Rating: 
Summary: Detailed but Obtuse Account of Gettysburg
Review: Culps Hill & Cemetery Hill is a typical Civil War history - heavily anecdotal and diary-driven. Harry W. Pfanz, former chief historian of the National Park Service, certainly pulls together the mountains of information available on Gettysburg into a very detailed account that focuses on two relatively neglected aspects of the battle - the struggles on the northern flank of the "fish hook" for Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill. There is no lack of factual data in this account, but it lacks emotive power. Other parts of the Gettysburg, such as the struggles for Little Round Top or Longstreet's assault do carry that emotive element - that sense that victory or defeat will help to decide the entire battle. However this is not the case for essentially sideshow operations like the Confederate attacks on Culps Hill and Cemetery Hill. Despite General Lee's intent to envelop the Federal right flank, the Confederate efforts on this flank were half-hearted and confused. Such half-heartedness and confusion carries over into this account. Like most Civil War writers, the author feels that he has done his duty merely by recanting how many attacks and retreats a given unit has made; it all becomes an opaque potpourri after awhile without meaning. Military analysis is non-existent, again typical of most Civil War writing. I still learned a little bit - I hadn't realized that the Union had accidentally marched part of one corps on Culp's Hill off to the south on 2 July and thus allowed the rebels to seize part of the hill. I also didn't know much about Confederate activities in Gettysburg, which Pfanz discusses at length. However this book is not the most interesting read, even for historians. At times, it reads as if the author had merely strung together all the text from the battlefield markers at Gettysburg. On the plus side, the maps are very good and do an excellent job supporting the text.
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps Pfanz's best
Review: Harry Pfanz likely knows Gettysburg better than any man around. Head historian for the NPS for many years, he has literally made Gettysburg his life's work. His books on the first and second days of the battle are considered must haves but this book on Culps Hill could be his best. The battle for Culps Hill and especially East Cemetery Hill are today the most forgotten part of Gettysburg. Look around and you will find many books pertaining to Pickett's Charge, Devil's Den and Little Round Top but how many aimed at Culps Hill? Not many. Even at the park the auto tour has Culps Hill simply as an extra add towards the end of the tour. With this book Pfanz takes a hard look at this forgotten area. We're use to the names of Chamberlain, Hancock and Pickett but here we hear names like Greene, Avery, Geary and Williams. The advantage of this book is it's not aimed at the casual reader but the serious Civil War buff. The information included is extensive and detailed. While well written, it is not a piece of fluff or a light read. If you seriously want to find out what happened on Culps Hill this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: A Study of the Defense of the Union Right at Gettysburg
Review: Harry Pfanz, a former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, has written a three-volume narrative of the Battle of Gettysburg. This volume, "Gettysburg, Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill" (1993) covers the fighting on the Union right -- Confederate left part of the line. This aspect of the Battle has not received the attention that has been accorded to Pickett's charge or to Longstreet's assault on the Union left on July 2. But it is an important and interesting component of the Battle nonetheless. Further, Culp and Cemetery Hills were the only parts of the battlefield that saw sustained action during all three days of the fighting. Pfanz begins, as the story must, with several chapters on the first day of the battle, July 1, 1863. The first day reached its climax with a Confederate victory north and west of Gettysburg which pushed two Union Corps, the first and the eleventh, through the town and unto Cemetery Hill south of town. Cemetery Hill and the adjacent Culp's Hill were crucial to the defense of the entire Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Pfanz' book discusses at length the Confederate failure to pursue the attack on day 1 and to attempt to take these two hills. Pfanz concludes that the Confederate corps commander, Lietenant General Richard Ewell, was probably not at fault by failing to attack and try to take these hills on July 1. This pivotal moment of the Battle is a subject of endless debate among students of Gettysburg. Pfanz also describes in detail the fighting for Cemetery and Culp hills during the evening of July 2, after the Union had heavily occupied and fortified them. Pfanz also offers a good discussion of skirmishing and of fighting in the town of Gettysburg itself -- again a matter that sometimes receives too little attention in other studies. Pfanz' account of the fighting for the hills focuses on the vagaries of battle and of the tremendous cost in human lives and suffering of the war. He points out that the Union basically committed errors involving both Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill that made the positions highly vulnerable. The Confederates fought valiantly but were unable to capture either hill due to the inherent strength of the defensive positions, lack of coordination, mistakes of their own, and fierce Union defense. The Confederates did capture some fortifications on Culp's hill, but were forced to abandon them on July 3. This leads to the third part of Pfanz' story. On July 3, General Robert E. Lee wanted to coordinate a resumption of the attack on the Union right with a new attack on the Union center and left -- which ultimately became Pickett's charge. But the fighting on the Union right came and went before the action in the center of the line began. There was fierce fighting on Culp's hill beginning with a Union artillery bombardment at dawn and continuing until 11:00 that morning. The Confederates attacked the Union defenses repeatedly but were repulsed each time with heavy losses. Pfanz tells his story well and the book is full of detail about the participants, from the generals to the foot soldiers. His account strives to be full and objective and probably could have used more in the way of commentary and analysis. The book is not suitable for the reader with a casual interest in the Battle of Gettysburg or for someone coming to the Battle for the first time. For such readers, a good general account of the Battle would be more suitable. But for those wanting to study the Battle of Gettysburg in detail, Pfanz' work is essential.
Rating:
Summary: A Study of the Defense of the Union Right at Gettysburg
Review: Harry Pfanz, a former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, has written a three-volume narrative of the Battle of Gettysburg. This volume, "Gettysburg, Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill" (1993) covers the fighting on the Union right -- Confederate left part of the line. This aspect of the Battle has not received the attention that has been accorded to Pickett's charge or to Longstreet's assault on the Union left on July 2. But it is an important and interesting component of the Battle nonetheless. Further, Culp and Cemetery Hills were the only parts of the battlefield that saw sustained action during all three days of the fighting. Pfanz begins, as the story must, with several chapters on the first day of the battle, July 1, 1863. The first day reached its climax with a Confederate victory north and west of Gettysburg which pushed two Union Corps, the first and the eleventh, through the town and unto Cemetery Hill south of town. Cemetery Hill and the adjacent Culp's Hill were crucial to the defense of the entire Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Pfanz' book discusses at length the Confederate failure to pursue the attack on day 1 and to attempt to take these two hills. Pfanz concludes that the Confederate corps commander, Lietenant General Richard Ewell, was probably not at fault by failing to attack and try to take these hills on July 1. This pivotal moment of the Battle is a subject of endless debate among students of Gettysburg. Pfanz also describes in detail the fighting for Cemetery and Culp hills during the evening of July 2, after the Union had heavily occupied and fortified them. Pfanz also offers a good discussion of skirmishing and of fighting in the town of Gettysburg itself -- again a matter that sometimes receives too little attention in other studies. Pfanz' account of the fighting for the hills focuses on the vagaries of battle and of the tremendous cost in human lives and suffering of the war. He points out that the Union basically committed errors involving both Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill that made the positions highly vulnerable. The Confederates fought valiantly but were unable to capture either hill due to the inherent strength of the defensive positions, lack of coordination, mistakes of their own, and fierce Union defense. The Confederates did capture some fortifications on Culp's hill, but were forced to abandon them on July 3. This leads to the third part of Pfanz' story. On July 3, General Robert E. Lee wanted to coordinate a resumption of the attack on the Union right with a new attack on the Union center and left -- which ultimately became Pickett's charge. But the fighting on the Union right came and went before the action in the center of the line began. There was fierce fighting on Culp's hill beginning with a Union artillery bombardment at dawn and continuing until 11:00 that morning. The Confederates attacked the Union defenses repeatedly but were repulsed each time with heavy losses. Pfanz tells his story well and the book is full of detail about the participants, from the generals to the foot soldiers. His account strives to be full and objective and probably could have used more in the way of commentary and analysis. The book is not suitable for the reader with a casual interest in the Battle of Gettysburg or for someone coming to the Battle for the first time. For such readers, a good general account of the Battle would be more suitable. But for those wanting to study the Battle of Gettysburg in detail, Pfanz' work is essential.
Rating:
Summary: Very detailed account of overlooked part of battle
Review: If you don't like detail than this is not your book . This book pinpoints all the key occurrences and strategies and major participants and their units. Without being judgmental, Pfanz lays all the facts before Ewell at the time he received Lee's order to take Culp's Hill. It's more plausible to understand why he didn't particularly with a phantom enemy on his northeastern front. Keys well on the Generals involved, who was really the smart General who choose Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill to make a stand, Howard vs. Hancock. A wonderful description of the retreat through the town, the combat around the town, the valiant attacks by Johnson's corp and near success and all the skirmishing that occurred in front of the key hills and to the north and east. After reading about the stoic charges by the confederates uphill, across open fields and the strong defense by the Union it is a wonder that the Confederates could limp away the evening of July 4. Pfanz also brings out how frustrated Lee was in attempting to consolidate his line and move Ewell's corps further south/west without success. The role of Ewell and Early in this failed attempt is discussed. Also, notable that Rode's attack with Johnson on the second day was difficult to coordinate due to the town and geography. This failure looms very large and demonstrated how difficult it was to move large forces of men around terrain with impediments (lots of fences) and moving against artillery. If Lee's left wing could not coordinate it's own attack with success on the second day across fields and into artillery on Rode's side of the field, it seems too impossible for Longstreet's attempt the next day. The controversies of Longstreet's Charge (misnamed Picket's) have often over shadowed the great controversy of the Ewell and his generals problems taking the hill's the first day and Rode's disaster and poor timing of the second. The timely union movements that won the battle of the hills told together with accidental movements that almost lost the hills is told so well had you not known the outcome, you would be on the edge of your seat. By identifying the units on the field, Pfanz demonstrates that north and south maryland units actually fought each other. Pfanz's telling demonstrates how hard the war was, the advantages of concentration, the geography of the land and tremendous courage on both sides. P.S., any CW book that Gary Gallagher (editor) is involved with is a collectable.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, but at times overwhelming
Review: In Gettysburg: Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill, Harry Pfanz sheds light on one of the lesser known aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg. In the common history of the battle, much attention is paid to actions like Buford's stand, the attack on Little Round Top, and Longstreet's Second Assault (Pickett's Charge). In the shadows of these momentous events is the action on Cemetery and Culp's Hills. Ironically, these two hills formed the anchor of the Union line-the reason for fighting at Gettysburg in fact-yet the battles for them are nearly forgotten. Pfanz reminds us of their importance in this informative but somewhat lengthy tome. There can be no argument; Pfanz knows what he is talking about. His attention to detail, and the extent of his knowledge is truly impressive. However, when the entire Gettysburg Campaign can be explained thoroughly in 575 pages as Codington did, it can be somewhat tedious to read a 375-page book on two days of that campaign, and which only involved between fifteen and twenty percent of the combined armies. This is really the only shortcoming of the book. The story could have been better presented in fewer pages with less mind-boggling details. One is often confused when Pfanz shifts between brigades, regiments, and companies, while trying to remember the names of all their commanders. It appears that Pfanz was trying to please too many people with this work, and did not have the same skill of weaving the common soldier's story into the battle history that someone like Stephen Ambrose has. Aside from those technical complaints, the book is very informative and enjoyable to read if you take your time. There is nothing very controversial, as this is primarily a narrative. Pfanz does a good job of presenting all the facts available, allowing the reader to make their own decisions for the most part. On the whole, Pfanz' book is nothing spectacular, just good, informative history-a stepping-stone for further study and analysis.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent work on an over-looked arena at Gettysburg
Review: It wasn't until reading this book by Harry Pfanz, that I came to better appreciate just how pivotal the areas of Culp's and Cemetery Hills were to the outcome at Gettysburg. I've read MANY accounts of the battles of the 1st day (west of town), and the second day's contests at Little Round Top, Devil's Den, Cemetery Ridge, etc.... and, of course, Pickett's Charge on July 3rd. But, all too often, the two hills south east of Gettysburg have been over-shadowed by the afore-mentioned arenas. Phanz shows clearly how the two hills effected the outcome of the battle, and how the fighting in these sectors directly effected what happened on the ridges and hills to its south and west during the three days. I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was one of those books on the battle that I just could not put down once I started. Phanz combines historical accuracy and fact along with many human interest vignetts, and bio's on the leaders and their roles during the actions that their respective commands took part in. What I truly appreciate most about this book is how Phanz helps dispells two myths: 1.) The Union 11th Corps has received a bum rap throughout history - that many 11th Corps units fought heroically and tenaciously both on the second day as well as the first day. And... 2.) That the commanders and enlisted men of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia were not invincible warriors who could take any situation and turn it into glorious victory. They were men who, when faced with overwhelming odds, could fail. As I read this book, I aquired a much clearer view of just what happened at Gettysburg: The Confederate chain of command broke down - and with disasterous results. Much in the same way that their beleagured counterparts in the Army of the Potomac had done nearly every time prior to the great showdown in Pennsylvania. For some, this book will undoubtedly raise that never-ending question: Had Stonewall Jackson been there, would the Confederate Army have met with greater success on July 1st? Perhaps. But, Phanz clearly shows with facts and accounts how the Confederates of Ewells's corps were just as exhausted and disorganized as the Union defenders on Cemetery Hill were at the end of July 1st. At any rate, I don't pay too much heed to the "what if-ers" of Civil War speculation. What I say to those people is that "if only General Grant been commander of the Union forces at Antietam - if HE was the one with Lee's plans in his hands - the war would have ended in Maryland a year earlier." But, reality is reality - and what made Stonewall Jackson a great commander is also what got himself killed at Chancellorsville. There's a reason for everything. If not at Gettysburg, the Union would have prevailed somewhere else. And, in this book, Phanz relates how the Commanders and the rank and file of Army of the Potomac rose to meet the crisis... and how they were always worthy opponenets of their southern adversaries. So, with that being said... Buy this book if you want a thorough, exciting, and reality-based account of the struggles that ocurred on Culp's and Cemetery Hills at Gettysburg. I will be so much more informed, and I will have such a better grasp of history as I walk along the slopes of Culp's and Cemetery Hills on my next visit to the battlefield.
Rating:
Summary: More of the best from Pfanz!
Review: Like his other outstanding books Pfanz continues the superior details backed by biographies and personal accounts. Pfanz briefly explains the 1st Day battle and how it basically shaped Union and Confederate positions around Cemetary and Culp's Hill. After bringing the reader into position Pfanz brings you to the frontlines as General Ewell and General Howard collide. Ewell and the Confederates seize the town and sharpshooters abound on roof tops while artillery battles take place between Cemetary Hill and Benner's Hill. Pfanz then captures General Johnson's attack and the Confederate repulse as the Confederates struggle to take Culp's and Cemetary Hill and the final attacks fail and continue to cause extreme bloodshed. Maps are also included to assist the reader with positions and movements which completes this fine book. As with all of Pfanz's work, be prepared for a huge amount of detail followed by descriptive action!
Rating:
Summary: A splendid historical novel
Review: My master's thesis is on George Sears Greene and his defense of Culps Hill so as you can guess this was my number one source for information. Pfanz's book discusses the Battle of Gettysburg without references to the 20th Maine or Picketts Charge. He goes to parts of the battlefield that many tourists have never discovered. He argues that the battle itself was determined on its flanks, both on Little Round Top and Culps Hill. His descriptive analysis of Culps and Cemetery Hill and the action that occured on these locations is both amazing and historically accurate. He goes into areas unknown and digs out information that few knew. His book is not only a good reference guide but also a fine novel, one that tells a story of how certain men performed heroic acts for the love of their country. In short, it opened my eyes to the real story of Gettysburg.
Rating:
Summary: Good book on an overlooked topic
Review: This book offers a look at the critical actions on Culp's and Cemetery Hill starting with Oliver Howard's posting of von Steinwehr's Division on Cemetery Hill at noon on July 1st and continuing through the final Confederate attacks on July 3rd. Throughout the book Pfanz gives an incredibly detailed account of all actions on the hills.
The most important part of the book is the sixth chapter which gives a detailed account of the most controversial action on that part of the field, Richard Ewell's failure to occupy the two hills (or at least Culp's Hill) on the night of July 1st. Pfanz explains that the failure to occupy the hills was more due to the lack of initiative shown by Edward Johnson than any failing on Ewell's part. By explaining the troop movements and positions of both the Union and Confederate forces in the area on the night of July 1st Pfanz shows us that it was a lackluster performance by Johnson that allowed the hills to remain in Union hands. Pfanz is able to clear up any common misconceptions about Ewell's failings in this part of the battle, and this is his greatest accomplishment.
There are two aspects of the book that are weak. The first five chapters of the book are about the actions precluding the fighting on Culp's and Cemetery Hill and it seems to me that he devotes too much time to this topic. Secondly, at times Pfanz gets too detailed in his explanations, and loses the reader. His explanation of movements down to the brigade level is great, but too frequently he gets into the regimental and company level and just confuses the reader.
Overall I thought this was a great book that did a good job sorting out the confusing actions on Culp's and Cemetery Hill.
|
