Civil War Artillery at Gettysburg

A new analysis of the big guns at Gettysburg—how they worked and why they proved decisive in determining the battle's outcome.

All things related to the battle of Gettysburg continue to fascinate the reading public, but few know the artillery's important role in deciding the outcome of that epic battle. Philip Cole, a licensed Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, has now written a detailed account of the technical and organizational factors behind Union and Confederate artillery actions at Gettysburg, focusing on the operation of the artillery branches—their organization, men, equipment, ammunition, and performance.

In this fresh approach, Cole amasses technical detail on manpower, command structure, logistics, and artillery technology and analyzes each detail in light of its impact on the battle. In doing so, he never loses sight of the human drama behind the guns—the many tales of heroism and human and animal suffering of the artillery units. Cole's conclusions on the role of artillery at Gettysburg will influence historians and researchers for years to come.

Author Biography: Philip Cole was born, raised, and still lives in the historic town of Gettysburg. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, and founded his own marketing company in 1980. He has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Park since 1967. Cole is a descendant of the owner of the farm where Pickett's Charge began.