The 21st North Carolina Infantry: A Civil War History, with a Roster of Officers by Lee W. Sherrill (review)

Abstract

For the past 153 years, printed Gettysburg battlefi eld guides have been in abundance. Although the history of this epic battle has gripped the American imagination, misinformation and apocryphal stories predominate. In Don’t Give an Inch, the authors aim to challenge some of these old myths while providing a current, accurate, and easily accessible guide to the second day, focusing exclusively on the southern section of the battlefi eld. In these goals, they have succeeded. Mackowski, White, and Davis pick up where they left off with their previous book (Fight Like the Devil: Th e First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863). Th ey begin with a summary of the campaign, discussing the fi ghting on July 1 and the Confederate plan for July 2. Th e authors commence their narrative of the second day by analyzing the earlymorning argument between Lee and Longstreet. Th roughout the book, they emphasize contingency, helping readers understand the reasoning behind the generals’ major combat decisions. Additionally, the authors highlight the personalities of various soldiers, blue and gray, making this more than just a “topdown” tactical study. Generally, Don’t Give an Inch follows the National Park Service route through the southern sector of the battlefi eld, but it also provides additional Lee W. Sherrill, Jr, Th e 21st North Carolina Infantry: A Civil War History, with a Roster of Offi cers (Jeff erson City, NC: McFarland Publishers, 2015). 525 pp. Paper, $45.00. ISBN 978– 07864– 7626– 8.