Kirjahaku

Gerard A. Patterson's story throws light on a much neglected aspect of American Civil War history and provides a compelling story in its own right. Some 30 black and white photographs vividly capture the scene and atmosphere in the little town of Gettysburg when the fighting was at last over.

"Rebels from West Point" tells the story of the 306 officers who, after receiving a West Point education and swearing to uphold the values of the Union, defected to serve the Confederacy. The author examines this fascinating group of officers, describing the heart-wrenching choice they made and how, even after they "went South", they remained connected to the brotherhood of their former West Point cadets. Among the more famous personalities included in this group are Gen. Robert E. Lee, Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, General J E B Stuart, General A. P. Hill, General James Longstreet, and General John B Hood.

When the battle at Gettysburg ended, over 21,000 Union and Confederate wounded lay helpless in the shattered woods and decimated fields surrounding the small town. Amazingly, an unprecedented number of volunteers from both the North and South, including the U.S. Sanitary Commission and the U.S. Christian Commission, soon descended upon the isolated town, bringing with them much-needed medical attention, supplies, and food. This is the story of the aftermath of a battle, in all its dreadful intensity. - The fate of the wounded - Civil War hospitals examined