The Gettysburg Campaign: Meade and Lee's Post-Battle Movements, July 14-31, 1863

Jeffrey Hunt's book, 'Meade and Lee After Gettysburg: The Forgotten Remaining Stage of the Gettysburg Campaign,' sheds light for Civil War enthusiasts on a long-overlooked aspect of history. Contrary to popular belief, the Gettysburg Campaign did not conclude on July 14 at the Potomac. Instead, it continued for another two weeks in central Virginia along the Rappahannock River. Dive into this captivating narrative of events from Falling Waters to Culpeper Court House, spanning July 14-31, 1863.

After Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed back to Virginia, the Lincoln administration urged General George Meade to pursue promptly. Meade didn't follow directly but instead took a strategic approach, moving south on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This maneuver aimed to outsmart Lee, seizing key gaps in the rugged terrain. The plan was to corner Lee in the Shenandoah Valley's northern expanse, potentially securing the long-awaited victory for the Union forces. This cat-and-mouse campaign unfolded as a crucial chapter preceding the Battle of Gettysburg in July.

In the weeks that followed, a gripping chess match unfolded with high stakes — featuring intense drama marked by relentless marching, cavalry charges, fierce skirmishes, and strategic battles that could have sparked a decisive clash to end the conflict in the Eastern Theater. Throughout this period, there was a prevailing realization: soldiers in the Union ranks, from ordinary soldiers to high-ranking officers, were acutely aware of the formidable threat posed by General Lee's lethal army.

Meade and Lee After Gettysburg, the primary of three volumes on the campaigns waged between the 2 adversaries from July 14 by the tip of 1863, depends on the Official Information, regimental histories, letters, newspapers, and different sources to supply a day-by-day account of this fascinating high-stakes affair. The vivid prose, coupled with authentic maps and excellent pictures, presents a major contribution to Civil Battle literature.

Because of Hunt these necessary two weeks—till now overshadowed by the battle of Gettysburg and virtually utterly ignored by writers of Civil Battle historical past—have lastly gotten the eye they’ve lengthy deserved. Readers won’t ever view the Gettysburg Marketing campaign the identical manner.