as a three days' battle, but correctly as three battles, on three successive days. There was to both sides the unexpected battle on Willoughbys' Run, three miles west of the town, with its Confederate success. There was the second battle, when in the afternoon of the second day, Longstreet at last struck the extreme left flank of the Federal army, and defeated Sickles at the Peach Orchard. And there was the third battle, when on the afternoon of the third day, Pickett's column struck the left centre of the enemy's line on the ridge, and, unsupported, fell back, a broken, exhausted wave from the overwhelming numbers holding a strong position. No important part of the struggle is omitted. The condition of the armies on both sides is carefully narrated, the arrivals on the field, the delays, the confusions, the mistakes are told candidly. Many books have been written from many viewpoints, and, no doubt, sincere attempts to do justice to all have been made. But nowhere, we believe, is there so just and impartial a narrative of the struggle around the little Pennsylvania town, on which hung so critically the issues of the whole war, and the turning point of American history.
The author has not failed to see that from the Southern side, the reason for failure at Gettysburg are to be found in a number of facts. There was the unfortunate absence of Stuart and his cavalry, for which he accounts in the weakness of indefinite instructions from the commanding general; the lack of a prompt and vigorous initiative on the part of Gen. Ewell on the evening of the first day; the unsoldierly recalcitration of Gen. Longstreet, and his lack of sympathy with the wishes of Gen. Lee; and yet more pervading and controlling, the loss of Stonewall Jackson. "With the fatal shot which struck down Stonewall Jackson began the series of disastrous events leading to the conquest of the Confederacy."
The author of this book is an educated professional soldier, acquainted with the principles of military science, as taught in the English schools, and as exemplified in all modern warfare. From this standpoint his criticisms are made, and will be regarded, we are confident, with much respect. In his view, the Richmond government erred in not concentrating all possible
