GDG- Understanding the battle of Gettysburg

[Charles Kann]

Dave,

 

>>> I want to thank everyone for the discussions on Heth, Stuart, et al.
Now,

>>> what essential books would your recommend for the person who, lets say,
is

>>> "training" to be a guide?  Part 2, how would you approach the battle to

>>> understand it thoroughly?  Do you treat it like most research, read all
the

>>> surveys then work down to the days, then maybe regiments and
personalities?

 

    I went on a tour with Tim Smith and Gary Adelman once, and someone asked
this question.  Gary said something like to begin to understand the battle
you have to know the players, and to know the players you have to memorize
all the brigades that were at Gettysburg.  At Gettysburg there were
something like 37 brigades in the ANV, 3 corps each with 3 divisions, all
divisions but 3 had 4 brigades, 2 had 5 brigades and 1 had 3.  The AOP had
something like 7 corps with 19 divisions, 7 having 2 brigades, 11 having 3
and 1 having 4; or a total of 51 brigades.  So in total you would have to
"memorize" or learn somehow about around 88 brigades (I am sure someone will
correct me if I am wrong).  

 

    I know nothing about the LBG test, but I personally found that once I
had the 88 brigades in my head, I could follow what was going on much
better, so I think it is very good advice.  Once you know the brigades, you
know basically where they started each action and so their participation
makes much more sense.  You know the command structure.  Basically you know
the players.

 

    I really liked Gary Adelman's advice about memorizing the brigades, and
I would recommend it to any serious student of the battle.

 

Chuck Kann