Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions [Paperback]

Eric J. Wittenberg (Author), D. Scott Hartwig (Foreword), Eric Wittenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

This book describes and analyzes the little-known cavalry actions during the Battle of Gettysburg - Farnsworth's Charge, South Cavalry Field, and Fairfield, Pa.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For too many years the cavalry, especially the Federal cavalry, and their contribution to the success or failure of the armies to which they belonged has been largely ignored. Over the last decade that has slowly begun to change. Amid the continuing flood of publications on the battle of Gettysburg one might wonder in disbelief that any aspects of the battle are still 'unknown', but three cavalry actions on July 3rd on the southern flank of the armies fall into that category, especially Merritt's fight on South Cavalry Field. Eric Wittenberg's Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions rights that wrong. Whether the proper term is forgotten, unknown, or ignored, few people visit these three fields. After reading this book that will change. Armed with Eric's account, John Heiser's maps and some tantalizing 'what ifs' tomorrow's visitors to the park will discover an aspect of the great battle that few before have seen or appreciated, and finally the soldiers who fought and died there will take their rightful place alongside their more well known comrades." -- Robert F. O'Neill, Jr., author of: The Cavalry Actions at Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville

About the Author

Eric J. Wittenberg is a practicing attorney in Columbus, Ohio. A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, he was educated at Dickinson College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He has spent years studying Federal cavalry operations in the Gettysburg Campaign, with a special focus on the actions of Brig. Gen. John Buford and his veteran troopers. The author of a number of works on the mounted actions, he enjoys recounting the stories of the hardships faced by the cavalry forces of both sides in the American Civil War. He is a member of APCWS, the Brandy Station Foundation, and is a former president of the Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable. He is also the chairman of the Elon Farnsworth Memorial Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Publications (PA); 1st edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577470354
• ISBN-13: 978-1577470359
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,316,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important new Gettysburg book., August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions (Paperback)

"Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions", by Eric J. Wittenberg, is an important new book on the Gettysburg Campaign. It covers, in much detail and under one cover, the vital cavalry actions which occurred on the southern fields of that battle which so long have remained obscure to most Civil war enthusiasts.

This isn't more Gettysburg "fluff" or rehashed stories to sell a book; far from it. "Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions" is a riveting, well-researched narrative of the heroic operations of several of the Union's fastest rising cavalry "stars" at that monumental conflict.

While Custer fought on the more well-known "East Cavalry Field" against JEB Stuart, Wesley Merritt and Elon Farnsworth performed no less brilliantly against Southern forces south and west of Little Round Top.

In a number of vicious clashes between cavalry and Rebel infantry, Farnsworth displayed unmatched heroism while Merritt gave Mea! de a possible yet fleeting opportunity to damage Lee's army severely after the repulse of Pickett's Charge.

Any Civil War cavalry buff will want to read this story. But, for all Gettysburg enthusiasts, it should be considered "required reading" as it fills-in nicely an area of battle historiography which has long been neglected. You can't lose on this one!

Theodore C. Mahr. Former National Park Service Historian. Author of: "The Battle of Cedar Creek: Showdown in the Shenandoah..." and forthcoming works on the Cavalry Battles of the Overland Campaign.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all Civil War and cavalry buffs!, July 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions (Paperback)

Few know that the Gettysburg campaign did not end with the famous Picketts Charge. There was three cavalry actions during or after Picketts Charge. This book vividly describes these three actions. It describes Farnsworth's Charge and a whole chapter on the brave soldier, Elon Farnsworth and the great controversy surrounding his death. It also includes Merritt's Regulars on South Cavalry Field and the Battle of Fairfield.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gettysburg Students Need This!, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions (Paperback)

A great book that dispels the notion that the heroes at Gettysburg are all remembered today. The reader will never forget the description of the ill fated charge led by Farnsworth at the insistence of Justin Kilpatrick. Very easy to read and engrossing.