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About the Book
Artillery played an important and perhaps decisive role at the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. Although many hundreds of books have been published on the battle, few have focused on the artillery. Silent Sentinels fills this flaring gap in the literature.
This well-written and illustrated study was designed for both the casual battlefield visitor and the serious scholar. The former will use Silent Sentinels to tour the battlefield, browse existing guns, ponder the many photographs, and learn more about artillery in general; the latter will find the extensive primary sources, diagrams, appendices of numbers and losses, and informative discussion of organization and tactics an indispensable reference resource.
Silent Sentinels discusses in detail every gun-type used at Gettysburg, the equipment needed to operate the guns, their organization, and the tactics employed by both Union and Confederate artillery men. In addition to a history of the artillery and how it was used, the author includes chapters on the park’s collection of 436 guns, the pieces on display at the field today, how to identify the different types of cannon, and how to identify the date and place of manufacture.
Silent Sentinels concludes with a driving tour of the battlefield, specially designed with the artillery in mind. This lovely historical guide, complete with detailed endnotes and bibliography, will be a welcomed addition to the growing Gettysburg titles.
Review
“I highly recommend this work to anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg. A welcome addition to the Gettysburg scholarship which will be used not only by students of the war, but by scholars for years to come.” – Gettysburg Chronicle
“This book is essential for the novice but has enough meat to make it highly worthwhile for the enthusiast as well. It is strongly recommended.” – Civil War News
https://www.gettysburgdaily.com/gettysburg-artillery-part-11-with-licensed-battlefield-guide-george-newton/
George W. Newton is a native of Baltimore and a 1973 graduate of McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Newton served in Vietnam War and is a retired executive from the insurance industry. He lives with his wife of 33 years near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park.
