In June 1864; Grant attempted to seize the Confederate rail hub of Petersburg; Virginia. General P.G.T. Beauregard responded by rushing troops to Petersburg to protect the vital supply lines. A stalemate developed as both armies entrenched around the city. Union commander General Ambrose Burnside advanced the unusual idea of allowing the 48th Pennsylvania—a regiment from the mining town of Pottsville—to excavate a mine; effectively tunneling under Confederate entrenchments. One of the most inventive and creative conflicts of the war; the Battle of the Crater ultimately became one of the most controversial; as an almost certain Union victory turned into an astonishing Confederate triumph. With special emphasis on the role of the 48th Pennsylvania; this history provides an in-depth examination of the Battle of the Crater; which took place during July 1864. Here; bickering between Federal commanders and a general breakdown of communications allowed shattered Confederate troops the opportunity to regroup after a particularly devastating blow to their defenses. The work examines the ways in which the personality conflict between generals George Meade and Ambrose Burnside ultimately cost the Union an opportunity to capture Petersburg and bring an early end to the war. On the other hand; it details the ways in which the cooperation of Confederate commanders helped to turn this certain defeat into an unexpected Southern achievement. Appendices include a list of forces that took part in the Battle of the Crater; a table of casualties from the battle and a list of soldiers decorated for gallantry during the conflict.
#1808000 in Books Mcfarland n Co Inc Pub 2001-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.87 x .61 x 7.03l; .86 #File Name: 0786410701224 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The Underground Railroad UnmaskedBy Robert UrekewArmed guards are stationed at ferry terminals on both shores of the wide river; carefully inspecting the travel documents of selected persons; insensitive to the fear and humiliation they inflict on these targets of their scrutiny. A scenario from a modern totalitarian government in the years just prior to the fall of Communism in Europe? Hardly. The ferry terminals are in Louisville; Kentucky and New Albany; Indiana; and the time frame is just prior to and including the American Civil War. With honesty; precision and determination; Pamela Peters presents her readers with a glimpse of what it must have been like to be a slave in a Southern state who had the hope of freedom and the means to attain it: The Underground RailroadPeters paints a brutally frank picture of the stark realities that faced slaves who attempted to cross the Ohio River into a "free" state like Indiana. Degradation and vilification did not cease on the other shore. Humiliating legislation denied both runaways and free blacks the rights and privileges enjoyed by the white majority; forced them to live in isolated designated areas; required them to register as aliens and even to pay a bond against the likelihood that they might lack gainful employment. She makes it quite clear that crossing over into "free" territory could not be the final goal for runaway slaves. For complete security; the destination had to be Canada; since federal law permitted owners of escaped slaves to arrest and detain them anywhere in the United States.With painstaking precision; the author documents her findings. She employs every available resource; from gravestones to courthouse records to personal interviews with descendents. In addition to correcting the mistaken popular view that there was freedom and security for runaways in the North; Peters also demonstrates the complicity of most of the mainstream churches in the odious institution that was slavery. As if that were not enough; perhaps one of her most significant contributions is the clear and compelling evidence that the Underground Railroad's conductors were not mostly well-intentioned white folks. Rather; those who risked so much to bring freedom to others in this unique clandestine network were free and recently-freed African-Americans ; as well as other runaway slaves. After Pamela Peters; the popular textbook version of the Underground Railroad's conductors being principled; church-going white people is no longer tenable.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Underground Railroad in Floyd County; IndianaBy Gilbert GarnerHaving been born in Floyd County; Indiana; I often wondered what role Indiana; being a border state; playedduring the unfortunate period of civil war in America. Thistreatise so eloquently presented; answered many of the questions I often asked myself before I was able to sink deeply into this discourse. Thank you Pam Peters; for I now know many of my ancestors aligned themselves with good and fought diligently on the side of freedom and against the evils of human bondage. And; were able to accomplish much; despite the transgressions and oppression that were visited upon them.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Ground-Breaking Work on Underground RR DiscoveriesBy A CustomerThis book contains extensive and thorough research to back up and debunk certain claims about the Underground Railroad in Indiana. This is a fascinating look at what happened right along the border of the North and the South. The author does a good job of revealing the truths often imbedded in the legends regarding the Underground Railroad.
