New book on Gettysburg retreat

[Mike N]

Apologies for the shameless self promotion. I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to post this so I got the OK first from Paul Calloway.

My co-authors Eric Wittenberg and J.D. Petruzzi are proud to announce that our book One Continuous Fight: The Retreat From Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army July 4-14, 1863 will be released in May. Our publisher, Savas Beatie, has a page for it up on their website at:

http://www.savasbeatie.net/books/OCF_book.htm

Not all of the features on the site (author interviews etc.) are operational yet but they should be complete shortly so please give it a look.

We offer an in-depth study of the nearly two dozen fights and skirmishes that took place along the retreat routes. From the midnight fight in Monterey Pass to mounted cavalry charges in the streets of Hagerstown, these actions are probably the least studied aspect of the Gettysburg Campaign. Included in the book are detailed driving tours so visitors can see first-hand where this story unfolded and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the fighting that continued well after the three day battle.

As the AC forum members are a learned bunch, I'll look forward to your reviews.

Regards,

Mike Nugent

[tomp40]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Mike, looking forward to this book.. I buy these books via Casemate Publishing for my company which is a national wholesaler. Savas Beatie publishes some nice stuff. Best of luck to you!

[Gary of CA]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Savas-Beatie has an excellent track record with the Military/History Book Club. One in four of their books is picked up by them and one of them, a WW II story, is being made into a color talkie.

[Mbond057]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Mike,

My Great-Great Grandfather Captain Frank A. Bond was with commander of A Company 1st MD Cav., Company A, C.S.A. He led a Cavalry charge in the streets of Hagerstown. He was wounded and taken prisoner during that battle. He was released later in a prisoner exchange.

Here is some information that was taken out of the Maryland Archives and from his after action report and Lieutenant Thomas Griffith after action battle report and personal letters.

“In Hagerstown, Captain Bond led a cavalry charge in the city streets against a superior number of union cavalry and infantry allowing the confederate army to continue their retreat back into the south after the Gettysburg battle. In the hand to hand fighting that ensued, Captain Bond in an effort to rally his troops charged into the union lines on his horse and with his pistol drawn shot Union Major Ulric Dahlgren in the leg (which later was amputated) and scattering the remaining union forces which broke and ran leaving the confederate forces an avenue out of the town to continue their retreat. An hour later, the remaining confederate forces were safely out of Hagerstown and headed south.”

[Mike N]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Great information Mark. My G-G-Grandfather fought with the 6th US Cavalry and I know how cool it is to have specific accounts of our ancestor's actions.

The fighting in Hagerstown is a rare example of a mounted, urban cavalry battle and a truly amazing story. The Potomac Avenue Historic District was was the site of heavy mounted street fighting during the July 6 battle between Union cavalry and Confederate cavalry and infantry units. Ulric Dahlgren was wounded in the town square where Potamac Avenue intersects Washington Street. All the while Hagerstown civilians viewed the fighting from adjacent rooftops. We devote a chapter each to the Hagerstown fighting on July 6th and July 12th.

I hope you'll enjoy our account of these actions.

Regards,

Mike Nugent

[Mbond057]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Mike,

I look forward to reading the book. I am curious to see if my family history stay trued to the historical facts or was there a lot of “War Stories” being shared as facts to build family myths. I think soldiers to an extent, and as they get older tend to amplify the good deeds up and beyond. :)

I know my own military stories get better every time I tell them. :)

Thanks for sharing,

[6thLouisiana]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Check the book out on Amazon. Nice pre-publication discount.

yours,
Dirk Behana
6th Louisiana

[Mike N]

... I am curious to see if my family history stay trued to the historical facts or was there a lot of “War Stories” being shared as facts to build family myths...

Mark,

We quote Captain Bond several times and relay the exploits of the his Company A, 1st Maryland (CSA) in our chapter on the July 6th fighting. I'll look forward to hearing to how our accounts measure up to your family stories! (I also sent you an email regarding an upcoming project. Please get back to me.)

Regards,

Mike Nugent

[Mbond057]

Re: New book on Gettysburg retreat

Mike,

I just sent an email with family photos to you. I hope you can use the information I provided in your future research project and publications.

On behalf of my family, thank you for honoring my family in your book.

Respectfully,

[Mike N]

Apologies for still more shameless self promotion, but I wanted to provide an update on my upcoming book:

Eric, J.D. and I are happy to announce that our website for "One Continuous Fight - The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863" is up and running at: http://gettysburgretreat.com/ The site includes information about “One Continuous Fight” from the book jacket, the table of contents, brief excerpts from each chapter, author interviews, the schedule of our planned appearances and signings, etc.

I'd appreciate any feedback on both the site as well of course as on the book once it hits the shelves later this month.

Best regards,

Mike Nugent