Chapter Abstracts

Chapter abstracts are short descriptions of events that occur in each chapter. They highlight major plot events and detail the important relationships and characteristics of characters and objects. Monday, June 29, 1863, Chapter 1, The Spy Abstract * A spy brings news of the Union army's movements to Longstreet, a Confederate general. The Union is moving closer to Confederate lines and will be converging on Gettysburg. * Longstreet and his aide doubt the spy's story because Stuart has not sent similar news and it is his job to report on the Union's movements. * The spy also tells Longstreet that General Meade is now commander of the Union army. Monday, June 29, 1863, Chapter 2, Chamberlain Abstract * Longstreet brings the spy to Lee who is also doubtful of his story. * Longstreet convinces Lee that Stuart may not be fulfilling his duties. * Lee decides they should begin to march toward Gettysburg. Monday, June 29, 1863, Chapter 3, Buford Abstract * Chamberlain, a colonel in the Union army, has been sent 120 fellow Maine men who have mutinied. * He has been told to shoot them if they refuse to fight. Instead, he gives a stirring speech that convinces all but six to join the ranks. * Chamberlain's aide, Kilrain, is introduced as a weathered veteran upon whom Chamberlain depends. * Chamberlain's younger brother, Tom, is also under his command. Monday, June 29, 1863, Chapter 4, Longstreet Abstract * Chamberlain and his men are called to advance toward Gettysburg. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 1 Lee, Abstract * Buford inspects the ground around Gettysburg and finds the best place for the Union to make a stand. * Buford is concerned that he does not have enough men to hold off an attac, and his requests for assistance in the past have gone unanswered. * Buford realizes that Lee's entire army is headed his way and he does not want a repeat of Thorofare Gap where his 3,000 men had to hold off Longstreet's 25,000 men for six hours. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 2, Buford Abstract * Buford's messages to Reynolds asking for assistance are answered. Reynolds will be on his way with his men first thing in the morning. * Buford will have to hold off the Rebels until Reynolds arrives.

Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 3, Lee Abstract * Fremantle, an Englishman, is a guest of the Confederate army and will report back to the Queen on the army's progress. * There is still no word from Stuart and Gen. Hill does not believe a report that Union cavalry are in Gettysburg. * Garnett, Pickett and Armistead are introduced. Garnett has his honor to defend, Pickett is eager for battle and Armistead is a veteran soldier. * Armistead is hoping to meet up with an old friend, Winfield Hancock, who is a Union general. * Armistead and Longstreet discuss Lee's strategy. Longstreet hopes Lee will take the defensive but Armistead doubts Lee will. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 4, Chamberlain Abstract * The spy confirms that Union cavalry are in Gettysburg. * A rain begins to fall as the first shots ring out. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 5, Longstreet Abstract * Lee suffers from heart disease but does not think it will interfere this day. * Lee still believes Stuart has not reported because there is nothing to report. * Lee does not want anyone engaging in battle until the whole army is concentrated. * Lee makes sure his men are treating the civilians fairly. * Lee feels some guilt invading land he had once sworn to defend. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 6, Lee Abstract * Lee expresses how important Longstreet is as a commander and wants to make sure he is able to lead if something happens to Lee. * Longstreet wants Lee to court martial Stuart when he returns but Lee thinks that is too extreme. * Lee still believes the spy's report is wrong but rides ahead to inspect when gunfire is heard. Wednesday, July 1, 1863, The First Day, Chapter 7, Buford Abstract * The Confederates begin to attack but with little force at first. * Buford learns that reinforcements are on the way, however, and again sends to Reynolds for assistance. * Burford's men are starting to be hit hard and Buford is just contemplating pulling out when Reynolds * Reynolds compliments Buford on his work in finding the position and holding it. Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 1, Fremantle Abstract * Moments later, Reynolds is killed. * The Union lines continue to hold without a commander.

Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 2, Chamberlain Abstract * Lee does not like the situation he finds in Cashtown because the men are too compacted. * Hill informs Lee that Heth is ahead but has orders not to force a major batttle. * Lee sends for Longstreet and Ewell. * Heth tells Lee that he thought he was fighting militia, only to find out it is cavalry. Then infantry joins the fight. * Rodes has arrived and engages the Union's right flank and Early is behind him. Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 3, Longstreet Abstract * When Lee hears the Reynolds is dead and Early has arrived, he gives permission to Pender and Heth to attack. * Union soldiers fall back to a high hill where they dig in. Lee sees this as a victory. * Ewell is told to take the hill but does not do so. * Lee and Longstreet disagree about strategy with Longstreet advocating for a defensive position on another hill and Lee committed to an offensive attack. Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 4, Chamberlain Abstract * Chamberlain and his men ride toward Gettysburg, finding the civilians more friendly the closer they get. * Tom explains to one of the mutineers about Dan Butterfield and the bugle calls he writes, including one just for Maine units and his lullaby which will later be known as "Taps." * Chamberlain is concerned for his brother's safety but Tom is eager for battle after their regiment had missed out on Chancellorsville. * Word reaches them that the battle is underway, which is true, and that McClellan is back in command of the Union army, which is not true. Both pieces of news excite the men. Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 5, Longstreet Abstract * Longstreet is discouraged that Lee is unwavering about taking the offensive. * Longstreet and Fremantle discuss the battle and strategies. * Fremantle expresses his admiration for Lee. * Longstreet advocates once more for a defensive position from trenches but Fremantle agrees with the Southern idea of gentlemanly fighting and meeting your opponent face to face. He is more concerned with dignity than with winning and thinks Longstreet's strategy is a form of cowardice. Thursday, July 2, 1863, The Second Day, Chapter 6, Lee Abstract * Lee finds out from Early that Ewell does not attack the hill because he feels it is not practical. * Ewell and Early disagree with Longstreet's idea of moving toward Washington to force the Union to attack them. Early recommends an attack on the right by Longstreet. * Trimble tells Lee that the hill could have been taken but Ewell defers to Early who decides against an attempt. * Later that evening, Ewell apologizes for not taking the hill and believes it can be taken the next day with help from Johnson. * Once alone, Lee thinks about his injured son and the upcoming battle.

Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 1, Chamberlain Abstract * Buford, looking for orders at headquarters, learns that there's a dispute raging about whether Howard or Hancock is in charge. * Howard is blaming Buford for Howard's break on the right. * Hancock talks to Buford about his division's involvement, and tells him to ready his troops for battle in the morning. * Meade arrives. Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 2, Longstreet Abstract * Fremantle observes the generals discussing strategy and listens with interest. * Lee has sent scouts looking for Stuart. * Hood and Longstreet disagree with Lee's strategy but Longstreet does not believe they can change Lee's mind. * Longstreet does not believe Meade will attack. * Fremantle feels a kinship between the Southerners and the English and hopes the South comes under English rule once more. Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 3, Chamberlain Abstract * Chamberlain's men find an escaped slave, a foreigner who speaks no English and is shot by a white woman when he tries to get directions. * Chamberlain is shocked to find himself repulsed by the man and remembers a heated conversation he had with a Baptist minister and a University of Virginia professor regarding slavery. * Kilrain reassures Chamberlain that the war they are fighting is just which allays some of Chamberlain's doubts. * Chamberlain does not think there will be friendship between North and South if the South wins. Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 4, Armistead Abstract * Lee and Longstreet discuss strategy, with Longstreet once again stating his doubts and Lee refusing to change his mind. * Hood asks to be allowed to go around to the right but Lee does not want to split the focus of the attack. * Longstreet is forced to counter march as the planned route will leave them visible to the enemy. Longstreet is again disgusted at Stuart whom he blames for this. * Union troops are not where the Confederacy expected them to be, and again Hood asks to go to the right where there is an opening. Longstreet knows Lee would not approve and so does not allow Hood to do so. Casualties are extremely heavy.

Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 5, Longstreet Abstract * Chamberlain and his men form the left end of the Union line on Little Round Top and Vincent tells Chamberlain that he is not to withdraw his troops under any circumstances or the Union line will fall. * The Confederates attack, Kilrain is wounded, no support can come from other regiments, and Chamberlain has to use Tom to fill a gap. Vincent is reported killed. * Chamberlain's men run out of ammunition so he has them fix bayonets and charge. The Rebels turn and run. * The Confederates surrender and his men have taken 500 prisoners. Chamberlain and his men are sent to Big Round Top. Friday, July 3, 1863, Chapter 6, Chamberlain Abstract * Hood, badly wounded in the arm, tells Longstreet that they should have gone to the right. The battle is devastating to Confederate troops. * Hood's men blame Longstreet, not Lee. Lee believes they are victorious but Longstreet disagrees. * Stuart and Pickett have arrived. Lee refuses to court martial Stuart. * Longstreet and Fremantle discuss the battle and Lee's tactics. Longstreet can no longer contain himself and blurts out his opinion of Lee's tactics. * Armistead joins Longstreet and is reminded of home and his friend, Hancock, when the soldiers sing an old Irish ballad.