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Emerging Civil War
The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863
A guide to the Gettysburg Civil War battlefields and their history, featuring lesser-known sites, side trips, and optional stops along the way."I thought my men were invincible,” admitted Robert E. Lee.A string of battlefield victories through 1862 had culminated in the spring of 1863 with Lee’s greatest victory the battle of Chancellorsville. Propelled by the momentum of that supreme moment, confident in the abilities of his men, Lee decided to once more take the fight to the Yankees and launched this army on another invasion of the North.An appointment with destiny awaited in the little Pennsylvania college town of Gettysburg.Historian Dan Welch follows in the footsteps of the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac as the two foes cat-and-mouse their way northward, ultimately clashing in the costliest battle in North American history.Based on the Gettysburg Civil War Trails, and packed with dozens of lesser-known sites related to the Gettysburg Campaign, The Last Road A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign offers the ultimate Civil War road trip.“Orrison and Welch have created something different. Historians must search for innovative ways to engage the public on the battle’s relevance. This book offers a new experience for tourists—one that enriches their visit to the site of one of the most consequential battles in American history.” —Matt Arendt, TCU, for Gettysburg Magazine“Shows a deep knowledge of the subject and the style of writing is clear and easy to follow . . . buy this book!” —Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 12, 2026
Before And After The Battle Of Gettysburg
"The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863" offers four separate driving tours which follow the movements of the Union and Confederate armies before and after the Battle of Gettysburg of July 1 -- July 3, 1863. While the Gettysburg battlefield has been visited by millions of people over the years, a much smaller number are familiar with the events leading to and following the battle itself during June to mid-July, 1863.
"The Last Road North" includes a good, succinct chapter on the battle, but the focus is on the before and after. The four driving tours it presents are each lengthy and separate and cover movements through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The first two tours begin in Virginia following the Chancellorsville Campaign. The first tour guiders the reader on "The Confederate Advance" which took Lee's army from Virginia through the Shenandoah Valley to as far north as the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second tour, "The Union Response" is a guide to the Army of the Potomac's efforts to ascertain the goal of Lee's movements and to follow and counter them. Most of the pursuit was at a considerable distance from Lee's army, making this tour independent of the first with little overlap. The third tour "Jeb Stuart's Ride" follows the Confederate cavalry commander's fabled long ride around the Union army through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The last of the four tours covers the "Retreat from Gettysburg" including the roads Lee's Army took back to Virginia following the battle and the Union pursuit.
Each tour includes many tour stops and good brief discussions of their significance. Some of the sites discussed will be familiar to students of the battle, but virtually everyone who reads this book will learn something new. There are detailed driving directions, including GPS coordinates for those who follow one or the other of the tours in their cars. The book has photographs of much of the monumentation and commemoration of the Gettysburg campaign in places far from the battlefield. There are many photos of historic places and individuals. The writing is accessible, and the book has a good basic bibliography for those wishing to learn more.
I found this book moving as well as informative in reminding me of why I study the battle and in teaching me aspects of the campaign I didn't know. The book will benefit those with an interest in Gettysburg even if they do not get on the road and drive. A strong feature of the book is the clear and detailed maps prepared by cartographer Hal Jesperson. Detailed maps are often a rarity in Civil War books.
"The Last Road North" is part of the Emerging Civil War Series published by Savas Beatie. The series aims to provide "fresh perspectives on America's defining event" and is designed to offer a " public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War". The authors of the book, Rob Orrison and Dan Welch, each have broad experience in presenting Gettysburg history to wide audiences. The book is an excellent introduction to the Gettysburg campaign for new and experienced readers and will enhance any reader's understanding of the battle. The work amply fulfills the goals of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie, the publisher, kindly sent me a copy of the book to review.
Robin Friedman
"The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863" offers four separate driving tours which follow the movements of the Union and Confederate armies before and after the Battle of Gettysburg of July 1 -- July 3, 1863. While the Gettysburg battlefield has been visited by millions of people over the years, a much smaller number are familiar with the events leading to and following the battle itself during June to mid-July, 1863.
"The Last Road North" includes a good, succinct chapter on the battle, but the focus is on the before and after. The four driving tours it presents are each lengthy and separate and cover movements through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The first two tours begin in Virginia following the Chancellorsville Campaign. The first tour guiders the reader on "The Confederate Advance" which took Lee's army from Virginia through the Shenandoah Valley to as far north as the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second tour, "The Union Response" is a guide to the Army of the Potomac's efforts to ascertain the goal of Lee's movements and to follow and counter them. Most of the pursuit was at a considerable distance from Lee's army, making this tour independent of the first with little overlap. The third tour "Jeb Stuart's Ride" follows the Confederate cavalry commander's fabled long ride around the Union army through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The last of the four tours covers the "Retreat from Gettysburg" including the roads Lee's Army took back to Virginia following the battle and the Union pursuit.
Each tour includes many tour stops and good brief discussions of their significance. Some of the sites discussed will be familiar to students of the battle, but virtually everyone who reads this book will learn something new. There are detailed driving directions, including GPS coordinates for those who follow one or the other of the tours in their cars. The book has photographs of much of the monumentation and commemoration of the Gettysburg campaign in places far from the battlefield. There are many photos of historic places and individuals. The writing is accessible, and the book has a good basic bibliography for those wishing to learn more.
I found this book moving as well as informative in reminding me of why I study the battle and in teaching me aspects of the campaign I didn't know. The book will benefit those with an interest in Gettysburg even if they do not get on the road and drive. A strong feature of the book is the clear and detailed maps prepared by cartographer Hal Jesperson. Detailed maps are often a rarity in Civil War books.
"The Last Road North" is part of the Emerging Civil War Series published by Savas Beatie. The series aims to provide "fresh perspectives on America's defining event" and is designed to offer a " public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War". The authors of the book, Rob Orrison and Dan Welch, each have broad experience in presenting Gettysburg history to wide audiences. The book is an excellent introduction to the Gettysburg campaign for new and experienced readers and will enhance any reader's understanding of the battle. The work amply fulfills the goals of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie, the publisher, kindly sent me a copy of the book to review.
Robin Friedman
August 10, 2016
An interesting addition the the Savis Beatie series. This explores the "road to Gettysburg." The books traces several routes (not all north): (1) the Confederate movement from Fredericksburg to Gettysburg and other points in between and north); (2) the Union army's movement to Gettysburg (including the change of commanding general from Hooker to Meade); (3) JEB Stuart;s ride around the Union army--to little effect; (3) the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg and the Union forces' pursuit.
This is done nicely. The volume is not lengthy enough to provide full detail, but it does a good service with its coverage. With other books in this series, it also provides those who wish to visit sites mentioned in the book directions on how to visit such sites (including warnings about heavy traffic along certain roads)..
There are some errors. At one point, for example, General John Bell Hood is listed as a leader who was killed at Gettysburg.
Nonetheless, a nice addition to this series. . . .
This is done nicely. The volume is not lengthy enough to provide full detail, but it does a good service with its coverage. With other books in this series, it also provides those who wish to visit sites mentioned in the book directions on how to visit such sites (including warnings about heavy traffic along certain roads)..
There are some errors. At one point, for example, General John Bell Hood is listed as a leader who was killed at Gettysburg.
Nonetheless, a nice addition to this series. . . .
March 11, 2024
Gettysburg -- Before And After
"The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863" offers four separate driving tours which follow the movements of the Union and Confederate armies before and after the Battle of Gettysburg of July 1 -- July 3, 1863. While the Gettysburg battlefield has been visited by millions of people over the years, a much smaller number are familiar with the events leading to and following the battle itself during June to mid-July, 1863.
"The Last Road North" includes a good, succinct chapter on the battle, but the focus is on the before and after. The four driving tours it presents are each lengthy and separate and cover movements through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The first two tours begin in Virginia following the Chancellorsville Campaign. The first tour guiders the reader on "The Confederate Advance" which took Lee's army from Virginia through the Shenandoah Valley to as far north as the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second tour, "The Union Response" is a guide to the Army of the Potomac's efforts to ascertain the goal of Lee's movements and to follow and counter them. Most of the pursuit was at a considerable distance from Lee's army, making this tour independent of the first with little overlap. The third tour "Jeb Stuart's Ride" follows the Confederate cavalry commander's fabled long ride around the Union army through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The last of the four tours covers the "Retreat from Gettysburg" including the roads Lee's Army took back to Virginia following the battle and the Union pursuit.
Each tour includes many tour stops and good brief discussions of their significance. Some of the sites discussed will be familiar to students of the battle, but virtually everyone who reads this book will learn something new. There are detailed driving directions, including GPS coordinates for those who follow one or the other of the tours in their cars. The book has photographs of much of the monumentation and commemoration of the Gettysburg campaign in places far from the battlefield. There are many photos of historic places and individuals. The writing is accessible, and the book has a good basic bibliography for those wishing to learn more.
I found this book moving as well as informative in reminding me of why I study the battle and in teaching me aspects of the campaign I didn't know. The book will benefit those with an interest in Gettysburg even if they do not get on the road and drive. A strong feature of the book is the clear and detailed maps prepared by cartographer Hal Jesperson. Detailed maps are often a rarity in Civil War books.
"The Last Road North" is part of the Emerging Civil War Series published by Savas Beatie. The series aims to provide "fresh perspectives on America's defining event" and is designed to offer a " public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War". The authors of the book, Rob Orrison and Dan Welch, each have broad experience in presenting Gettysburg history to wide audiences. The book is an excellent introduction to the Gettysburg campaign for new and experienced readers and will enhance any reader's understanding of the battle. The work amply fulfills the goals of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie, the publisher, kindly sent me a copy of the book to review.
Robin Friedman
"The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863" offers four separate driving tours which follow the movements of the Union and Confederate armies before and after the Battle of Gettysburg of July 1 -- July 3, 1863. While the Gettysburg battlefield has been visited by millions of people over the years, a much smaller number are familiar with the events leading to and following the battle itself during June to mid-July, 1863.
"The Last Road North" includes a good, succinct chapter on the battle, but the focus is on the before and after. The four driving tours it presents are each lengthy and separate and cover movements through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The first two tours begin in Virginia following the Chancellorsville Campaign. The first tour guiders the reader on "The Confederate Advance" which took Lee's army from Virginia through the Shenandoah Valley to as far north as the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The second tour, "The Union Response" is a guide to the Army of the Potomac's efforts to ascertain the goal of Lee's movements and to follow and counter them. Most of the pursuit was at a considerable distance from Lee's army, making this tour independent of the first with little overlap. The third tour "Jeb Stuart's Ride" follows the Confederate cavalry commander's fabled long ride around the Union army through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The last of the four tours covers the "Retreat from Gettysburg" including the roads Lee's Army took back to Virginia following the battle and the Union pursuit.
Each tour includes many tour stops and good brief discussions of their significance. Some of the sites discussed will be familiar to students of the battle, but virtually everyone who reads this book will learn something new. There are detailed driving directions, including GPS coordinates for those who follow one or the other of the tours in their cars. The book has photographs of much of the monumentation and commemoration of the Gettysburg campaign in places far from the battlefield. There are many photos of historic places and individuals. The writing is accessible, and the book has a good basic bibliography for those wishing to learn more.
I found this book moving as well as informative in reminding me of why I study the battle and in teaching me aspects of the campaign I didn't know. The book will benefit those with an interest in Gettysburg even if they do not get on the road and drive. A strong feature of the book is the clear and detailed maps prepared by cartographer Hal Jesperson. Detailed maps are often a rarity in Civil War books.
"The Last Road North" is part of the Emerging Civil War Series published by Savas Beatie. The series aims to provide "fresh perspectives on America's defining event" and is designed to offer a " public history-oriented platform for sharing original scholarship related to the American Civil War". The authors of the book, Rob Orrison and Dan Welch, each have broad experience in presenting Gettysburg history to wide audiences. The book is an excellent introduction to the Gettysburg campaign for new and experienced readers and will enhance any reader's understanding of the battle. The work amply fulfills the goals of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie, the publisher, kindly sent me a copy of the book to review.
Robin Friedman
December 17, 2024
This is a grand tour of the campaign stops of both armies, the rebel cavalry and the retreat.
It has directions and stop information along all the routes. There are some maps and alot of photos. Recommend this to all who are interested in the campaign besides the battle itself.
It has directions and stop information along all the routes. There are some maps and alot of photos. Recommend this to all who are interested in the campaign besides the battle itself.
April 28, 2022
A fine tour book. As with the other books in this series, it is not comprehensive, but allows the reader to sample sights worth visiting.
February 13, 2017
The Emerging Civil War Series has been one of the more recent highlights of informative Civil War writing. The books not only feature important information on lesser known battles, but give driving instructions for people visiting the sites. One of the more intriguing projects the team has been handling recently is the Battle of Gettysburg. With the prospect of releasing one book a year per day in the battle, The Last Road North was released encompassing the whole campaign. This not only deals with the days of the battle, but the actions immediately before and after the infamous clash. Unlike the other works in this series, The Last Road North has no appendices and focuses just on the author’s words.
Robert Orrison has spent most of his life working within the realm of Gettysburg and its campaign sites as he holds a position on the board of the Civil War Trails. He has been working in the history field for over twenty years and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Historic Preservation from Longwood College and a Masters in Public History from George Mason University. Dan Welch received his Bachelors of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from Youngstown State University and his Masters of Arts in Military History from American Military University. He is a seasonal Park Ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park.
As I began to read The Last Road North, one thing stuck out to me regarding the title. The first chapter, which handles the Confederate advance into Pennsylvania, is one of the highlights of the work mainly for its tour stops and instructions. Many who have read books concerning the Battle of Gettysburg and the campaign surrounding it are familiar with many of the stops here, but very few enthusiasts have visited these sites. The instructions for these sites was one of the highlights of the book for me. Throughout the work, we have a narrative of the battle fueled by many well drawn maps and photographs all of which are written and presented excellently by the authors. The concluding chapter about the retreat and aftermath of battle was another fine example of what was accomplished in the first chapter. By giving the reader a well written documentation of how to travel these destinations, along with a narrative of what happened which elegantly presented as in the previous Emerging Civil War books. Overall, the greatest value this book can give to those interested in the Gettysburg Campaign is the opening and closing chapter about the advance and retreat from battle.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in the Gettysburg Campaign, especially for those who are just getting into the hobby and even those in middle and high school. The travel directions along with the invaluable information in this book will give you a better idea of what happened on those days. If you are a reader who wants to learn more about these sites and even visit them, I recommend this book as well. Most of these battlefields around the campaign are not visited or studied as much as they should and this work fixes that problem. Highly recommended.
Matthew Bartlett
Robert Orrison has spent most of his life working within the realm of Gettysburg and its campaign sites as he holds a position on the board of the Civil War Trails. He has been working in the history field for over twenty years and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Historic Preservation from Longwood College and a Masters in Public History from George Mason University. Dan Welch received his Bachelors of Arts in Instrumental Music Education from Youngstown State University and his Masters of Arts in Military History from American Military University. He is a seasonal Park Ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park.
As I began to read The Last Road North, one thing stuck out to me regarding the title. The first chapter, which handles the Confederate advance into Pennsylvania, is one of the highlights of the work mainly for its tour stops and instructions. Many who have read books concerning the Battle of Gettysburg and the campaign surrounding it are familiar with many of the stops here, but very few enthusiasts have visited these sites. The instructions for these sites was one of the highlights of the book for me. Throughout the work, we have a narrative of the battle fueled by many well drawn maps and photographs all of which are written and presented excellently by the authors. The concluding chapter about the retreat and aftermath of battle was another fine example of what was accomplished in the first chapter. By giving the reader a well written documentation of how to travel these destinations, along with a narrative of what happened which elegantly presented as in the previous Emerging Civil War books. Overall, the greatest value this book can give to those interested in the Gettysburg Campaign is the opening and closing chapter about the advance and retreat from battle.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in the Gettysburg Campaign, especially for those who are just getting into the hobby and even those in middle and high school. The travel directions along with the invaluable information in this book will give you a better idea of what happened on those days. If you are a reader who wants to learn more about these sites and even visit them, I recommend this book as well. Most of these battlefields around the campaign are not visited or studied as much as they should and this work fixes that problem. Highly recommended.
Matthew Bartlett
March 9, 2024
“The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign, 1863” was not as good as other Savas Beatie volumes, but I did enjoy the way the book was laid out more than other SB volumes.
Really appreciated the way the book was written. Traveling from South to North (Confederate Army invading Pennsylvania) and North to South (Confederate Army retreating from Gettysburg to Northern Virginia). Really thought that was a great way to look at how the Army of Northern Virginia moved north at the start of the Gettysburg campaign and south in retreat.
Just a quick comment. I have always enjoyed the trail guides that correspond to the Civil War tours of the battles discussed in each book, and this was no exception. However, I would have preferred them to be consolidated as its own section at the end of the book. I personally found the tour guides distracting at the end of each engagement location, and about half way through the book just stopped reading them altogether. Otherwise, I thought the book was good and worth the time to read.
Really appreciated the way the book was written. Traveling from South to North (Confederate Army invading Pennsylvania) and North to South (Confederate Army retreating from Gettysburg to Northern Virginia). Really thought that was a great way to look at how the Army of Northern Virginia moved north at the start of the Gettysburg campaign and south in retreat.
Just a quick comment. I have always enjoyed the trail guides that correspond to the Civil War tours of the battles discussed in each book, and this was no exception. However, I would have preferred them to be consolidated as its own section at the end of the book. I personally found the tour guides distracting at the end of each engagement location, and about half way through the book just stopped reading them altogether. Otherwise, I thought the book was good and worth the time to read.
August 18, 2018
Fast read following three routes of the combatants at the battle of Gettysburg, plus covers the retreat after the battle. Directions to civil war sites so one can travel those routes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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