battle of Trenton"; and others no less distinguished.
The author has also written four books about female Buffalo Soldier Cathy Williams. In addition, he has completed groundbreaking New Look Glory 54th Massachusetts Regimental Series of four volumes. This important series has focused on the heroic story of the first black regiment from the North during the Civil War.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Tucker has revealed some of the most overlooked chapters of America's hidden history to present new insights and fresh perspectives. The author's books have most often broken historical boundaries, while going well beyond traditional history in bold "New Look" narratives.
As America's leading myth-busting historian with three degrees in American history, including a Ph.D. from prestigious St. Louis University where he graduated summa cum laude, America's most prolific author has mined American history's obscure depths to present unique historical narratives long unexplored and forgotten. Tucker has long focused on illuminating the previously untold stories of forgotten women (black and white), who have been long overlooked. By revealing their distinguished hidden history that had been previously lost to the American public, the author has paid long-overdue tributes to these remarkable women of great courage and outstanding character. Ahead of their time, these dynamic women defied the odds in carving out their own unique destines with their hard work, enduring faith, and perseverance.
Dr. Tucker has authored groundbreaking books in many fields of study: African American, Women's, Irish, American Revolutionary War, Buffalo Soldiers, Civil War, Tuskegee Airmen, Little Bighorn, Caribbean, Private, Spanish American War, Second World War, George Armstrong Custer, and Southern history. He has long focused on telling the forgotten stories of lost souls, outcasts, renegades, misfits, rebels, deserters (like Buffalo Soldier David Fagen), iconoclasts, refugees, nonconformists, and outliers, whose unique lives deserve attention at this late day.
The author's award-winning books have often focused on iconic turning point moments in American

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work gives credit to General Custer for his role in the great American Civil War battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book: Custer at Gettysburg: A New Look at George Armstrong Custer versus Jeb Stuart in the Battle’s Climactic Cavalry Charges by Phillip Thomas Tucker is a refreshing and engaging book that depicts the true facts surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg and the soldiers involved. The author really explains in great detail the facts, figures, and men who fought and he is not above pointing to the false facts as he sees it. From the beginning of the book he asserts that much of what has been written about Gettysburg is romanticized. He asks the question, “Why has romantic myth and legend been allowed to take center stage and dominate the historical record?” Tucker cites popular books and movies as the reason for the misrepresentation of the history. His primary assertion in this well-researched tome is that a young brigadier general named George Armstrong Custer had a “vital role” in the success of the Union army at Gettysburg. I love that he takes the topics he writes about so seriously. The maps at the beginning of the book were very helpful in understanding the position and tactics of the cavalries. The three-day Battle of Gettysburg is depicted in so much detail and thoughtful analysis, teaching us so much more than any high school textbook ever did. Without Custer, American History would have unfolded so much differently. While I may not be the history buff that Tucker is, he makes it enjoyable to read about historical events. I would highly recommend this book as I would all of Phillip Thomas Tucker’s work.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful

This book is an engaging and enlightening read for anyone interested in Civil War history. Tucker takes a fresh look at the often overlooked cavalry actions during the Battle of Gettysburg, specifically the clash between George Armstrong Custer and Jeb Stuart.

Tucker does a fantastic job bringing these historical figures to life, showing Custer not just as a flamboyant character, but as a brave and capable leader. The detailed descriptions of the cavalry maneuvers and charges are both thrilling and informative, making you feel like you are right there on the battlefield.

The book is well-researched, drawing on a variety of sources to paint a vivid picture of the events. Tucker's writing style is accessible and engaging, making it easy for both history buffs and casual readers to follow along. He sheds new light on Custer’s contributions to the Union victory at Gettysburg, arguing that his actions were crucial in thwarting Stuart’s attempts to disrupt the Union rear.

Overall, "Custer at Gettysburg" is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War or military history. It offers a new perspective on a pivotal moment in American history and highlights the importance of the cavalry in the battle. Tucker’s ability to combine detailed research with compelling storytelling makes this book a standout.

[Don Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Unusual Approach

Reading this finally helped me to finally understand the purpose for what seemed like a ridiculous military maneuver, known as “Pickett’s Charge.” Having walked in the footsteps of those who were about to die, it seemed a ludicrous doomed-to-failure attack. However, Mr. Tucker has made it clear that this could have been the path to victory if carried out as part of a greater endeavor as had been planned.
However, the author’s writing style made this an incredibly “trying” read. What seemed like unnecessary epetition followed by repetitions made this read feel like slogging through to an ever hopeful final ending. It is as though an editor decided that what should have been a 300 page work, at best, needed to extend to almost 500 pages in order to lend it a certain historical gravitas. I am happy to say that I finally finished it! More knowledgeable, but weary.

[Roger Rosenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very exhaustive description of the cavalry action east of the main battle lines in Gettysburg. The interpretation of this action has varied over the last many years. The author claims that Virginia historians in praising Lee and Stuart have ignored the real story of Custer who saved the day by defeating the legendary Stuart. I don’t want to get into the debate here, but I believe the book to be a worthy read for anyone interested in Civil War history and in particular the Battle of Gettysburg.

[Jim Dankosky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish the introduction. He said the same thing over and over. The subject sounded interesting, but the writing was terrible. I stopped after 30 pages.

[Michael T. Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Now I can visit the field and understand what happened there on that fateful day when the union beat the confederacy.

[Jessi Bone · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ This striking contradiction has partly developed because no battle in the annals of American history has been more shrouded of romance and myth that the climactic three-day clash that raged in the fields, hills, and forests of Gettysburg.”
Dr. Thomas Phillip Tucker takes us back to Gettysburg and the generally less researched battleground of East Calvary Field. He takes us back not just to the well-known battle of Picket's Last Stand but to the battle occurring to keep Picket's men from being overrun on Cemetery Hill. His insightful research and no prejudice approach is refreshing in this historical hotbed of information. Being one of the bloodiest battles in North America has left both sides of the discussion romanticizes the facts and allowing their own myths a prejudice to years of misinformation. Reading this book has informed me of some not well-known facts of all the men who fought for their freedom on both sides of the Mason Dixie Line.
As with all Dr. Tucker's book, he has a lot of information crammed in and he pulls from resources all over to retell the truth from both sides. He explains in great detail the facts, figures, and men who fought and he is not above pointing to the false facts as he sees it. I really recommend this book to anyone who really thinks they know the figures and facts of this battle. Even reading his other books on Gettysburg I found things about Custer, Lee, and Meade that I had not already known. This is a book for a history lover and anyone in the education field whether student or teacher. This is book does not skimp on the details of the facts so that should be considered when reading and having children lead. Don't get me wrong it is not gory far from it but it does explain the battle, the injuries, and death of thousands. I am glad I took the time to pick it up and I look forward to reading more bu Dr. Phillip Thomas Tucker.

[Leslie Hasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to get to know the REAL General Custer?

What an interesting book! I have learned a bit more military history than most, and most of what i remember is from my Officer's Basic Course at Fort Lee in Virginia. I had a great Civil War history instructor there, but this author goes WAY beyond what I had been taught!
As a student of strategy and of tactics during the Civil War, I NEVER heard George Armstrong Custer's name in connection with the Battle at Gettysburg, and this author presents evidence that Custer's daring and ingenuity kept the Union Army from almost certain defeat by thwarting Jeb Stuart's cavalry charge to the rear of General Meade's forces.
If Custer hadn't been able to outmaneuver Stuart's renowned cavalry forces with his own Michigan cavalry regiments, the rear of the Union Army would almost surely have been broken, changing the history of the War Between the States and of the United States as a country.
I enjoyed the fact that this author really researched his topic, searching through letters written by men actually in that battle and in others, who served under Custer. Rather than a foolhardy glory-seeker, Custer is portrayed here as a multi-dimensional military man who was talented and hard-working. He also is revealed as intelligent as well as gifted in his understanding of warfare, especially in the best use of cavalry. His deep understanding of how horses could change the course of battle changed warfare and the course of that war.
If you've ever wondered how Custer got to be a General at only 23 years old, check this book out. It will forever change your opinion about General George Armstrong Custer!