GDG- Maps

[Robert Davis]

Snip "I'll have to take a look at that part of the Travelbrains CD .. I am working on Pfanz 2 right now (about half-way thru chapter 15 - up to p.365 to be exact) and I'm trying to relate the various battles and maneuvers according to time (which is, I understand, pretty difficult if not impossible to nail down with any measure of confidence) within the four hour (per Coddington p. 410) window .. I am keeping a date and time log of the campaign (down to hours and minutes Jul 1-3), which, while I'm sure there are plenty of inaccuracies, helps me gain a bit of a handle on things .. that, along with continual study of the maps and O/R and supplemental material makes for a rather slow but steady study .. since I began my "intensive" Gettysburg study in August, I've gone thru about 2/3 of Martin, all of Pfanz 1, re-read and studied Sears and Coddington, and now Pfanz 2 .. Pfanz "3" ie  Culp's Hill/Cemetery Hill is next, then I have two day 3 studies, the new Stuart book, the
 retreat book, and quite a few more specialized studies .. having fun and I guess it's keeping me somewhat out of mischief! .. tom g"

My favorite day of the battle is Day 2.  It is also very confusing.  I've read Phanz, Sears, Trudeau, and Imhof.  I have hired LBG John Baniszewski twice for full day tours with concentration on Day 1 and Day 2.  I have also walked the battlefield three times in the last 2 years.  The books and maps are helpful, but it's when you get on the ground and look at things that the big "Ah Hah!" sets in.  The tree clearing has helped tremendously.  Last summer, I was on top of Houck's Ridge and walked down to the triangular field, cleared in 2005 I believe.  You then start to get a better perspective of the 1st Tx assault on the Devil's Den.  

Ultimately, time on the ground is the best educator, especially with the help of a good LBG, such a John.

Hint:  Hire the LBG for the day.  It's expensive, but well worth the cost.  I don't think I could be satisfied with just 2 hours of their time.

Bob