The Battle of Five Forks; explained former Confederate General Thomas Munford long after the Civil War; “could be classified as a mere skirmish; but no other fight of the entire four years’ struggle was followed by such important consequences.†The battle broke the long siege of Petersburg; triggered the evacuation of Richmond; precipitated the Appomattox Campaign; and destroyed the careers and reputations of two opposing generals. Michael J. McCarthy’s Confederate Waterloo is the first fully researched and unbiased book-length account of this decisive Union victory and the unpredictable aftermath fought in the courts and at the bar of public opinion.General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia had been locked into the sprawling defenses surrounding the logistical stronghold of Petersburg and the Southern capital at Richmond for more than eight months when General Grant launched an offensive against Lee’s exposed right flank. A series of battles led up to April 1; when General Phil Sheridan’s forces struck at Five Forks. The attack surprised and collapsed General George Pickett’s Confederate command and turned Lee’s flank. An attack along the entire front the following morning broke the siege and forced the Virginia army out of its defenses and; a week later; into Wilmer McLean’s parlor to surrender at Appomattox. Despite this decisive Union success; Five Forks spawned one of the most bitter and divisive controversies in the postwar US Army because Sheridan relieved V Corps commander Gouverneur K. Warren during the battle. The order generated a life-long effort by Warren and his allies to restore his reputation by demonstrating that Sheridan’s action was both unfair and dishonorable. The struggle climaxed with a Court of Inquiry that generated a more extensive record of testimony and exhibits than any other US military judicial case in the 19th Century. In addition to Sheridan and Warren; participants included Gens. Ulysses S. Grant and Winfield S. Hancock; together with a startling array of former Union and Confederate officers.McCarthy’s Confederate Waterloo is grounded upon extensive archival research and a foundation of primary sources; including the meticulous records of a man driven to restore his honor in the eyes of his colleagues; his family; and the American public. The result is a fresh and dispassionate analysis that may cause students of the Civil War to reassess their views about some of the Union’s leading generals.
#636649 in Books imusti 2016-10-11 2016-10-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.50 x 5.50l; 1.65 #File Name: 1610397185512 pagesPublicAffairs
Review
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. How the Russians defeated Germany at Stalingrad: a Narrative Account of the WarBy Patricia M. ConroyThis book is a well-written; extremely well-documented story of the battle of Stalingrad during WWII. It was particularly meaningful to read what individual Soviet soldiers and their leaders had to say about this battle; for it is through their eyes that the account is written. I found it extremely interesting and surprising (to me) to learn about the lengths the Soviet regime; under Stalin; took to keep high the morale of the soldiers and their leaders. What was fascinating was how Stalin made is easier for the average soldier to become a member of the Communist party during wartime. This encouraged the average soldier to fight harder; to not give up under any circumstances and to gain recognition for his contribution to his country. Stalin visited his troops; as did other Communist leaders. The role of propaganda in planning strategy was extremely important; and the author goes into this is some detail. I gained better understanding of the Soviets' contribution to the war from reading this book. I can now see justification for many historians saying that; were it not for Russia; we might not have won the war; or; if so; we would have had many; many; many more casualties.This is a book well worth reading. I just wish; perhaps; that the book had included more about the strategies used in this battle; and how the citizens of Stalingrad fared under such a brutal attack. I would read it again.11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. STALINGRAD THROUGH RUSSIAN EYESBy R. A. PetroTaken from Russian Archives of interviews with everyone from medics; soldiers; generals; nurses and civilians; the Russian "on the ground" view has never been more well illustrated. The tales alone; whether full of veracity or; in the Commissar's comments; full of propaganda; are worth the entry price. A welcome addition that doesn't just explore the "strategic" side of the Battle of Stalingrad but the stories of the people who made that strategy happen.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I liked it. Excellent researchBy CustomerI liked it. Excellent research ; I would recomend it but i have read as many as possible accounts from soviet union as possible to obtain.
