Eric Wittenberg – the passing of a giant
Fox Run Publishing joins the military history world in mourning the passing of one of the giants of the craft, Eric J. Wittenberg, who lost his battle with illness over the weekend. Known as the “Dean of Civil War Cavalry historians,” Eric’s prolific body of work also showcased his deep knowledge of sports and the legal profession, as well as the great American tragedy of the nineteenth century. Eric was instrumental in helping found Fox Run Publishing and was among its earliest contributors. He broke new ground with his important treatment of the Johnston surrender in Durham, North Carolina in We Ride a Whirlwind: Sherman and Johnston at Bennett Place. He followed this up with Five or Ten Minutes of Blind Confusion: The Battle of Aiken, South Carolina, February 11, 1865, and Six Days of Awful Fighting: Cavalry Operations on the Road to Cold Harbor.
Eric was a towering figure who made each reader and fan feel like an integral part of the story. A Wittenberg battlefield tour was a true educational experience. Eric brought the experience to life, just as he did in written narrative.
When I made the decision to establish this imprint over ten years ago, Eric was the first person I reached out to for advice, and he never let me down. His industry knowledge and connections helped mold Fox Run Publishing and guide its growth. Personally, he helped me grow and learn as a writer, historian, and scholar. I will value that guidance always. Just prior to the pandemic, Eric and Susan were vacationing at the North Carolina coast, about three hours from my home at the time, so Melissa and I were able to drive out for an oceanfront supper with them. That was a wonderful evening that I will always treasure. The world went crazy soon afterward, and we did not have the opportunity to get together after that. We spoke frequently during those days, until he became too ill and I will always carry the memories of those conversations.
So long old friend. Thank you for all the great research and excellent narrative presentation. Godspeed!
J. Keith Jones, Winston-Salem, NC, August 4, 2025