GDG- Speaking of Artillery

[Margaret D. Blough]

What is clear is that Alexander had the admiration and support of some very high ranking officers and their staffs, presumably based, in large part, upon his abilities.  He actually wrote two books, "Military Memoirs of a Confederate" was the book he published during his lifetime. It was, as Gary Gallagher points out in his introduction to "Fighting for the Confederacy" much more of a scholarly history than a more personal work, intentionally devoid of the candid opinions and observations that have made "Fighting for the Confederacy" so popular.  "Fighting for the Confederacy" was written by Alexander for his family late in his life but prior to his writing "Military Memoirs of a Confederate."  The handwritten manuscript was mixed in with early drafts of "Military Memoirs" and confused with them.  After decades of debate as to it existed and, if it existed, it was lost, Gallagher edited and published "Fighting for the Confederacy" in 1989.

As for Latimer, I'm not sure it was so much an intentional sacrifice but a factor of the need to counteract the Union guns on Cemetery Hill while lacking a position nearly as good.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Robert Lawrence" <lawrence at rwlcpa.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> I wonder if Alexander really was the boy wonder. In my mind he has two 
> things going for him . His famous off road excursion and subsequent 
> activities as Gettysburg and he wrote a great book-Fighting for the 
> Confederacy. But I wonder just how good was he? 
> 
> Another I wonder about is the Boy Major (latimer?) and how good he really 
> was and whether he was deliberately sacrificed at GB. 
> 
> 
> Robert W Lawrence CPA 
> _________________ 
> 1Peter 5:7 
> 
> 
> 
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