Our Campaign Around Gettysburg: Being a Memorial of What Was Endured, Suffered and Accomplished by the Twenty-Third Regiment (N. Y. S. N. G.) and Other Regiments Associated With Them, in Their Pennsylvania and Maryland Campaign, During the Second Rebel Invasion of the Loyal States in June-July, 1863

If any one, taking up this book casually, should wonder why it was written, it may suffice to observe that "Gettysburg" is probably destined to mark an Epoch of the Republic;—as being one of the very few decisive battles of the Great Rebellion. Accordingly, whosoever took any part in it may hope to share its immortality of glory. But, says one, the militia were not engaged in the battle. True; neither was the reserve of eleven thousand men, under General French, at Frederick and elsewhere. Yet who would withhold from these veterans the honor of having been participators in the great struggle? They had their part to play—not so direct, nor conspicuous, nor important a part as they played whose valor won the day, yet important withal. Enough for the militia, they offered their lives for the Fatherland, and stood instant, waiting only for orders to hurry into the front of battle.