As you can see from the cover, our new book covers the action from the time the armies leave Gettysburg until Lee’s wounded army finally crosses the Potomac.

As with all Emerging Civil War books, this is not meant to be an exhaustive study– there are other good ones for that. In the almost 170 pages, we highlight, on a day by day basis, the events that occurred during the retreat. It is also loaded with illustrations and maps. We consider this a “gateway book.” It may be all one needs to know or it may lead the reader to other, more in-depth treatments.

Although I have studied the retreat for years, you really don’t quite understand a topic until you write about it. John Imboden has become one of my heroes because of how he handled the thankless job of getting a 17-mile wagon train filled with wounded Confederate soldiers to the “safety” of the Potomac River. Along the way, he was forced to deal with attacks on the wagons, breakdowns, and of course, the screams of the wounded, many who prayed they would quickly die.

Lee does a very good job of getting his army to safety with minimal additional losses, and Jeb Stuart tries to redeem himself by effectively guarding Lee’s flanks at Hagerstown.

Meade gets his share of accolades. In command for only three days prior to the battle, Meade was naturally cautious about Lee’s intentions and routes. He probably did as well as any general in following Lee without inflicting serious losses on his already wounded army.

I am not a fan of Judson Kilpatrick, but he did a pretty good job of capturing wagons at Monterey Pass and Leitersburg. There were many other actors, but these tend to stand out.

The retreat was loaded with small-scale fights– mainly cavalry actions at Smithsburg, Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Falling Waters.

I can’t end this post without thanks to series editor, Chris Mackowski and to Thomas J. Ryan and Richard R. Schaus, who generously allowed me to use their wonderful Hal Jesperson maps that they included in their fine book, “Lee is Trapped and Must be Taken.”

Hope you enjoy the book!

The Maps of First Bull Run was my second map book. I had to hurry it along so it would be available in time for the 150th Anniversary.

I have a number of these hardback books in my attic, and yes, there is a story of why I have so many.

Storing books in a warehouse is expensive for a publisher and sometimes a title becomes too expensive to store, especially when there are many copies and the market is small.

Savas Beatie had to reduce its stock of this volume a couple of years ago. They offered me a lower price for each and those that I could not/would not buy, would be “pulped.” Yep, it’s what it sounds like– destroyed and the paper used to produce fresh paper.

I decided to buy several boxes and they are sitting in my attic, so as we approach the holiday season, I am selling them at $10 apiece and $5 for shipping. Not bad for a book that retails for $34.95.

The book follows the action from the time Gen. Irvin McDowell’s Union army leaves Washington and heads south.

It covers the movement of Johnston’s small army from the Shenandoah Valley to Manassas, and the preliminary fight at Blackburn’s Ford between James Longstreet’s brigade and Israel Richardson’s brigade is covered in several maps.

The battle of First Bull Run is covered in 26 maps.

The action at Ball’s Bluff is covered in 11 maps.

If you are interested in taking a copy of the books off of my hands for $10 (plus postage), send me an email. I can inscribe it or just sign it.

My email address is: bradgottfried@yahoo.com

I’ve been asked to provide an update on my writing projects. I have been busy.

1- The Race to the Potomac: Lee’s Retreat and Meade’s Pursuit After Gettysburg is part of the Emerging Civil War Series and has been sent to the editor. It recounts the remarkable period between July 3 through the 14 when Lee desperately attempted to reach the safety of Virginia. The rising Potomac River was an major impediment. The book recounts the events during this dramatic period. I was especially interested in Brig. Gen. John Imboden’s 17-mile long “Train of Misery.” Fending off Union cavalry and civilian attacks on the train, Imboden reached Williamsport only to find the pontoon bridge over the Potomac River gone. Worse, a Union cavalry division under Brig. Gen. John Buford was bearing down on the town and his beleaguered wagon train. It is the stuff of legends. The book recounts the drama of this episode and so many others. I think most people will enjoy reading it. My wife Linda again collaborated on this project.

2- The Maps of Second Bull Run is also finished and has been sent to Ted Savas for review. It begins with Stonewall Jackson’s Wing leaving the Peninsula and heading north to confront Maj. Gen. John Pope. The book ends with the battle of Chantilly. In between I cover the Battle of Cedar Mountain, the capture of Manassas Junction, the Battle of Kettle Run, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap, and of course the Battle of Second Bull Run. It follows the format of my other map books.

3- The Maps of the Peninsula/Seven Days is about 25% completed. I have covered Maj. Gen. George McClellan’s travels south to the Peninsula, the Siege of Yorktown, the Battle of Williamsburg, and the Battle/Skirmish at Eltham’s Landing. I am now heading toward Seven Pines. I hope to have the book finished within a year. Like all of my map books, I am learning so much. For example, I always thought the Battle of Williamsburg mainly involved Brig. Gen. Winfield Hancock against Brig. Gen. Jubal Early. WRONG. Most of the fighting was a rear-guard action involving Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s division, with support from Brig. Gen. Phil Kearny’s. James Longstreet’s division help keep the Union troops at bay for most of the day through its aggressive actions.

So, that’s what’s been keeping me busy, in addition to giving Antietam battlefield tours and Gettysburg town tours.

It’s been awhile, but the book has finally been printed. I took time away from the project to work on other books and I am already surprised by how many folks are interested in this topic. Savas Beatie has over 160 orders that I am filling. Wow!

This is the largest book (after the Maps of Gettysburg), weighing in at almost 140 map sets.

This was not an easy book to write as so many battles occurred during this period. Even Spotsylvania was subdivided into the major fights at Laurel Hill and the Mule Shoe, and lesser fights at Po River, and Myer’s Hill. Also included are several cavalry fights, including Sheridan’s Richmond Raid that included Yellow Tavern, and later Haw’s Shop. After the armies left Spotsylvania, they clashed at the North Anna River and Bethesda Church. The final action includes Cold Harbor.

I am selling this book (autographed and signed) for $35.00 plus $5.00 for shipping. I will even throw in a copy of Lee Comes to Gettysburg: The Story of the Creation of the Soldiers National Cemetery for an extra $10.

If interested, send me an email (bradgottfried@yahoo.com)

I received a request to provide an update as I haven’t posted anything since last Spring. It’s my pleasure to do so.

• Presentations: Linda and I have been doing quite a few presentations lately. Most have centered around our Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg book. We’ve now divided the presentation into two parts: “The Creation of the Gettysburg Soldiers’ National Cemetery” and “Lincoln’s Visit To Gettysburg.” We recently spoke to a very well-informed group at the York Civil War Round Table and a question was asked about why the book did not get into more detail. The beauty of the Emerging Civil War series is their brevity– under 200 fully-illustrated pages. They are not meant to be the be-all, end-all, as much as a primer to get folks interested so they can continue their journey of learning more about a topic.

• Two recent book projects: As I may have mentioned, my major activity during the pandemic-induced hibernation was Lee Invades the North: A Comparison of the Antietam and Pennsylvania Campaigns.” The book continues to sell well– mainly on Amazon and at bookstores (e.g., Civil War and More; For the Historian; Gettysburg Heritage Center). The beauty of print on demand, self-publishing is that it can be edited/changed on the fly.

The other recent book is The Antietam Paintings of James Hope. This is a slim booklet– just less than 50 pages, but is in full color and can be characterized as a “labor of love.” Linda and I worked on this together and I hope to post an update on the book in the near future.

• Maps of Spotsylvania Through Cold Harbor: Is slated to be out sometime in April, 2023. This will be a larger book than most of the other map books with the exception of Gettysburg. The Overland Campaign was supposed to span three map books, but my publisher wanted it cut back to two and most of the cutting was in this book. It is missing about 20 map sets, but will still be a good contribution to the literature.

• Upcoming book: Emerging Civil War Series book still needing a title– Could be “After Gettysburg.” Linda and I had such a positive experience in working with Chris Mackowski on the Lincoln book that we decided to pen another. This one deals with Lee’s retreat/Meade’s pursuit after Gettysburg. The drama of this period is palpable and it is unfortunate that many folks don’t know much about it. We hope to change that with this book. It is being prepared for publication now and will probably be published at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. Dean Shultz was so helpful in reading the manuscript and hauling me around the areas that we wrote about. Stay tuned.
• Upcoming book: Maps of Second Bull Run. I just finished the first draft and am now going back and reviewing/modifying the text/maps. It weighs in at about 120 map sets and begins with John Pope assuming command of the Army of Virginia and ends with the Battle of Chantilly and the beginning of the Maryland Campaign. Not sure when this will be published, but I hope sometime in 2024.
• Upcoming book: Maps of Shiloh. I am an Eastern Theater guy, but am co-authoring the Shiloh book with Sean Chick. He is a wonderful historian who is going the extra mile to make sure everything is just right. We have finished the first draft and will be editing it in the near future. Not sure when this book will be published.
• Thanks for all of your interest!

This has not been a good spring for me, health-wise. I shouldn’t complain, as it is only bad allergies that went into an upper respiratory infection, but it almost sidelined me for a month. Losing one’s voice is definitely a detriment to a tour guide. I am feeling better now and am moving forward on my project.

Here’s what I have in the works:

• Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor– Is off to the printer. I doubt whether we will see it until 2023, but I think you will like it when it finally arrives. It is my eighth map book.
• The Antietam Paintings of James Hope– This full-color booklet featuring a study of James Hope’s wonderful Antietam panorama paintings (five) is now at the printer. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it comes out well.
• Maps of the Second Bull Run Campaign- I am back to this project. Believe it or not, the fighting on August 29 along the unfinished railroad cut may have been the most confusing and difficult of all of my map books.
• Lee’s Retreat/Meade’s Pursuit book- This will be Linda and my second volume in the Emerging Civil War Series. This one still needs a name, though. The text is complete (at least the first draft). Now, I am working on the tour and Linda is handling the illustrations. Dean Shultz, the Gettysburg icon, will be taking me along on a day-long journey following in Lee’s and Meade’s footprints. I hope my 72 year old body can keep up with Dean, even though he is a decade my senior.

Stay well and enjoy the nice weather!

I continue to give talks at Civil War Round Tables. The photo below is from earlier in April (2022) when I visited the Henry Ryerson Civil War Round Table in New Jersey (which I helped form many years ago). Very good turnout and such nice folks!

Here is my upcoming schedule of talks:

May, 2022:

• 19^th: Camp May (NJ) CWRT: Lee Invades the North
• 25^th: Pipe Creek CWRT: TBD (Zoom)

June, 2022:

• 2^nd: Camp Olden CWRT (NJ): Lee Invades the North
• 10^th: Gettysburg College CW Institute Conference: Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign

15^th Jacob Rohrbach Inn (Sharpsburg Maryland): The Brigades of Antietam

23^rd: North Jersey Civil War Round Table: Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign

July , 2022:

• 19^th: Delaware Valley CWRT: Topic TBD

November, 2022:

• 11^th: Capital District CWRT (Albany, NY): Topic TBD
• 15^th: Central Penna CWRT: Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg

April, 2023:

• 11^th: Southern Maryland CWRT: TBD
• 17^th Greater Pittsburgh CWRT: Pt. Lookout Prisoner of War Camp
• 27^th: Hagerstown CWRT: TBD

June, 2023

• 12^th Rappahannock Valley CWRT: Lee Invades the North

September, 2023

• 28^th: Gettysburg CWRT: TBD  

Hope to see you at one of them!

When people ask me what I did during the worst of the pandemic, I tell them that I worked on two projects: The Brigades of Antietam, which was published last September and the Lee Invades the North book, which just came out this week.

It came out better than expected. It weighs in at 494 pages and is filled with 35 maps and 23 comparison tables. Here is the description on the back of the book’s dust jacket:

The two major battles (e.g., Antietam and Gettysburg) that ended Lee’s invasion of the North are among the most studied conflicts in the American Civil War. However, no full-book treatment comparing the two campaigns have been published—this volume attempts to rectify that deficiency.

You will find reviews and comparisons of all aspects of the two campaigns, including:

• The military and political environment at the beginning of each campaign
• Why Lee undertook the invasions
• The armies and their leaders
• The condition of the armies
• Military intelligence
• Getting to the battlefield
• Battles along the way
• Battlefield terrain
• Initial encounters
• The three phases of battle in each campaign
• The armies and their commanders-in-chiefs
• Post-campaign events
• Final thoughts

This book is written for all readers. Anyone who is not familiar with the campaigns might wish to read the entire volume; those with greater knowledge will benefit by concentrating on the comparison sections.

Lee Invades the North is illustrated with 35 maps and 23 comparison tables that illustrate the similarities and differences of the two campaigns.

The book is now available for sale. There are two versions. The hardback format retails for $39.99, but I am selling it to those who frequent this site for $35 and that includes postage. The paperback version retails for $29.99 and I am selling it for $25.00 and that includes postage. I can do Paypal (bradgottfried@yahoo.com). If interested, send me an email.

Sarah C. from Savas Beatie just sent us a review printing in the NYMAS Newsletter Winter/Spring 2021-222 (page 16). Here it is:

Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg:
The Creation of the Soldiers’ National
Cemetery and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,
by Bradley Gottfried and Linda Gottfried

There have been many books written on
Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg and his
famous address there, but few tie the battle of
Gettysburg and the deaths and burial of over
8,000 soldiers, with the creation of the Soldiers’
Cemetery and the President’s visit and speech. In
Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg, Bradley Gottfried,
the author of many books on the Civil War and
his wife, graphic designer and sculptor Linda
Gottfried, describe the proceedings concerning
the establishment and dedication of the Soldiers’
National Cemetery, concentrating on Lincoln’s
travels and two-day visit to Gettysburg on
November 18- 19, 1863. The book uses text,
anecdotes, and images to explain the founding of
the cemetery, and the ceremony memorializing
the significant actions of the Army of the
Potomac and their consequences.
In the aftermath of the battle in July, Lincoln
was invited to make a few remarks to help
dedicate the new cemetery. He spoke briefly of
the battle, the war, and the founding of the
country with the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution, but primarily of the soldiers
who survived as well as those who died and the
need to complete the task that they had begun, to
restore the nation. His 272 words inspired the
North to bring the war to an end, to preserve and
extend the rule of the people. Even the primary
orator, Edward Everett – who spoke for two
hours — was unable to summarize the issues as
well as Lincoln in his brief address.
No famous speech is shorter than Abraham
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and none has been
analyzed at greater length. Can anything still be
said about the speech that has not already been
said? The answer is yes. The Gottfrieds offer
fresh and stimulating insights on the origins,
meaning, impact, and continuing relevance of the
Address.
Their account unfolds in thirteen short
chapters, providing a blow-by-blow looks at the
circumstances, need, planning for the cemetery,
the leadership and competition between people
such as David Wills and David McConaughy,
who helped create the cemetery, the ceremony
itself, and the writing, reaction, and legacy of the
Gettysburg Address. They offer what is equally a
sympathetic and nuanced story of the individual
human beings who died in the battle and were
buried at the cemetery. The Gottfrieds carefully
intersperse the tale of the establishment of the
cemetery and the dedication with first hand
accounts of the experiences of individual soldiers
and others, thus adding many often thoughtful
details that for this writer brought to life this
crucial moment in our country’s history and
made me think about it in a new way.
Three appendices – Lincoln’s activities at
Gettysburg, the perception of the Address, and a
tour of the cemetery – plus numerous maps and
many illustration which enrich the Gottfried’s
account.
Well written, hard to put down, and an
excellent read. Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg is
among the best volumes in Savas Beatie’s
“Emerging Civil War Series” and is highly
recommended.

Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg: The Creation
of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, by Bradley
Gottfried and Linda Gottfried. El Dorado Hills,
Ca.: Savas Beatie, 2021. Pp. xii, 182. Illus.,
maps, appends., index. $14.95 paper, ISBN 978-
1-6112-1561-8. –David Marshall

I am pleased to announce that the Brigades of Antietam is now available! It is the companion to my Brigades of Gettysburg and is just as big– actually bigger as it is a larger format.

Like the Gettysburg volume, it covers all of the infantry brigades that fought at Antietam, but it has some important differences. First, it includes the cavalry and second, it covers the entire companion, from the time the armies leave their jumping off sites, through the preliminary battles (e.g., Harpers Ferry and South Mountain) and concludes with the battle of Shepherdstown (for those units that fought there). Like the Gettysburg volume, it includes tons of first-hand accounts, information on the regiments and the brigade commanders.

I go smart on this one– rather than penning all of the entries myself, I called upon a group of experts (almost 20) to contribute entries. This includes Antietam Certified Guides, Rangers, and long-term volunteers who have a passion for the campaign and it allowed them to share their knowledge of units dear to them.

There will be a subsequent volume: The Artillery of Antietam, authored by Jim Rosebrock, that will complement the Brigades book. That volume will be published in 2022.

The book was published by the Antietam Institute, a new non-profit that promotes the Antietam/Maryland Campaign. It is also publishing a journal twice a year, and hosts an annual fall conference and a spring symposium.

I encourage all of you to consider joining this worthy organization that promotes the study and better understanding of this seminal campaign. Best of all, members either get the book/journal for free, or at a reduced price, depending on the level of membership.

Check out the Institute’s website: antietaminstitute.org for additional information.