Sources sighted and commented upon
Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
Baster, Roy P. "Letter From President Lincoln to Major General George G. Meade." The American Civil War Home Page. 12 Jan. 2005. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/lincolnmeadeletter.htm>.
A letter from president Lincoln to Union General Meade expressing his disappointment when Meade did not pursue General Lee and his army after the Battle of Gettysburg. Despite this letter never actually being sent, we learned from this letter of how Lincoln was dissatisfied with Meade missing his “golden opportunity” to defeat the army of General Lee and make the Confederates army chances of winning the war inauspicious. This is important because it shows how the war continued after the battle of Gettysburg even though the army of General Lee was severely crippled. In the letter Lincoln suggests that if Meade had pursued Lee’s army he would have had the upper hand and could have permanently defeated them and turned the war in their favor.
Bates, Samuel P. "The Battle of Gettysburg." Google Books. T.H. Davis and Co. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://books.google.com/books?id=rPOCXCUyIrwC>.
Samuel Bates was a Confederate officer and so a second opinion is obtained through his point of view. Again this is a primary source which can be biased at times but for the most part are the most reliable. Seeing the battle from the viewpoint of the Confederate army helps us to understand what it was like to lose such an important battle and how that one loss turned the tide of the war.
Clutz, Jacob A., and Elsie Singmaster. "The Battle of Gettysburg." Pennsylvania History. 3rd ed. Vol. 5. Penn State UP, 1938. 166-78. Print.
This source was a retelling of a younger girls experience living near where the battle took place, along with someone assisting her writing it. This source will help with seeing how the battle affected the surrounding areas, the local effect of the battle, if it proves useful. This article was published by the Pennsylvania State University, so the source must be valid; the only question is how useful it will be.
Gregg, D. M., John Newton, and Daniel Butterfield. "Further Recollections of Gettysburg." The North American Review. By Daniel E. Sickles. 412th ed. Vol. 152. University of Northern Iowa, 1891. 257-86. Print.
In this excerpt, four Major-Generals who were around the battle of Gettysburg reflect on what they saw. They talk about the moves the armies made, and how the battle affected the area, and the rest of the war. Seeing as it was written by officers in the army, the authors would know what they were talking about. The only problem the source would have is how much information there is relevant to our question.
Haskell, Franklin Aretas. "The Battle of Gettysburg." Google Books. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. <http://books.google.com/books?id=Ih1CAAAAIAAJ>.
Franklin Haskell graduated from Dartmouth University in 1854 and from there he went on to become a lawyer. He was a lawyer until 1861 when the Civil War broke out and he was commissioned June 20th of that year. He worked his way up the ranks and by the end of the war was named General Francis A. Walker. He was at the battle of Gettysburg making this book a primary source. The book was published in 1908 when he was eighty years old, but still young enough to remember all that happened on that fateful day.
Rollins, Richard M. "General Robert E Lee January 1864." Pickett's Charge: Eyewitness Accounts at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 2005. 25-27. Print.
This is an excerpt from a collection of eyewitness accounts of the battle, and in this case, it is a report of the battle by the commander of the Confederate forces, Robert E. Lee. That makes this a very reliable primary source, with the intention of seeing the results of the battle, specifically Picket’s Charge, through the eyes of the Confederacy. Even Though it was an important battle, Lee does not seem to care too much.
Young, Jesse Bowman. The Battle of Gettysburg; a Comprehensive Narrative,. New York: Harper, 1913. Print.
A novel written by Jesse bowman Young, an officer who during the battle of Gettysburg, who was detached from his regiment and witnessed the battle. In the following years, Young also lived in the area for twelve years after the war, making him a very reliable source. In the book he describes the events and motive leading up to the battle, the strategy during the battle, and some of the aftermath of the battle.
Secondary Sources
Andrade, Philip. "The Battle of Gettysburg Resource Center - Casualties." The Battle of GettysburgResourceCenter - Index. 11 Apr. 2004. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://gburginfo.brinkster.net/Casualties.htm>.
A research team went through firsthand documents of the battle of Gettysburg to find as many statistics about the loss of men during the battle as possible. The amount of detail that this particular research team went to was a very good source of information, while the research team itself stated that they could not give precise information for the losses sustained by the south because of how the Confederation did not want to admit their full losses. However, the information about the Union army is quite accurate.
Andrews, J. C. "The Press Reports." Pennsylvania History. 2nd ed. Vol. 31. Penn State UP, 1964. 176-98. Print.
In this article, the battle’s aftermath in the form of press reports is explored. This is very useful for seeing the influence of the battle, and how people reacted to it. This should help us narrow down a more focused answer, and more focused questions. The source is very good, as it is a quarterly journal published by the Pennsylvania State University. This makes it a very reliable source, and it could be very helpful with narrowing down our topic.
Bancroft, Hubert H. "After Gettysburg."12 July 2002. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. <http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html /The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_III/gettysburg_fc.html>.
Excerpt form Volume 3 of The Great Republic by the Master Historians published in 1900 edited by American Historian Hubert H. Bancroft, an American Historian who specializes in civil war studies. The articles main focus is on the aftermath of the battle at Gettysburg and how it led to General Robert E. Lee’s army’s downfall. The article discusses how conditions such as loss of troops, small skirmishes, and even weather after Gettysburg contributed to the confederate’s failure. From the article we’ve observed how General Lee’s army was dwindled into submission in the days following the Battle of Gettysburg.
Battle of Gettysburg." The History Place. 10 Apr. 1996. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/battle.htm>.
History place gives a history of how the event came to pass and what happened at the battle itself. But the website does not go beyond the history itself to try and find a greater meaning in the historic battle. They view it as just a significant landmark in the greater scheme of the Civil War. If we as a group want to know more about the battle of Gettysburg and how it was a turning point in history, we need the basic information provided in this source to lay down the foundations of our project, but we will need to look at this battle with higher thought if we are to complete a successful project.
Catton, Bruce. Mr. Lincoln's Army. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1951. Print.
Award winning author and historian Bruce Catton writes this book focusing on General George B. McClellan’s command of the Northern Army of the Potomac, an army present at the Battle of Gettysburg. Catton observes that McClellan was a “celebrity” general. His major contribution to his army was morale. However, it was McClellan’s tendency to hesitate that relieved him of his duty. From this we have learned about the creation of the Army of the Potomac and their experiences leading up to their victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Chadwick, Randy. "The Battle of Gettysburg-Setting the Stage." The Battle of Gettysburg & The American Civil War. Brotherswar, 13 Aug. 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://www.brotherswar.com/>.
Randy Chadwick expresses an extremely detailed history of the battle of Gettysburg. His first entry is on the very first day of the battle, and he goes on to have 27 separate entries on the first day alone. When he gets to the second day of the battle he has yet another 27 entries solely on the second day of the battle. And finally for the third day he writes his last 27 entries. All in all Randy Chadwick writes one of the most thorough and useful sources available.
Churchill, Winston. "If Lee Had Not Won the Battle of Gettysburg." The Wisconsin Magazine of History 44.4 (1961): 243-51. Print.
Winston Churchill observes the possible outcomes on history if General Robert E. Lee had not won the battle at Gettysburg under the assumption that he had. This particular article has been published several times in different magazines. In the article, he observes the political and ethical variations that may have occurred if Lee had not won. Such of which include the formation of a coalition government that had major effects on the rest of the war, and the battles between union and confederate forces that would’ve led to the confederates downfall. Form this we have seen how not all agree that the Union won the battle of Gettysburg and how the course of history could have easily been altered in the battle, making it a pivotal point in history.
Creighton, Margaret S. "Chapter 7: The Aftermath." The Colors of Courage: Gettysburg's Forgotten History : Immigrants, Women, and African-Americans in the Civil War's Defining Battle. New York: Basic, 2005. 145-55. Print.
This book, which looks at the role of women, immigrants, blacks, and other minorities head in the Battle of Gettysburg, and this excerpt looks at the aftermath of the battle for them. This chapter shows the press reaction to the battle for the Union and Confederacy, and the impact on the communities around the battle.
Donald, David Herbert, and Richard Nelson. Current. Why the North Won the Civil War. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1960. Print.
Civil war historian David Herbert Donald writes about the reasons why the North prevailed in the Civil War focusing mainly on the economic and political reasons. From this book we have learned of the economic superiority the North had and how the civilian resources of the South were dissipated during the war. Additionally, we understand the deficiencies of the Southern military strategy and leadership, and how the reluctance of France and England to aid the South helped the North win. Lastly, Donald mentions how excessive Southern emphasis on individual freedom fatally undermined military discipline.
Faust, Drew Gilpin. This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.
President of Harvard University and Civil War Historian Drew Gilpin Faust observes how the massive casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg helped reunite the country through sadness. From this source we have learned how feelings of hatred between North and South dissipated in the future generations of the fallen soldiers. Faust describes how through the pain of loss our divided country came together in grief. This common pain helped the Union prevail as it was their goal to reunite the country.
Gallagher, Gary W., and Alan T. Nolan. The Myth of the Lost Cause and Civil War History. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2000. Print.
Civil war historians Gary Gallagher and Alan Nolan define and discuss the “The Myth of the Lost Cause” set of beliefs. From this book we have learned that the Lost Cause was the set of beliefs widely accepted by Southerners after the war that influenced their interpretation of the Civil War history. Additionally, we have the key aspects of this belief were that the antebellum South was a paradise, the civil war was caused by unjust Northerners, the South fought to protect their rights and not slavery, Lincoln’s inauguration caused the South’s session, and other beliefs that portrayed the South as the victim of the North. Lastly, the book showed how the Lost Cause belief had an effect on American Culture and Civil War legacy and how modern historians tend not to follow these beliefs.
Gallagher, Gary W. Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 2008. Print.
Award winning historian Gary Gallagher observes in this book how art and entertainment have shaped our views of the civil war and how they reflect the values of various civil war movements. The movements Gallagher observers are Lost Cause, Union, Emancipation, and Reconciliation. He shows the progression of these four movements through past art and entertainment. He relates such movies as Gone with the wind and The Birth of a Nation to the movements of their time period. From this book we have learned more the generations after the civil war’s views and how it is represented in art and media.
Gallagher, Gary W. Lee and His Generals in War and Memory. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State UP, 1998. Print.
Professional Civil War military historian Gary Gallagher writes about the successes and failures of General Robert E. Lee in the battle of Gettysburg and denounces the many misconceptions about him. From this book we have learned how the North viewed General Lee and his troops in Virginia as the “crucial arena of the war” (pg 211-212). In Gallagher's view Lee's popularity kept the Confederates going long after the military situation was hopeless. He also goes into great detail about the accomplishments of Lee’s inferior generals.
Gwynne Dyer The Hamilton Spectator. "The American Civil War: What if? ; If the South had won Gettysburg, would 'rogue' U.S.A. have defeated Canada?." Spectator (Hamilton, Ont.). 12 Apr. 2011: A11. eLibrary. Web. 08 May. 2011.
This source focuses on the long-term affects of the battle of Gettysburg if the Confederates had won. This is very useful to our essential question. The only potential problem with the source is that it is not the most reliable, as it is an editoral from a writer who is unknown to me.
Hough, John. "Seen the Glory: A Novel of the ..." Google Books. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://books.google.com/books?id=r985pBESsj4C>.
John Hough is a historian who writes about especially historic moments in history and puts them into a readable story. He takes a soldier from the Union army and makes the book on that one soldier and from his point of view. John Hough researched on soldiers who wrote books themselves or left memoirs so that he
could write the book the way that he did.
LaFantasie, Glenn. "Lincoln and the Gettysburg Awakening." Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. 1st ed. Vol. 16. University Of Illinois, 1995. 73-89. Print.
This source talks about the affect of the battle of Gettysburg on Lincoln and his Gettysburg address, and the affect of Lincoln on the battle. It talks about the legacy the battle and the address left in the area around Gettysburg. Published by a college and for the Abraham Lincoln association, the source is reliable, but it seems to be too focused on the Gettysbur Address.
McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom: the Civil War Era. New York: Oxford UP, 1988. Print.
Civil War historian and Princeton University Professor James McPherson writes about the political, social, and military events that led to the outbreak of one war in Mexico to the ending of another at Appomattox. This book is widely considered the author’s most famous. From this book we have learned more of the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, the battles of the Civil War, the strategic maneuvering on both sides, the politics, and the personalities. Highlights of the book include McPherson’s unique views on the origins of the Republican Party, the causes of secession, and the Reasons for the Union's victory.
Ostrowski, James. "Economy in The Civil War." Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. 12 July 2002. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.shmoop.com/civil-war/economy.html>.
James Ostroski is a military historian who graduated from Cornell. The source gave very in depth information about the cotton production before and during the civil war. Because the north had more factories to produce food it could support its army better than the South. James also mentions how the North had more access to ammunition during the war which helped them a lot.
Pierce, Francis Marshal. "The Battle of Gettysburg: the Crest ..." Google Books. The Neale Publishing Company, 13 Apr. 1914. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://books.google.com/books?id=9LwVAQAAMAAJ>.
A book written some fifty years after the battle of Gettysburg, this shows the battle of Gettysburg as “The Crest Wave of the Civil War”, a title which means that the battle of Gettysburg was the final crescendo of the Civil War and that afterwards the war was almost one-sided. Francis Marshall Pierce wrote this to show the side of the battle that was not a constant blood feud, but the side of the battle that divided the North and the South United States. He wants to show how even though this battle divided us as a country; we can still come together as one again.
Quinn, Camilla A. "Soldiers on Our Streets: The Effects of a Civil War Military Camp on the Springfield Community." Illinois Historical Journal 86.4 (1993): 245-56. Print.
During the Civil War the battles and necessities of both the confederates and union took its toll on American Communities. Camilla Quinn, an American Historian who has written often about the civil war, observes the short and long term effects on Springfield, Illinois during the civil war after a military camp is
founded there. At first she tells of how the residents of Springfield enjoyed the soldiers company, but later how they resented it a when the war took a turn for the worse. The community lost many luxuries and resources in order to support the war effort. Towns people had their homes occupied, buried dead on their land, and sacrificed resources to the soldiers such as food and lumber. Even after the soldiers left, the community of Springfield, Illinois still felt the impact of the war in the form of taxes.
Rafuse, Ethan Sepp. Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy, 1863-1865. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008. Print.
Ethan Rafuse is a history professor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and an author. In this book he looks over the strategy and battle tactics of General Robert E Lee. Rafuse describes Lee’s tactics as very offensive and aggressive. He also says that his offensive maneuvers lead to his army’s defeat. This book was helpful because it showed us a more focused opinion about why the Confederates lost the battle of Gettysburg.
Rawlings, Hunter R. "Battle of Gettysburg/Civil War / Study Tours / Cornell CAU." Welcome! / Home / Cornell Continuing Education. 7 Oct. 2005. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. <http://www.sce.cornell.edu/cau/off_campus/courses.php?v=10017>.
An introduction for a seminar about the effects the Battle of Gettysburg had on the Civil war put on by past Cornell President Hunter R. Rawlings III, Joel H. Sibley the President White Professor of History at Cornell, and military historian David Sibley. In this introduction, the professors label the Battle of Gettysburg as the beginning of “the slow spiral downward to Southern defeat”. From this source we’ve learned more of how Lee was enable to continue his conquest of the North after the Battle of Gettysburg. It also provided significant quotes from Abraham Lincoln such as “[this nation is] the last hope, best hope of humankind”.
Reardon, Carol. Pickett's Charge in History and Memory. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1998. Print.
Military historian Carol Reardon writes about the legacy of the men involved and the meaning behind Pickett’s charge. This source was recommended to us by David Sibley, another military historian. Although the details of the charge are unclear, it is undisputed that the men under general Pickett’s command were the greatest heroes of Gettysburg. Reardon mentions in chapter five a battle field reunion of survivors of Pickett's Division and members of the Philadelphia Brigade. She observes that despite them once being enemies, the reunion and admirable courage they displayed quelled any harsh feelings. From this we have learned not only how Pickett’s charge was an important aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg, but how it brought together veterans of the war afterward.
Seitter, John R. "Union City: Philadelphia and the Battle of Gettysburg." Gdg.org. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://www.gdg.org/Research/Authored%20Items/seiter.htm>.
An article by John Seitter from Gettysburg Magazine reprinted online about further background taking place before the Battle of Gettysburg. The article uses many sources to support the argument as noted in the footnotes. From this article, our group has learned of how the Lincoln administration came into focus before the battle, what influence politics had on the war, as well as descriptions of a few skirmishes leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. Additionally, the article explains how the news of the battle traveled across the countries in newspapers and through telegraphs. We find this article most valuable because of how it depicts president Lincoln’s role in the Civil War.
