Barksdale’s Charge describes the exact moment when the Confederacy reached its zenith; and the soldiers of the Northern states just barely succeeded in retaining their perfect Union. On the third day of Gettysburg; Robert E. Lee launched a magnificent attack. For pure pageantry it was unsurpassed; and it also marked the centerpiece of the war; both time-wise and in terms of how the conflict had turned a corner―from persistent Confederate hopes to impending Rebel despair. But Pickett’s Charge was crushed by the Union defenders that day; having never had a chance in the first place. The Confederacy’s real “high tide†at Gettysburg had come the afternoon before; during the swirling conflagration when Longstreet’s corps first entered the battle; when the Federals just barely held on. The foremost Rebel spearhead on that second day of the battle was Barksdale’s Mississippi brigade; which launched what one (Union) observer called the "grandest charge that was ever seen by mortal man.†Barksdale’s brigade was already renowned in the Army of Northern Virginia for its stand-alone fights at Fredericksburg. On the second day of Gettysburg it was just champing at the bit to go in. The Federal left was not as vulnerable as Lee had envisioned; but had cooperated with Rebel wishes by extending its Third Corps into a salient. Hood’s crack division was launched first; seizing Devil’s Den; climbing Little Round Top; and hammering in the wheatfield. Then Longstreet began to launch McLaws’ division; and finally gave Barksdale the go-ahead. The Mississippians; with their white-haired commander on horseback at their head; utterly crushed the peach orchard salient and continued marauding up to Cemetery Ridge. Hancock; Meade; and other Union generals desperately struggled to find units to stem the Rebel tide. One of Barksdale’s regiments; the 21st Mississippi; veered off from the brigade in the chaos; rampaging across the field; overrunning Union battery after battery. The collapsing Federals had to gather men from four different corps to try to stem the onslaught. Barksdale himself was killed at the apex of his advance. Darkness; as well as Confederate exhaustion; finally ended the day’s fight as the shaken; depleted Federal units on their heights took stock. They had barely held on against the full ferocity of the Rebels; on a day that decided the fate of the nation
#376517 in Books 2015-04-20 2015-05-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .44 x 6.00l; .68 #File Name: 1611212278192 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A nice book about the first day at GettysburgBy Steven PetersonAn odd little book. But also an attractive volume.. In a sense; it is like two books in one--a somewhat brief but still solid description and analysis of the first day at Gettysburg and a guide to the battlefield. An odd coupling; but--I think--it works.As a history; it tells the story well. Others provide more detail; but this does a good job. We read of the preliminaries to the battle; including Meade taking over the Army of the Potomac from Joseph Hooker; the movement of the Confederate Army on multiple fronts; Meade's efforts to unite the northern forces.There is a nice description of General John Buford's arrival in Gettysburg and his energetic and effective performance as a leader of the cavalry working to hold back a Confederate advance on the town until infantry arrives to provide support. And on it goes--Reynolds' arrival on the battlefield; the gathering of Confederate forces. A fight that no one had anticipated or prepared for in this place. Each chapter explores an element of the battle--followed by directions to see relevant sites during the engagement described.One very interesting aspect of this book is a series of appendices. Issues addressed include: Was John Reynolds overrated as a general? Where was Jeb Stuart during the battle? The story of a soldier--Amos Humiston. What was the role of shoes in terms of the battle?There is also an order of battle for the first day.All in all; a nice little volume. This is not for those who want a detailed; blow-by-blow of the battle; but it fills a nice niche. . .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great intro review to the 1st Day.By PapiHave only scanned and already find it a great addition to my Gettysburg library. Have already found new things to seek on my next visit to the battlefield.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The book is very helpful in relating the story. ...By William T. MooreThe book is very helpful in relating the story. I found it somewhat irritating that Chris is a journalism professor yet there are more than a few errors in grammar or dates incorrect that an editor should have corrected. Probably not Chris's fault.
