"The Devil's to Pay": John Buford at Gettysburg. A History and Walking Tour

by Eric J. Wittenberg

Overview

Finalist, 2014, Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Book Award
Winner, 2014, Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Book Award

Although many books on Gettysburg have addressed the role played by Brig. Gen. John Buford and his First Cavalry Division troops, there is not a single book-length study devoted entirely to the critical delaying actions waged by Buford and his dismounted troopers and his horse artillerists on the morning of July 1, 1863. Award-winning Civil War historian Eric J. Wittenberg rectifies this glaring oversight with “The Devil’s to Pay”: John Buford at Gettysburg. A History and Walking Tour.

This comprehensive tactical study examines the role Buford and his horse soldiers played from June 29 through July 2, 1863, including the important actions that saved the shattered remnants of the First and Eleventh Corps. Wittenberg relies upon scores of rare primary sources, including many that have never before been used, to paint a detailed picture of the critical role the quiet and modest cavalryman known to his men as “Honest John” or “Old Steadfast” played at Gettysburg.

“The Devil’s to Pay” also includes a detailed walking and driving tour of pertinent sites, complete with GPS coordinates. Three appendices address the nature of Buford’s defense at Gettysburg, whether his troopers were armed with repeating weapons, and whether a feint by his men late in the day caused the Confederate infantry to form “squares” (a Napoleonic defensive tactic). Finally, 17 maps by Gettysburg cartographer Phil Laino, together with more than 80 images, several published for the first time, round out this study. “The Devil’s to Pay” is a must-have for Gettysburg enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611214444
Publisher:	Savas Beatie
Publication date:	07/06/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Eric J. Wittenberg is an accomplished historian and author. The Ohio attorney has written nearly two dozen books on various Civil War subjects, with a particular focus on cavalry operations. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious 1998 Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award. Eric lives in Columbus with his wife Susan and their beloved dogs.

Table of Contents

Author's Preface and Acknowledgments ix

Foreword xii

Chapter 1 John Buford and his Troopers 1

Chapter 2 Marching to Pennsylvania 26

Chapter 3 June 30, 1863 42

Chapter 4 The Night Before the Battle: June 30-July 1, 1863 62

Chapter 5 Opening the Ball: Early Morning, July 1, 1863 74

Chapter 6 The Devil's to Pay: Buford Holds On 103

Chapter 7 Gamble Saves the First Corps 132

Chapter 8 Unshaken and Undaunted 148

Chapter 9 The Night of July 1-2, 1863 157

Chapter 10 Devin's Brigade Skirmishes in Pitzer's Woods 163

Chapter 11 Buford Departs the Battlefield 172

Conclusion: An Assessment of John Buford's Performance in the Battle of Gettysburg 181

Epilogue 197

Appendix A Order of Battle, Morning, July 1, 1863 205

Appendix B The Myth of the Spencers 208

Appendix C What was the Nature of John Buford's Defense at Gettysburg? 213

Appendix D Did James Lane's Confederate Brigade form Infantry Squares in Echelon on the Afternoon of July 1, 1863? 218

A Walking and Driving Tour 225

Bibliography 247

Index 263

Editorial Reviews

…an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library collections and supplemental studies lists.

Midwest Book Review

No figure is more central to the Battle of Gettysburg than Union cavalryman John Buford. More than any other commander’s decision, Buford’s determination to stand and fight on July 1 precipitated all the combat that followed. Award-winning author Eric Wittenberg, noted for his excellent work on cavalry in general and Gettysburg in particular, offers a detailed examination of Buford’s role in clear, well-ordered prose. ‘The Devil’s to Pay’ is another must-have book on any Gettysburg shelf.

David A. Powell

As the author of 17 previous books on Civil War cavalry operations, Eric Wittenberg’s name is well known to students of the Gettysburg Campaign. In ‘The Devil’s to Pay’: John Buford at Gettysburg, Wittenberg tackles one of Gettysburg’s most iconic and revered leaders. Wittenberg’s narrative encompasses every aspect of Buford’s Gettysburg performance and readers will leave with a much better appreciation of John Buford and the cavalrymen who served under him.

James A. Hessler

Few books on Gettysburg spill much ink on the role played by General John Buford and his troopers during the opening hours of the battle, and even less regarding their participation during the rest of the first day or thereafter. Wittenberg’s new master work details, for the first time, Buford’s crucial roll and how he and his cavalrymen impacted the course of the battle. It is a scholarly, yet eminently readable book that is decades overdue.

J. David Petruzzi

"Most people were introduced to John Buford through Sam Elliott’s riveting portrayal of him in the film Gettysburg. Now, through the talented hand of Eric Wittenberg in his new exemplary book, a new generation of readers will meet the real Buford as history knew him—a brilliant cavalry tactician and inspirational leader whose star reached its zenith at Gettysburg before an untimely illness struck him down just as opportunity for advancement to senior command beckoned. This wonderfully written and deeply researched study stands as a tribute even a gruff Old Army veteran like Buford would have admired.”"

Scott L. Mingus

No figure is more central to the Battle of Gettysburg than Union cavalryman John Buford. More than any other commander’s decision, Buford’s determination to stand and fight on July 1 precipitated all the combat that followed. Award-winning author Eric Wittenberg, noted for his excellent work on cavalry in general and Gettysburg in particular, offers a detailed examination of Buford’s role in clear, well-ordered prose. ‘The Devil’s to Pay’ is another must-have book on any Gettysburg shelf.

author of The Maps of Chickamauga and The Chickama David A. Powell

As the author of 17 previous books on Civil War cavalry operations, Eric Wittenberg’s name is well known to students of the Gettysburg Campaign. In ‘The Devil’s to Pay’: John Buford at Gettysburg, Wittenberg tackles one of Gettysburg’s most iconic and revered leaders. Wittenberg’s narrative encompasses every aspect of Buford’s Gettysburg performance and readers will leave with a much better appreciation of John Buford and the cavalrymen who served under him.

author of Sickles at Gettysburg (2009) and co-auth James A. Hessler

Few books on Gettysburg spill much ink on the role played by General John Buford and his troopers during the opening hours of the battle, and even less regarding their participation during the rest of the first day or thereafter. Wittenberg’s new master work details, for the first time, Buford’s crucial roll and how he and his cavalrymen impacted the course of the battle. It is a scholarly, yet eminently readable book that is decades overdue.

author of The Complete Gettysburg Guide J. David Petruzzi