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

Eric J. Wittenberg examines Brig. Gen. John Buford, commander of the Union army's First Cavalry Division, and his role in the Battle of Gettysburg. Buford, known to his troops as "Honest John" and "Old Steadfast," employed strategic maneuvers to counter Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate army and support the First and Eleventh Corps during the battle, which proved decisive in the Civil War. Wittenberg describes Buford's tactical decisions at the onset of the Gettysburg Campaign and portrays him as a cavalry officer who recognized an emerging threat and took action to prevent disaster. The book draws on primary sources and includes illustrations, maps, photographs, and a walking and driving tour of battlefield sites. This tactical study combines scholarly research with accessible presentation for readers interested in Civil War history.