No commander during the Civil War is more closely identified with the “cavalier mystique†as Major General J.E.B. (Jeb) Stuart. And none played a more prominent role during the brief period when the hopes of the nascent Confederacy were at their apex; when it appeared as though the Army of Northern Virginia could not be restrained from establishing Southern nationhood. Jeb Stuart was not only successful in leading Robert E. Lee’s cavalry in dozens of campaigns and raids; but for riding magnificent horses; dressing outlandishly; and participating in balls and parties that epitomized the “moonlight and magnolia†image of the Old South. Longstreet reported that at the height of the Battle of Second Manasses; Stuart rode off singing; “If you want to have good time; jine the cavalry . . .†Porter Alexander remembered him singing; in the midst of the miraculous victory at Chancellorsville; “Old Joe Hooker; won’t you come out of the Wilderness?†Stuart was blessed with an unusually positive personality―always upbeat; charming; boisterous; and humorous; remembered as the only man who could make Stonewall Jackson laugh; reciting poetry when not engaged in battle; and yet never using alcohol or other stimulants. Year of Glory focuses on the twelve months in which Stuart’s reputation was made; following his career on an almost day-to-day basis from June 1862; when Lee took command of the army; to June 1863; when Stuart turned north to regain a glory slightly tarnished at Brandy Station; but found Gettysburg instead. It is told through the eyes of the men who rode with him; as well as Jeb’s letters; reports; and anecdotes handed down over 150 years. It was a year like no other; filled with exhilaration at the imminent creation of a new country. This was a period when it could hardly be imagined that the cause; and Stuart himself; could dissolve into grief; Jeb ultimately separated from the people he cherished most.
#1497214 in Books 2015-07-19 2015-08-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .80 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 1611212146192 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent service. Thank youBy james r. leach;jr.Wondeful book. Excellent service. Thank you.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Opening shots to the longest siege in American historyBy Jonathan WellerThe First Battle for Petersburg: The Attack and Defense of the Cockade City; June 9; 1864; by William Glenn Robertson is a unique look at a relatively forgotten portion of the ten-month long siege of the city of Petersburg; Virginia. It is in this largely forgotten environment that Robertson’s book fits so well. The book showcases the initial attempt by the Federal Army of the James to take the city; and the defiant stance of “second-rate†militia troops trying desperately to stave off disaster.Robertson’s book is a unique look at the first attempt by the Federals to capture Petersburg in early June of 1864. It was during Ulysses S. Grant’s grand movement south to destroy all the inner workings of the Confederacy that the first battle of Petersburg was waged. What makes this work so unique is that there is no Grant; Lee; or battle-hardened legions waging a desperate struggle for survival in southern Virginia. Instead; the book centers around Union general Benjamin Butler—a political general who showed little competence in commanding troops in the field—and his Union Army of the James; squaring off against P.G.T. Beauregard and his rag-tag army of mostly militia and Richmond defenders.While this book does not include the usual characters that most Civil War buffs are accustomed to; Robertson paints a vivid picture of the dire circumstances that the Southern Confederacy faced in the spring of 1864. With Lee’s Army entangled with Grant in a bloody cat-and-mouse game to the northeast of Richmond; Benjamin Butler was tasked with moving his Army of the James against either Richmond or Petersburg. Grant—who held little regard for Butler’s military skills; allowed him to remain in command of the operation because of Butler’s political influence; but remained extremely hesitant about Butler’s qualifications to command. Grant was soon proven right. Butler and his subordinates allowed themselves to become bottled up on the Bermuda Hundred by a much inferior force of rebel troops; and with this immobility saw a large section of his army moved to Grant in early June.Butler was scorned by the removal of a large portion of his army; and shortly thereafter decided that an offensive plan of action was needed to keep what remained of his command intact. Butler decided that he should make a move toward the formidable Petersburg defenses and its militia defenders. The operation was botched from the beginning by Butler and subordinates alike; and soon the Petersburg defenders became aware of the intentions against the city. Though the garrison contained little to no actual combat troops; Henry Wise formed his rag-tag group together to do their duty for their native state.The assault finally got underway and proved semi-successful in areas for Butler’s army; but costly delays and ineptitude prevented the Union troops from entering the city. By the time the Federals were able to mount a coordinated assault; James Dearing’s veteran cavalry troopers had arrived and helped the militia troops to repel Butler’s advance. By the end of June 9; 1864; Petersburg was safe again; and Butler had wasted a prime opportunity to possibly end the war earlier than it did.I recommend this work for those that have interest in the lesser known battles of the American Civil War. While the units or commanders are not household names; the book shows the true dedication of a city facing a much superior foe. Henry Wise’s brave defense on June 9th essentially decided that Petersburg would take almost ten more months to fall; and would end up being the longest and bloodiest siege ever waged on North American soil.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The battle of Old Men Young BoysBy Timothy E. MasseyWith its location near Richmond and its strategic importance as a major rail center Petersburg was destined to become a household name following the Civil War. The union launched a ten month siege of the Petersburg defenses. It was Brig. Gen. Henry Wise’s paltry 1;200 Confederate defenders; one-quarter of which were reserves that included several companies of elderly men and teenagers who withstood the surge of 4600 Union troops.The defense of Petersburg is some of the least understood battles of the Civil War. How such mortals could withstand the perils of such bombardments and frontal assaults and still hold and protect the city is the focus of this book.The battle of Old Men and Young Boys is the only Civil War battle commemorated in Petersburg today. Read this book and you will know why.
