Customer Reviews

Gettysburg July 2 1863: Confederate: The Army of Northern Virginia (Order of Battle)

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Gettyburg July 2 Confederate is a worthy successor to Gettysburg July 1 Confederate. The book is an improvement over the July 1 volumes,in part because, the July 2 volumes provide a more detailed map of the battlefield. Jim Arnold and Rebecca Weiner have put together a book historians, reenactors, and military enthusiasts can enjoy. The book show the second day of Gettysburg from the Confederate perspective, and effectively demonstrates the limited intelligence Lee had of the Federal positions and units. The Book starts off with a look at the strategy of the battle from the army of Northern Virginia's perspective. Then each of the three corps and it divisions are studied operationally. Within the divisional studies, units are further broken down by brigade, regiment, and company. Many of the companies are named. Unfortunately, some detached units, such as the 13 Virginia Infantry Regiment and the 21 Virginia Infantry Regiment Company "F" are not even acknowleged.

The only other errors appear to be the result of mistakes on part of the layout editor and not the authors. These are trivial, and should not besmirch such a splendid work. This work is important for it encapsulates the grand strategy of the campaign, the strategy of the army and corps, the tactics used by the divisions, brigades and regiments in an attmpt to effectuate this strategy, and finally, the role of logistics in suppying the army. The authors deserve to be commended for this work and I look forward to the future volumes covering July 3.

This is another excellent entry in Osprey's "Order of Battle" series. This book covers the Confederate operations at Gettysburg on the 2nd day.It lists commanders,units,and companies of the Army of Northern Virginia engaged that day. While books by giants like Coddington and Pfanz are for serious students of the battle ,I found this thin volume a refreshing,enlightening,and fun read.The author's frank language at interperting the dozens(it seems) of Confederate mistakes are refreshing as well. In one case critisizing the 15th Alabama's Oates post war contention about making Big round-top a fortress against attack as ridiculous,because Hood's division was trying to destroy the Union left,not get attacked.I never thought of it that way before! I only wish the authors had more company names listed. They might had researched the Internet as many detailed unit histories are found there,thanks to grass-root efforts by CS enthusiasts. However,this book is more than worthwhile for all interested in Lee's unforgetable Army and the South's great struggle for independence.