Gettysburg Defining Hours of the Civil War

Donald W. McLaughlin did not fight in the Battle of Gettysburg, but he spent many years guiding others around these battlefields. It gave him an understanding of the Battlefield and the human dimensions and tragedies of that battle possessed by few other people. Don knew that the many magnificent monuments and memorials in the killing fields of Gettysburg overwhelm the casual visitor and confuse even the serious student. He also understood that the statues and markers themselves may not reveal completely the thoughts and ideas of those who fought here, survived and what they wanted remembered. Such understanding is hard to come by, and for this reason once gathered must be shared, so that others may avoid the mistakes which brought strangers to this beautiful place for the purpose of killing one another. By allowing his personal notes and meticulous research about the monuments and memorials of Gettysburg to be assembled and published, Don McLaughlin has done all of us a tremendous service. - Col. John C. Slaughter, Medical Corps United States Army (retired)

Don’s book is an invaluable resource in locating the numerous monuments that exist on the Gettysburg Battlefield. It’s the easiest guide to use, as it has a great index and the numerous maps he drew are excellent. Even more impressive to me, is the fact that the book contains an accurate inscription of every monument on the field! - Eric A. Campbell Park Ranger Gettysburg National Military Park