On the first of July, 1863, the citizens of the quiet Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg peered from their windows in terror. Gray-clad soldiers—strangers—were tramping down their streets. Then, from west of the town, came the boom of big guns. For hours, Southern troops and Federal calvary struggled in what was to become the bloodiest, saddest engagement of the Civil War.

From his extensive knowledge of the War Between the States, MacKinlay Kantor brings to life this historic battle of long ago. His book, however, is much more than an account of advances and retreats, of defeats and victories. It is the story of the men and women who heard the whine of shells and felt the sting of woulnds during three horrible days of bloodshed.

From inside the book