This volume, written by Edward G. Longacre, is available from University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1986, soft- cover, 338 pages, ISBN 0-8032-7941-8.

Edward Longacre's study of cavalry operations during the early summer of 1863 has recently been released in a new soft-cover version. I agree with the comments of Civil War Times Illustrated (which appear on the book's back cover) that "this book is a must. Your Civil War library will not be complete without it." Although the title implies that the book is of a rather limited scope, it is not. The cavalry on both sides of the war were exceptionally busy during the six-week period covered by the book. The roles of cavalry in the movement of the armies to and from [Gettysburg] are presented as well as the battles of Brandy Station and Low Dutch Road. In fact, the descriptions of these two battles are the best that I've ever read.

The infantry movements are discussed sufficiently for the average student of the Civil War to be able to place the cavalry's action in the context of the campaign without detracting from the focus of the book. The five pages that comprise the Afterward chapter, are the real meat of this book. In these few pages, the author presents his hypothesis concerning the supremacy of the Union cavalry at the end of the war. Longacre asserts that the Southern cavalry advantage diminished because of the loss of material earlier in the war and the ability of Union cavalry to combine mounted and dismounted tactics as circumstances dictated. This later assertion is very similar to the one that historians attribute to General Forrest's brilliance.

In terms of a reference material for scenario development, supporting documentation will be necessary. The maps contained in the book are rudimentary in most instances and order of battles are sketch. However, the descriptions of various encounters between cavalry and foot in this book should stir the imagination of anyone interested in developing cavalry scenarios, whether one is looking for a multi-brigade cavalry versus cavalry battle like Low Dutch Road, or a skirmish battle involving a wagon train trying to prevent its capture.

Other Reviews:

Figure: 10mm GHQ "Rebellion" Range
Book: Gettysburg, Culp's Hill, and Cemetery Hill
Rules: J.E.B.!

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