Robert J. Wynstra Wins the 2011 Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award for The Rashness of That Hour

PRESS RELEASE: The Rashness of That Hour by author Robert J. Wynstra was selected as the 2011 winner of the Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award for the most original outstanding work on the Gettysburg Campaign.

The Rashness of That Hour: Politics, Gettysburg, and the Downfall of Confederate Brigadier General
Alfred Iverson
By Robert J. Wynstra (Savas Beatie, 2010)


The Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award is presented annually by the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table of Central New Jersey to the most original outstanding work on the Gettysburg Campaign.

"Robert Wynstra's seminal The Rashness of That Hour is well deserving of this prestigious award, and we are pleased that his efforts are being recognized by the historical community," explained Managing Director Theodore P. Savas, "We are looking forward to publishing Robert's future books."

The Rashness of That Hour is a deeply-researched brigade and battle history about the defeat of Iverson's brigade at Gettysburg on Day 1, one of the most popular topics Gettysburg students and readers discuss.

Drawing on a wealth of newly discovered and previously unpublished sources, the book explores the story behind one of the Civil War’s most notorious blunders. An in-depth analysis of the events at Gettysburg is balanced with an insider’s examination of a brigade that was in turmoil long before its final rendezvous with its July 1, 1863 destiny.

"I am pleased and gratified to receive such a prestigious award. I would like to thank the award committee and the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table for selecting my book. Best of all is the confirmation that others find the story behind the demise of Alfred Iverson just as fascinating and informative as I do,” said Robert J. Wynstra.

Organized in 1990, the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table is dedicated to the study, preservation, and discussion of the events and people that were part of this period in our nation's history. As the largest Round Table in New Jersey, the 200 members are presented with interesting and informative presentations and tours of the sites at which the war's events took place.

The Rashness of That Hour also recently won the 2010 Dr. James I. Robertson Literary Prize for Confederate History.


About Author Robert J. Wynstra

Robert J. Wynstra recently retired as a senior writer for the News and Public Affairs Office in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and a master’s degree in journalism, all from the University of Illinois.

Rob has been researching Alfred Iverson’s role in the Civil War for more than ten years. He is finishing work on a study of Robert Rodes’ Division in the Gettysburg Campaign.


The Rashness of That Hour: Politics, Gettysburg, and the Downfall of Confederate Brigadier General Alfred Iverson

By Robert J. Wynstra

List $32.95
ISBN: 978-1-932714-88-3
Published September 2010 by Savas Beatie LLC

Available at bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information, visit Savas Beatie or the The Rashness of That Hour page.