Edward G. Longacre

Edward G. Longacre is an American military historian specializing in the American Civil War, with particular focus on cavalry operations and military leadership. His extensive body of work includes more than 25 books examining various aspects of Civil War military history and biographies of prominent military figures. Longacre has gained recognition for his detailed biographies of Union cavalry commanders, including John Buford, Ulysses S. Grant, and Joshua Chamberlain. His research has contributed significantly to the understanding of mounted operations during the Civil War, earning him the Fletcher Pratt Award for Civil War writing. Throughout his career, Longacre has served as a historian for the U.S. Department of Defense and has taught at several universities. His work "The Cavalry at Gettysburg" is considered a definitive examination of mounted operations during the pivotal battle. His writing style combines thorough research with narrative detail, drawing from primary sources including letters, diaries, and official military documents. Longacre continues to contribute to Civil War scholarship through new publications and speaking engagements at historical societies and academic institutions.

Readers appreciate Longacre's thorough research and attention to detail in Civil War military history. His work on cavalry commanders like John Buford and Henry Hunt receives consistent praise for bringing attention to lesser-known figures. Readers value: - Extensive use of primary sources and letters - Clear battle descriptions - Coverage of overlooked military leaders Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry and academic - Too much focus on tactical details - Some books feel padded with unnecessary information A reader on Amazon noted his book on General Hunt "fills an important gap in Civil War scholarship but gets bogged down in minutiae." Another called his work on Buford "well-researched but tough to get through." Average ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (across all books) Amazon: 4.2/5 (across all books) Most reviewed title: The Cavalry at Gettysburg (4.3/5 on Amazon, 184 reviews)

Army of Amateurs: General Benjamin F. Butler and the Army of the James, 1863-1865 A military history examining Butler's leadership of Union forces along the James River during the Civil War.

The Cavalry at Gettysburg Analysis of mounted operations during the Gettysburg Campaign, covering both Union and Confederate cavalry actions.

Grant's Cavalryman: The Life and Wars of General James H. Wilson Biography of Union cavalry commander James Harrison Wilson, focusing on his Civil War service and subsequent military career.

General John Buford: A Military Biography Detailed account of Union cavalry general John Buford's military service, with emphasis on his role at Gettysburg.

The Man Behind the Guns: A Military Biography of General Henry J. Hunt Biography examining the career of Henry Hunt, the Union's chief of artillery during the Civil War.

From Union Stars to Top Hat: A Biography of the Extraordinary General James Harrison Wilson Comprehensive biography covering Wilson's military service and his post-war business career.

Joshua Chamberlain: The Soldier and the Man Biography of the Union officer known for his defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, including both his military and civilian life.

Lincoln's Cavalrymen: A History of the Mounted Forces of the Army of the Potomac Study of the Union cavalry's organization, leadership, and operations in the Eastern Theater.

Lee's Cavalrymen: A History of the Mounted Forces of the Army of Northern Virginia Examination of Confederate cavalry operations under Robert E. Lee's command.

Mounted Raids of the Civil War Analysis of significant cavalry raids conducted by both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.