In a groundbreaking, comprehensive history of the Army of Northern
Virginia's retreat from Gettysburg in July 1863, Kent Masterson Brown
draws on previously untapped sources to chronicle the massive effort of
General Robert E. Lee and his command as they sought to move people,
equipment, and scavenged supplies through hostile territory and plan the
army's next moves. Brown reveals that even though the battle of
Gettysburg was a defeat for the Army of Northern Virginia, Lee's
successful retreat maintained the balance of power in the eastern
theater and left his army with enough forage, stores, and fresh meat to
ensure its continued existence as an effective force.