"Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten": Michigan Cavalry in the Civil War: The Gettysburg Campaign | 
| Author: Richard Hamilton
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Category: Book
Buy New: $20.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 260690
Media: Paperback
Pages: 390
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 1419689185
Dewey Decimal Number: 973
EAN: 9781419689185
ASIN: 1419689185
Publication Date: April 21, 2008
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The story of "Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten" begins in the summer of 1862 in Kent County, Michigan, and it ends with the close of the Gettysburg Campaign in mid July 1863. It is the story George Thomas Patten, a young husband and father who wrests with his conscious over what could, and will be his part in defense of the Union in the Civil War. Over the objections of his father, who has grown weary of burying many young West Michigan men under the sod in local cemeteries, and who fears for the life of his only son, George Thomas Patten enlists in the 6th Michigan Cavalry Regiment. The regiment is mustered into the United States Cavalry, and departs Grand Rapids, Michigan on a cold blustery winter day for Washington City on December 10, 1862. In April 1863 Sgt. Patten, while posted on the defense perimeter of the Capitol, learns of the death of his wife, leaving behind a young son. His regiment is dispatched to the Gettysburg Campaign, under the command of Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. The campaign culminates at the Battle of Falling Waters, where Sgt. George Thomas Patten pays the ultimate price of liberty.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Oh, Why Did I Bother? July 2, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
Now that the author's friends and relatives have had their say, perhaps a more objective appraisal is in order.
The book is readable enough, yes. But a serious historical work it isn't. Has the author never encountered the idea of citing primary sources, or for that matter citing anything? A university professor would not accept this sort of "scholarship" from a freshman. There's nothing whatever new here, and what might have been a useful addition to the subjects of the Gettysburg Campaign and the Federal cavalry simply isn't.
On top of which, the maps are really, really dreadful -- confused and hard on the eye -- and the quality of illustrations not much better.
On the whole, this is a rather amateur work.
 Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten June 14, 2008
This is a very personal look back at the author's great great grandfather, George Patten, who at age 28 in the summer of 1862 joins a calvary unit from his home state of Michigan to do his part in the American Civil War. He leaves behind his parents, a beloved wife and a young child to fight for a cause in which he deeply believes.
Through the eyes of Quartermaster Sergeant Patten we follow his journey from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his company is trained to the long train journey to Washington City where he sees action in the battle of Gettysburg and a few days later in the battle of Falling Waters in West Virginia. His company, decimated by the Gettysburg battle, is ordered to charge a rebel position defended by hundreds of soldiers. Great great grandfather Patten writes a touching letter home before the battle and as he feared he is killed in a hopeless charge.
Author Richard Hamilton uses letters from Patten along with dozens of primary sources to flesh out the story of this union farmer in his last year of life. Through Patten we see the horror of our nation's most awful war and the effect it had on one man's family. The troop maneuvering of generals, the political machinations of politicians are all there but it is the foot soldiers, George Patten and his comrades in arms, who do the dying and suffering. Hamilton never loses track of this and "Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten" is never far from this truth of war.
 "Oh Hast Thou Forgotten" June 2, 2008
I hit the Trifecta. I have a history minor, I'm from Michigan and Richard Hamilton is a friend of mine. I am aware of the great amount of loving research that went into this book and it shows in the stunning details provided by Richard as he traces the steps taken by his great great grandfather, George Thomas Patten, as he joins the 6th Michigan Cavalry and ends up in the Gettysburg campaign. He eventually loses his life at the age of 28 in the battle of Falling Waters. I believe this book will be interesting reading on many levels whether you are a history buff or not.
Frank Valenti
Oh Thou Hast Forgotten May 30, 2008
A GREAT read!
VERY insightful!!!
And for once...a WONDERFUL account not only of the cavalry battle here in Hunterstown, July 2nd, 1863....but the entire Gettysburg Campaign.
I felt like I was "riding with the cavalry"!!!
I could "see and hear...and smell" the day!
A WONDERFUL account...that is MUCH needed....in the annals of history!
First rate!
Well done!
You are to be commended for this written documentation...
as are all the Wolverines that fought here!
[...]
"Oh, Hast Thou Forgotten" May 29, 2008
Richard L. Hamilton has written a description of the Battle of Gettysburg that is easy to follow and therefore easy to become involved with on a personal level. Telling the story from the point-of-view of a cavalry sargent gives the reader a new perspective of the rigors that these heros of our history had to contend with. If you want to learn about "Gettysburg", Mr. Hamilton has certainly given us an interesting story to lead us through the battle.
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