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Post by bc on Nov 23, 2007 15:10:53 GMT -6
My favorite cw book by Edward G. Longacre. The cover states it is "A tactical study of mounted operations during the Civil War's pivotal campaign, 9 June---14 July 1863.
It has an execellent reference to Buford's, Custer's, and Stuart's actions in a battle report type detail at Gettysburg. What is very compelling about it all is all the small unit cavalry battles that occurred before the main battle and while chasing Lee to the Potomac after the battle. Cavalry units were very active in fighting almost daily engagements as well as details of their movements during that period. This book has put the perspective on cavalry actions that influences what I think of Custer and the battle at LBH.
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Post by clw on Nov 24, 2007 4:53:47 GMT -6
Custer and His Wolverines is another good Longacre read. My only complaint is that the index is so poor it's almost impossible to look up anything one wants to revisit without scanning back through the book. But for Custer's ACW actions, it's the most specific I've found so far. He's also done biographies of Chamberlin and Buford that I hope to get to one of these days.
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 21, 2008 13:44:02 GMT -6
My writing partner, J.D. Petruzzi, and I have just completed the outline for a 3-volume study of cavalry operations in the Gettysburg Campaign that will feature the most detailed treatments of the many actions ever assembled, and which will feature nearly fifty maps. If my guess is correct, it will exceed 1000 pages in total length. We hope it will be THE standard reference on the subject when it's all said and done.
I will update on progress as we proceed.
Eric
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TopKick1833
Junior Member
Sherlock the Beagle Dog
Posts: 80
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Post by TopKick1833 on Apr 22, 2008 7:12:38 GMT -6
Eric,
I am looking forward to this new work. Glad to hear there will be plenty of maps to accompany the book. All too often I read books that just ignore the much needed graphic representation of troop movements and situation maps. It seems like I am always pulling out maps and books to have as a handy reference when I read a new release.
I am also anxious to hear what ya'll have to say about the friendly fire down near the Rock Creek area of the Fedral right flank on Day one.
R/S
TopKick
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 23, 2008 8:30:25 GMT -6
Eric, I am looking forward to this new work. Glad to hear there will be plenty of maps to accompany the book. All too often I read books that just ignore the much needed graphic representation of troop movements and situation maps. It seems like I am always pulling out maps and books to have as a handy reference when I read a new release. I am also anxious to hear what ya'll have to say about the friendly fire down near the Rock Creek area of the Fedral right flank on Day one. R/S TopKick TK, I doubt you will be disappointed. J. D. has devoted much of his adult life to the study of the career of Thomas C. Devin, and nobody knows more about that friendly fire incident than he does. He will give it the sort of treatment you want. Eric
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Post by bc on Apr 23, 2008 9:03:34 GMT -6
Hi Eric, I'm in the middle of Doran's horsemanship book and like the maps. Even better would be to use google earth maps like Conz has been using to get a better feel for the terrain and understanding of the action. I also look forward to the book.
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Post by ericwittenberg on Apr 23, 2008 9:12:12 GMT -6
BC,
Our cartographer overlays troop movements over topographic maps, so you will get a very good sense of the terrain.
Eric
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Post by bc on Apr 23, 2008 10:21:48 GMT -6
Thanks Eric, I can follow topos but it takes some work and doesn't always give a clear picture. For those that can't read topos then they have a problem. Having been to the LBH a few times and topos to review, it is still hard to follow written commentary of the flow of action. That is why Conz's google earth maps really help me understand how he has the flow of action. I can visualize the movements almost like I was there.
I suppose one step better would be overlay troop movements over actual photos, assuming you can get photos with the right views. One example: I've read a lot about the battle at Little Roundtop but my visit there and view of the battlefield was nothing like what I visualized from reading. But then I don't know if all the trees and underbrush were there in 1863 or not. Another example: The google maps at LBH have helped me a lot but the next step would be is to take photos looking down from Calhoun Hill, for instance, showing troop and NA dispositions as well as photos looking up at the hill showing what Gall was seeing, for instance, showing NA and troop dispositions as he attacked. Even with topos, google earth, the elevation and steepness of terrain doesn't show as well as some photos taken from the proper perspective.
My 2 cents anyway. A combination of overlays may be the ticket. Another example: Conz has his google overlays regarding Calhoun Hill and the Keough sector but he has Custer and Yates sitting to the North being ignored by those NAs attacking at the Keough sector. (the last time I looked anyway). I just can't visualize why Lame White Man and Crazy Horse weren't seeing Custer's battalion when they overrun Keough.
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Post by conz on Apr 23, 2008 14:13:27 GMT -6
Yeah...I don't see a Native charge up Deep Ravine if Custer is emplaced on "his" hill and the cemetery area. That's the best argument there is for Yates' squadron being north, and out of the picture, when Keogh gets overrun.
Clair
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