The Richmond campaign of April-July 1862 ranks as one of the most important military operations of the first years of the American Civil War. Key political; diplomatic; social; and military issues were at stake as Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan faced off on the peninsula between the York and James Rivers. The climactic clash came on June 26-July 1 in what became known as the Seven Days battles; when Lee; newly appointed as commander of the Confederate forces; aggressively attacked the Union army. Casualties for the entire campaign exceeded 50;000; more than 35;000 of whom fell during the Seven Days. This book offers nine essays in which well-known Civil War historians explore questions regarding high command; strategy and tactics; the effects of the fighting upon politics and society both North and South; and the ways in which emancipation figured in the campaign. The authors have consulted previously untapped manuscript sources and reinterpreted more familiar evidence; sometimes focusing closely on the fighting around Richmond and sometimes looking more broadly at the background and consequences of the campaign.Contributors:William A. BlairKeith S. BohannonPeter S. CarmichaelGary W. GallagherJohn T. HubbellR. E. L. KrickRobert K. KrickJames MartenWilliam J. Miller
#16785 in Books 2017-09-06 2017-09-06Original language:English 9.08 x 1.34 x 6.11l; #File Name: 0807167479472 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Bill TRhea is excellent writer. Detailed and readable.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Long Awaited Study of the Culmination of the Overland Campaign of May-June 1864By Herbert M. SchillerThis is the fifth; and final; book in the series chronicling the Union army's five week Overland Campaign. Readers of the earlier volumes know the thorough research of the author. This book is no exception. The author captures the importance of field works and how miserable it was to endure in them day after day. Although I have more interest in the Army of the Potomac than their adversaries; he provides a balanced; yet analytical; discussion of events on both sides. I especially enjoyed the discussion of June 15th assault on the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. I'd had the privilege of being with Will Greene and Jimmy Blankenship as Will prepared for one of his spring tours dealing with the June 15th assault on Petersburg; and then going along on the tour shortly thereafter. The Civil War Fortification Study Group also spent two days walking the terrain of the entire June 15-18 effort. It is obvious that Gordon Rhea has also walked all of the terrain covered in the book; one can tell when an author hasn't. I was surprised to learn how badly General Grant seems to have "dropped the ball" on ordering coordination of the assault on Petersburg. Grant to me is an interesting person; and his career is fascinating; both during the war and afterwards. Grant; like all the other major participants on both sides; was complicated; multidimensional; and very ambitious. Grant; as did Lee; made his share of mistakes. But overall he seems to have learned from them and I believe he did an overall excellent job throughout his career. Finally; the maps were well done; clear; and appeared at just the right place. This book; like its predecessors; is excellent and is an invaluable addition; along with its earlier companion volumes; to the library of any one with a serious interest in the Army of the Potomac and/or the Army of Northern Virginia.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great book; great maps; and a brilliant description of the end of the Overland CampaignBy Mark KingseedThis is an excellent book and a fitting end to the five volume series the author wrote on the Overland Campaign. I was especially impressed with the high quality maps and the evocative description of the miserable day to day existence in the trenches on the Cold Harbor front after the June 3 general assault.The strategic logic and impact of Grant's move to the James River is explained in great detail and reinforces my belief that Grant was an extraordinarily capable general. The tactical implementation of Grant's strategy is told in a clear to understand fashion. The reasons for the failure of Grant's overall strategy to capture Petersburg in June 1863 are clearly explained. The author's extensive research and narrative skill help one understand the complexity of military operations and how even the most brilliant plan can fall short given human failings; hard fighting by the enemy; the "fog of war" and the difficulty in coordinating separate military commands.This is a great book which should be read by anyone who wants to understand what happened at Petersburg in June 1864.
