Review: Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions

Some time ago I happened upon a copy of Eric J. Wittenberg’s book, Gettysburg’s Forgotten Cavalry Actions and bought it, intending to read it on my next business trip.

          Three months later the road beckoned and the book has been read.

          Wittenberg’s study is an interesting read about three separate actions by Union cavalry units on July 3, 1863, the final day of the fighting at Gettysburg. There is, by far, more detail about the attack by federal Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth’s  1^st Cavalry Brigade against the extreme Confederate right than there is about the other two actions.

          Wittenberg’s book stands alone, meaning there is no previous knowledge of Gettysburg’s ebb and flow required. It is well-written. But if you want to really understand the desperate nature of the fighting in the actions detailed, a basic understanding of the situation for the Union and Confederate forces involved helps.

          Then again, if the reader did not already have an interest in the history of those three bloody days the reader would not have a copy of the book in hand, right?

          Wittenberg devotes a chapter over the matter of Farnsworth’s death. There is historic uncertainty over whether the Union commander, who was severely wounded, killed himself rather than be taken prisoner by the Confederates. Read it yourself, I don’t want to spoil a good book.

          The book includes maps that help understand the situation and plenty of images of the soldiers involved. There is a walking tour section at the back, complete with GPS coordinates, for each of the three actions, a terrific addition to the book.

          The copy I read is a revised and expanded edition of Wittenberg’s original book. I never saw the original, so I do not know what has been added.

          Your blogger gives Gettysburg’s Forgotten Cavalry Actions a thumbs up.

 

          Hoping that you give your loyal blogger a thumbs up, he thanks you for reading.