Finalist for the U.S. Army Heritage Foundation's 2011 Distinguished Writing Award for the Reprint Category.The Gettysburg Campaign has been examined in minute detail from nearly every aspect but one: the key role played by Richard Ewell's Second Corps during the final days in June. Scott Mingus's Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Confederate Expedition to the Susquehanna River; June 1863 is the first in-depth study of these crucial summer days that not only shaped the course of the Gettysburg Campaign; but altered the course of our nation's history.In two powerful columns; Ewell's Corps swept toward the strategically important Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania capital looming beyond. Fear coursed through the local populace while Washington and Harrisburg scrambled to meet the threat. One of Ewell's columns included a veteran division under Jubal Early; whose objectives included the capture and ransom of towns and the destruction of railroad bridges and the Hanover Junction rail yard. Early's most vital mission was the seizure of the Columbia Bridge; which spanned the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia. To capture the longest covered bridge in the world would allow Early's Division to cross into prosperous Lancaster County and move against the capital in Harrisburg from its relatively undefended rear. Along the way; one of Early's brigades under John Gordon occupied Gettysburg and spilled the first blood there days before the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil began on July 1.Flames Beyond Gettysburg vividly narrates both sides of Ewell's drama-filled expedition; including key Southern decisions; the response of the Pennsylvania militiamen and civilians who opposed the Confederates; and the burning of the Columbia Bridge. Mingus's study also features detailed driving tours of the various sites discussed in the book; including the Confederate route of march from Maryland; the June 26 skirmish at Gettysburg and the fight at the Witmer Farm; Lt. Col. Elijah V. White's cavalry raids on Point-of-Rocks and Hanover Junction; Gordon's triumphal march through York; the skirmish at Wrightsville; and the bridge burning.Based upon extensive primary source material and featuring original maps by cartographer Steven Stanley; the fast-paced and gracefully written Flames Beyond Gettysburg is a welcomed and important addition to the Gettysburg literature.About the Author: Scott L. Mingus; Sr. is a scientist and executive in the paper and printing industry. He maintains a popular blog on the Civil War history of his home of York County; PA; for the York Daily Record (yorkblog.com/cannonball); and is a sanctioned Civil War tour guide for the York County Heritage Trust. Scott is the author of five scenario books on wargaming and together with his wife Debi; publishes CHARGE!; the leading international magazine for Civil War miniature wargaming. REVIEWS "Very impressive work! Great research and sources."- Ronald Young; author of Lancaster County; Pennsylvania; in the Civil War."Fabulously written; and the scholarship is very deep . . . it will be the standard work for the Early/Gordon advance into Pennsylvania."- J. David Petruzzi; co-author of Plenty of Blame to go Around: J.E.B. Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg."The final word on this much overlooked part of the Gettysburg campaign. Insightful work; accurately done. And a good read."- James McClure; author of East of Gettysburg: A Gray Shadow Crosses York County; Pa.
#766590 in Books 2011-09-22 2011-09-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .31 x 6.00l; .50 #File Name: 1609494245144 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Stories; Accuracy Relevance IssuesBy Mike MoviusFletcher can spin a yarn; that's for sure. He certainly delved into a yet-to-fore empty historical space; and yet... The page-eating story about Salmon Brown is essentially not about Oregon or the Civil War. And; Edward Baker was not much of a battlefield leader. He dismissed a suggestion by one of his subordinate colonels (a former tactics instructor at West Point; no less) who advised him to move on the ridge that was subsequently the downfall of the botched recon at Balls Bluff.Most of his subjects moved to Oregon after the war and died there. (Maybe that's the headline). Very few Oregonians actually traveled east to participate; therein. So; it's interesting and perhaps fun; but don't expect too much.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is a great book for anyone interested in what was going on ...By Michael H. TidemannThis is a great book for anyone interested in what was going on in Oregon during the Civil War. While removed geographically; Oregon was a microcosm of the US as a whole; this book shows. I was particularly intrigued in the chapter on Virgil Earp who was reportedly killed in Tennessee during the Civil War and whose wife moved from Pella; IA only to meet with him 38 years later. Fascinating reading for anyone interested in 19th Century Oregon or the Civil War.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating OregonBy Patsy LallyWe all know our history; or at least we think we do. When a little gem of a book comes alone like this one; it fascinates and enlightens. I didn't know that Virgil Earp (yes Wyatt's brother) was buried in Portland. The story is fascinating and says a lot about the times during the Civil War era. Two Portland men chased down John Wilkes Booth; and many other stories of people from Oregon who participated in that war so far from here in most people's thoughts. If you are a collector of stories about Oregon; or if you just love a good and entertaining history book; this is the book for you.
