General John Buford: A Military Biography

I love the movie Gettysburg and Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels. It is their thesis that Buford's early arrival on the field, his quick assessment of the topography and his ability to engage and slow the Confederate arrival, set the stage for the Federal victory. So I was very curious to learn more about Buford and this well researched biography does him justice. It also answers the question "why did Lee get away?" Buford was at the van of that pursuit and it wasn't for lack of trying either. Buford died of pneumonia 6 months after Gettysburg. This book reveals just how exhausting this Western Cavalryman's last 4 years had been as he lived in the saddle and slept on open ground every night only to wake up, ride hard, fight deadly engagements and repeat it all for weeks, months and years. Buford was exhausted.

I had to read this after I finished reading "Killer Angels" that wonderful historical novel about the battle of Gettysburg. And then too, having begun to study the brave 7th Cavalry officer, Myles Keogh, I wanted to learn more, and this book gave me a very fine picture of a very great general, and a good man too. Excellent biography.

Mr. Longacre did a great job with what little first source material availiable. General John Buford caught my attention while reading The Killer Angels (Shaara). General Bufords short biography by Longacre tells his story prior to and after the battle at Gettysburg. General Buford could have become one of the great generals of the Civil War, if his life had not been cut short. The book is an easy read. If you have much interest in the the Gettysburg Battle and the people involved you should enjoy it.

Excellent research; well written. I hated to see it end! This book is most informative on a lesser known General of the civil war. It was good to see such an honorable man receive his due. I have always wondered about Buford and his unit. I read this book in one sitting. Great for both student and pleasure reader alike.

In a period with so many personalities around whom legends have grown, it's refreshing to see a lesser-known but hardly unimportant character from the Civil War given respectable attention. Buford found some prominence as a personality at Gettysburg, but his career has been given scant attention over the years. Longacre's account is relatively short and to the point, with most detail being rightfully reserved for the events at Gettysburg. Buford's ability was certainly validated years after his death, as his methods of combat became a model for future leaders. The book succeeded in giving me--a good ole southern boy--a whole new respect for one of the Union's most effective fighters.