Synopses & Reviews
Though a great deal has been written about the battle of Gettysburg, much of it has focused on the events of the second and third days. With this book, the first day's fighting finally receives its due. Harry Pfanz, a former historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and author of two previous books on the battle, presents a deeply researched, definitive account of the events of July 1, 1863.
After sketching the background of the Gettysburg campaign and recounting the events immediately preceding the battle, Pfanz offers a detailed tactical description of the first day's fighting. He describes the engagements in McPherson Woods, at the Railroad Cuts, on Oak Ridge, on Seminary Ridge, and at Blocher's Knoll, as well as the retreat of Union forces through Gettysburg and the Federal rally on Cemetery Hill. Throughout, he draws on deep research in published and archival sources to challenge some of the common assumptions about the battle--for example, that Richard Ewell's failure to press an attack against Union troops at Cemetery Hill late on the first day ultimately cost the Confederacy the battle.
Review
Highly readable, features many excellent maps, outstanding research, and a variety of unfamiliar photographs. (Blue and Gray Magazine)
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This book complements Pfanz's other works on the battle. (Library Journal)
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An exhaustive and intimate description of the tactical events of day one. (Washington Post Book World)
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[This book] is a careful reconstruction of events, based on extensive research in official reports, contemporary accounts, and soldiers' memoirs. (Civil War Book Review)
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"With
Gettysburg: The First Day, the first day's fighting finally receives its due. . . . Offers a detailed tactical description. . . . [Pfanz] draws on deep research in published and archival sources to challenge some of the assumptions about the battle."
-McCormick Messenger Highly readable, features many excellent maps, outstanding research, and a variety of unfamiliar photographs. (Blue & Gray Magazine) An exhaustive and intimate description of the tactical events of day one. (Washington Post Book World) This eagerly anticipated study will undoubtedly become a classic and the standard work on the fighting of July 1. (America's Civil War [This book] is a careful reconstruction of events, based on extensive research in official reports, contemporary accounts, and soldiers' memoirs. (Civil War Book Review) This book complements Pfanz's other works on the battle. (Library Journal)
Review
"[Pfanz's] long experience on the battlefield and the battlefield archives [has] produced [a] meticulously-detailed [study] of the battle."
-Allen C. Guelzo, The Barnes and Noble Review
About the Author
Harry W. Pfanz is author of Gettysburg--The Second Day and Gettysburg--Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. He served for ten years as a historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and retired from the position of Chief Historian of the National Park Service in 1981.