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Pickett's Charge: Eyewitness Accounts at the Battle of Gettysburg
On the final day of the battle of Gettysburg, Robert E. Lee ordered one of the most famous infantry assaults of all time: Pickett's Charge. Following a thundering artillery barrage, thousands of Confederates launched a daring frontal attack on the Union line. From their entrenched positions, Federal soldiers decimated the charging Rebels, leaving the field littered with the fallen and several Southern divisions in tatters. Written by generals, officers, and enlisted men on both sides, these firsthand accounts offer an up-close look at Civil War combat and a panoramic view of the carnage of July 3, 1863.
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First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 12, 2019
This is a strong account about one of the pivotal moments in the battle of Gettysburg. I have never really read eyewitness accounts before but this was illuminating. Rollins does a great job of presenting a variety of perspectives on each moment during the battle. These are more short essays (in some cases even just a paragraph or two) about the various aspects of Pickett's Charge. From the discussions between Lee and Longstreet, where the latter did not agree with Lee's plan and advocated for a flanking move to the Confederate's right, to the accounts of individual soldiers describing what it was like to be in the midst of cannon and infantry fire, the words of the people who were there bring this event to life.
The one thing that prevented this from being five stars for me was the sometimes repetitive nature of the accounts. As noted, Rollins brings in many perspectives for the same moments and in each case the author states many facts that were acknowledged previously. But it is easy to skip past some of this and get the more in-depth notes and feelings.
The one thing that prevented this from being five stars for me was the sometimes repetitive nature of the accounts. As noted, Rollins brings in many perspectives for the same moments and in each case the author states many facts that were acknowledged previously. But it is easy to skip past some of this and get the more in-depth notes and feelings.
May 18, 2021
It's nearly inconceivable to comprehend the horrors of the day yet how eloquent each eyewitness account is described.
If you have any interest in how Pickett's charge transpired, this is the book that you must read. I read so many sections several times to make sure i understood the details the witness was conveying.
Having visited the actual battleground and feeling the powerful emotions while standing in the exact locations described by eyewitness, I simply must return.
If you have any interest in how Pickett's charge transpired, this is the book that you must read. I read so many sections several times to make sure i understood the details the witness was conveying.
Having visited the actual battleground and feeling the powerful emotions while standing in the exact locations described by eyewitness, I simply must return.
November 30, 2010
Pickett's Charge:Eyewitness Accounts At the Battle of Gettysburg
by: Richard Rollins
420 pgs
Ever since I started learning about the Civil war in the 8th grade I have been fascinated with all the battles especially Gettysburg. 8th grade was the year where my class really went in depth about the importance of Gettysburg and its effect on the Civil War and American history. Gettysburg was no doubt the biggest game changer of the American Civil War. It was a huge victory for the North and a crushing defeat to the South. It was during Gettysburg where one of the most memorable and biggest epic fails would occur. Pickett's charge is probably the most well known military tactic in the civil war. It was desperate and it was a complete failure. This book shows the perspectives of both the North and South during Pickett's charge and their reactions after the battle.
Imagine this: 15,000 men charging in an open field against enemy artillery and fire trying to take the enemy position. Now look at the enemy's perspective: You see 15,000 soldiers charging straight at you oblivious to death all around them. This is what the North and South witnessed that day on July 3rd,1863. When reading this book I anticipated most of what the Union side would say. They couldn't beleive the South would pull off something so risky and reckless. Open field and uphill are a bad combination. However, on the Southern side there were different viewpoints. Some soldiers could not believe that General Lee would cost more than 10,000 lives on 1 single charge. Others were either happy to be alive or believed the Gen. Lee did all he could. These differing perspectives is what makes this book so great.
The structure of this book is a mix of interviews, background info, and pictures. Nothing stands out more than eyewitness accounts. These people were there fighting and witnessed first hand the bloodiness of war. Its easy to read from a neutral textbook and overlook the grittiness of war but when you are reading eyewitness accounts there tends to be more of an emotional reaction. I felt bad for most of the Confederate Soldiers who had to march down that field and be cut down one by one.
In conclusion if you are interested in war and american history then this novel is a good read for you. I would recommend this story to anyone who is mature enough to read about war and not be traumatized by all the bloodshed.
by: Richard Rollins
420 pgs
Ever since I started learning about the Civil war in the 8th grade I have been fascinated with all the battles especially Gettysburg. 8th grade was the year where my class really went in depth about the importance of Gettysburg and its effect on the Civil War and American history. Gettysburg was no doubt the biggest game changer of the American Civil War. It was a huge victory for the North and a crushing defeat to the South. It was during Gettysburg where one of the most memorable and biggest epic fails would occur. Pickett's charge is probably the most well known military tactic in the civil war. It was desperate and it was a complete failure. This book shows the perspectives of both the North and South during Pickett's charge and their reactions after the battle.
Imagine this: 15,000 men charging in an open field against enemy artillery and fire trying to take the enemy position. Now look at the enemy's perspective: You see 15,000 soldiers charging straight at you oblivious to death all around them. This is what the North and South witnessed that day on July 3rd,1863. When reading this book I anticipated most of what the Union side would say. They couldn't beleive the South would pull off something so risky and reckless. Open field and uphill are a bad combination. However, on the Southern side there were different viewpoints. Some soldiers could not believe that General Lee would cost more than 10,000 lives on 1 single charge. Others were either happy to be alive or believed the Gen. Lee did all he could. These differing perspectives is what makes this book so great.
The structure of this book is a mix of interviews, background info, and pictures. Nothing stands out more than eyewitness accounts. These people were there fighting and witnessed first hand the bloodiness of war. Its easy to read from a neutral textbook and overlook the grittiness of war but when you are reading eyewitness accounts there tends to be more of an emotional reaction. I felt bad for most of the Confederate Soldiers who had to march down that field and be cut down one by one.
In conclusion if you are interested in war and american history then this novel is a good read for you. I would recommend this story to anyone who is mature enough to read about war and not be traumatized by all the bloodshed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews