by John M. Archer (Author)
The odd grassy mound between the long ridges south of Gettysburg might arouse the curiosity of a visitor, but the site of the Bliss Farm lies hundreds of yards from modern tour routs. Certainly, more infamous sites on the battlefield vie for one's attention, and the struggle fro this once prosperous homestead is easily overlooked. Yet, on July 2 & 3, 1863, the incongruously named farm was a no-man's land that changed hands some ten times - possibly more than any other ground at Gettysburg. The reader is invited to tour this seldom explored area of the battlefield using maps, photos, and first-hand accounts to discover how that struggle impacted Lee's plan for victory, the lives of those who fought there, and the Bliss family.
Author Biography
Although New York born and bred, John Archer's fascination with the Civil War stems from a childhood discovery of Confederate ancestors in his family tree. He now lives in Gettysburg, where in addition to writing, he is employed as a Licensed Guide for Gettysburg National Military Park and at Gettysburg College. Several of his interpretive tours and talks have been featured in PCN TV's "Gettysburg Battlewalks" Series. The author's written works include, "The Hour Was One of Horror: East Cemetery Hill", "Culp's Hill at Gettysburg," "Fury on the Bliss Farm", as well as articles in "Blue and Gray," "Gettysburg Magazine," and other periodicals. His first work of historical fiction, "After the Rain: A Novel of War and Coming Home", was released in 2011, and received Director's Mention for the Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction.