Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 1863 (A Civil War Watercolor Map Series) [Map]

Earl B. McElfresh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Boxed set containing two maps: 1. The First Day's Battlefield Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Pennsylvania 1863 The stage is set for the greatest battle ever fought on the North American continent. Scale: 1" = 800' Map Image: 141/2" x 20" Overall Size: 18" X 28" Style: Watercolor and colored pencil map showing crops, fences, houses, farms, watercourses, woods and significant terrain on the northern half of the field. No troop movements depicted. Reverse side: Includes a short monograph on the Gettysburg campaign and one describing the Civil War and its maps. Reproductions include an 1858 map of Adams County, a sketch map made during the battle by Charles W. Reed and a John B. Bachelder map entitled "Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. First Day."

2. The Second and Third Day's Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 1863 The classic battle of the Civil War and the sight of the most famous charge in history. Scale: 1"=800' Map Image: 20" x 17" Overall size 18"x28" Style: Watercolor and color pencil map showing crops, fences, houses, farms, watercourses, woods and significant terrain on the southern half of the field. No troop movements depicted. Reverse side: Text contains a brief monograph on the fighting over the three days as well as a biographical sketch of Captain William Henry Paine, a Union topographical engineer. Eight maps of Gettysburg from the Paine collection in the National Archives are reproduced probably for the first time. Packaged in a reusable box. A History Book Club Selection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Earl B. McElfresh is a graduate of St. Lawrence University. He is the author of the acclaimed book Maps and Mapmakers of the Civil War, a main selection of History Book Club. His maps are included in collections throughout the country including the Harvard College Map Collection. He has lectured on his maps and Civil War mapmaking at the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress and the Warburg Institute in London. He lives in Olean, NY.

Product Details

• Map
• Publisher: McElfresh Map Company (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885294077
• ISBN-13: 978-1885294074
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,840,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Gas Station Maps, June 30, 2002

By 

Todd E. Newman (Valparaiso, IN) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 1863 (A Civil War Watercolor Map Series) (Map)

These maps cover roughly the 25 square miles of land involved in the conflict before the battle. It can be very useful for the student of the battle who is trying to understand positioning and the terrain. Though these maps are well done, they are of the paper variety you typically find at gas stations. I was a bit disappointed in the lack some details and that these maps were made to be like that of the fold-out kind. I reasoned 2 stars due to the cost and quality of material that you get for the money.

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential fin Reading , Walking or Driving the Gettysburg Battlefield, December 25, 2007

By 

Rea Andrew Redd "http://civilwarlibrarian.blo... (Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 1863 (A Civil War Watercolor Map Series) (Map)

The Gettysburg maps by McElfresh Publications is essential for readers while Coddington's, Sears' or Trudeau's work are being used. Oftentimes while on a group tour led by NPS rangers or licensed battlefield guides, I'll consult these maps and before long there are several tour members looking over my shoulder or asking to borrow them for a few minutes.
These maps show the July 1863 roads, fences, farm buildings, crops, streams and woodlines. The advantage of watercolor is that contrasts in elevation are easy to pick up. Also, the variety of types fences are shown which is important to see why some attacks for slowed or defensive positions are enhanced. Like any paper map, consistent use will wear it out but I've had my ten years and have used it in a dozen trips to the field.

5.0 out of 5 stars McElfresh is superb!, May 30, 2005

By 

Shenandoah1865 (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg Pennsylvania, 1863 (A Civil War Watercolor Map Series) (Map)

These maps are excellent, especially for use in conjunction with maps such as the Trailhead Graphics map. They are based on the E.B. Cope map of 1901, which was based on the work of G.K. Warren in the late 1860's.

It is important to note that these maps do not show troop positions, other than the one map noted below. This is clearly noted in their advertising. Sources are clearly noted as are several excellent sources for further reading, though McElfresh modestly does not note his own superb "Maps and Mapmaking of the Civil War."

McElfresh draws beautiful, handcolored maps showing crops and woodlands of the battlefield at that time, immeasurably helping my ability to visualize the 1863 battlefield. Ridges and runs (streams) are clearly marked, roads and trails accurately placed and farmsteads labled. The reverse of the July 1 map also has a small print of the 1858 Hopkins map of Adams County, a small sketched map of the incident at Black Horse Tavern by Charles Wellington Reed, and a 2 - 3:30 PM July 1 general position of troops from a Bachelder map. A short summary of the incidents leading to the Gettysburg battle and a quick but fascinating summary of Civil War mapping complete the reverse.

The July 2 & 3rd map starts at the southern end of the Day 1 map and also contains wonderful crop and topographical detail, including types of fencing used. The reverse has a very short summary of the 3 days battle, and several maps attributed to Captain William Paine, US Topographical Engineers, along with a summary of his pre and Civil War careers. Post war, Paine was employed by fellow topographical engineer, Washington Roebling, in the building of a lovely bridge to Brooklyn, NY.

Suggestions for improvement would be 1) print the maps on more durable and water resistant stock to increase their usefulness in the field and 2) the elimination of the white border along the bottom of day 1 and the top of day 2 & 3 maps, so they could be easier aligned.

I'd like to see this company produce a map of the routes used for the Confederate retreat back into Virginia.