Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander

This Civil War biography chronicles the life of the brave Union artillery officer who refused to retreat from Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Lieutenant Alonzo Hereford Cushing may be the most famous lieutenant to be killed during the Civil War. Two years out of West Point, the young artillery officer commanded Battery A of the 4th US Artillery at Gettysburg. Despite severe wounds, Cushing defended his position at Cemetery Ridge against the fearsome Confederate infantry assault.

The story of Cushing’s heroic final moments were witnessed and recorded by a battlefield correspondent for The New York Times, who said “the gallantry of this officer is beyond praise.” In 2014, President Barak Obama awarded Cushing a posthumous Medal of Honor. In this biography, Kent Brown presents a lively narrative based on extensive research, including a cache of Cushing’s letters.

© 2014 The University Press of Kentucky (Ebook): 9780813146065

Release date

Ebook: 23 April 2014