Comparing Lee’s Two Invasions of the North

In this new work Gettysburg licensed town guide and Antietam certified battlefield guide Bradley Gottfried, author of several works in Civil War history, gives us what is the first book to make detailed comparisons between Robert E. Lee’s two incursions into the North, the Maryland Campaign of 1862 and the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863. This approach allows Gottfried to demonstrate how the two campaigns compared with each other, and helps explain why Lee was unsuccessful in destroying the Army of the Potomac and ending the war.

Gottfried’s innovative and unusual approach not only covers the leaders, but makes use of over 30 valuable tables that illustrate the differences in both armies between the two campaigns. So, for example, comparing the orders of battle for each army in each campaign reveals notable similarities and differences, with important consequences for the way events unfolded. He shows us that although the number of divisions, brigades, and regiments in Lee’s army in both campaigns was more or less the same, the size of the force – i.e. his manpower -- was double at Gettysburg. Likewise, in both armies, there were many differences in the number of cannon each army fielded, but not many differences in the types of pieces employed in each campaign.

The book is organized into four parts:

         · Why Lee undertook each campaign, and the preparation by both armies; 

In each part, Gottfried first addresses the Antietam campaign and then the Gettysburg, drawing some conclusions about the comparisons. In this way he provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the campaigns and the two principal battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, within the military and political environment. Naturally we get a look at the armies and their leaders; the changing situation as the armies move and fight, intelligence, terrain, and so forth. After which he makes some final general observations and judgements.

Lee Invades the North is not the “be all and end all” of the study of these operations, but it breaks new ground in a way that Gottfried hopes will stimulate additional research.

This reviewer highly recommends Lee Invades the North as an exceptional and valuable comparative accunt of the two campaigns.

Note: Lee Invades the North is also available in hardcover.

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