Our campaign around Gettysburg

A heartfelt tribute frames this vivid portrait of the men who kept the Union’s heartland safe while the great armies clashed at Gettysburg. Through the eyes of a devoted colonel, the narrative captures the grit of New York and Brooklyn militia—men who tended to the exhausted, shared their hardships, and offered steady encouragement amid the bleakness of winter bivouacs. Their modest yet steadfast presence reveals a side of the war often eclipsed by larger battles, giving listeners a personal glimpse into the daily reality of Civil‑War service.

The book follows the militia’s crucial, though indirect, role in defending the Susquehanna valley and the threatened capital of Pennsylvania. As Confederate General Ewell’s forces pressed toward Harrisburg, the volunteer troops held the line, their resolve forcing the enemy to pause and reconsider a costly assault. This early‑stage drama sets the stage for the larger conflict, highlighting the strategic importance of ordinary soldiers whose courage helped shape the outcome of the nation’s most decisive summer.