Customer Reviews

Pale Horse at Plum Run: The First Minnesota at Gettysburg

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This book provides a detailed perspective of the 1st Minnesota Regiment's experiences during the Civil War. It does this primarily through the first person comments of the men who served in the regiment. It shares the ups and downs of serving and fighting in the Civil War.

To me, this book was an excellent one for a couple of reasons. First, it provided a more detailed layout of what happened on July 2nd than any other book that I've read - when the 1st Minnesota charged the Confederates and stopped their attack on Cemetary Ridge. This is the best description of that event that I've read so far - laying out what happenend on both flanks of the regiment - with Willard's New York regiments on their left attacking Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade and the 19th Maine on the right, and what occured with the primary companies of the 1st regiment that were involved in the charge. It also mentions the experiences of some of the companies that were placed on separate duty including the sharpshooters. Second, it questions some of the myths regarding this event in the main body of the book and then provides a very logical and fact based reason why it disagreed with these myths in an excellent appendix. The myth that 262 men attacked and 47 returned for 82% casualties is questioned with facts. Third, it provides a very readable perspective of what happened after the battle of Gettysburg with the individuals who survived and the regiment.

This book isn't for a casual reader of the Civil War though. This is for a reader who wants to dig into the details of what happened during the largest and most important battle fought on US soil - the battle of Gettysburg. Since this book provides the details for the experienced Civil War reader, I highly recommend it.

Besides being a very good book on the 1st Minnesota, it was interesting to read about Christopher Heffelfinger. His 2nd Great Grandfather is my 5th Great Grandfather.

I have been to Gettysberg twice. The book discribes the area well. Having been there you can almost feel the battle the way the book is written. To make it even more personal My Great, Great, Great,Grandfather and his two brothers were there serving in Co D. of The First MInnesota. Grandfather was wounded in the battle.

This is a great book about the First Minnesota. Recommended to me by an acquaintance who took us on a battlefield tour, I found it a very warm, detailed telling of the story of the soldiers from Minnesota. Especially if you hail from Minnesota, it is simply a must-read. These were incredibly brave men whose story should be told and of whom all Minnesotans should be proud. It was well-worth the time/money.

This is an excellent book on the topic and very comprehensive. If you are interested in the 1st Minn. or Civil War regiments in general, I highly recommend it.