GDG- "Maps of Gettysburg" and Day Two

[Jim Lamason]

Bruce, 

When it comes to in space in time, in other words, how did this all look
from an overview? In the sequence of events how did this all pan out? 

It's a huge puzzle that I have played out in my mind several times over. 

I agree with your assessment though. It would help. 

Jim 

-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of Batrinque at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:26 PM
To: gettysburg at arthes.com
Subject: GDG- "Maps of Gettysburg" and Day Two

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


 
 
A comment about "The Maps of Gettysburg" and its depiction of Longstreet's  
attack on the Second Day -- not really a criticism, but an observation:
 
The "Map Set" approach Gottfried adopts (one set for Little Round Top,  
another for the Devil's Den, another for the Wheatfield, another for the
Peach  
Orchard, etc.) allows depiction of the various actions in considerable (and

clear) detail, but ...  But it is hard for someone without an  existing good

handle on the overall action to mentally connect those map  sets into a
coherent 
whole that properly conveys the sequence and simultaneity  of that day's 
fighting on the Union left wing.  I am particularly sensitive  to this
problem 
because for far too many years I was never able to get a clear  mental
picture of 
those events into my thick skull (despite reading Harry  Pfanz's
"Gettysburg: 
The Second Day" and other works).  I suppose that part  of the problem was
that 
I never had a clear understanding of the spatial  relationship of the
various 
terrain features (for some reason, I was prone to  envisioning the Peach 
Orchard too far south).  Not until last year when I  carefully drove and
walked the 
ground -- and studied the comprehensive maps in  John Imhof's book (and the 
excellent animated maps of TravelBrain's "Gettysburg  Expedition Guide") did
I 
finally understand on a gut level what is where and  really understand the 
sequence of events.
 
If I were to suggest a revision of "The Maps of Gettysburg" it would be to  
add one or more supplementary larger scale maps to explicitly connect events
at 
 Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, etc..  

Bruce  Trinque
Amston, CT






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