Charles R. Knight's 'Valley Thunder' is the first full-length account in more than three decades to examine the combat at New Market on May 15; 1864-the battle that opened the pivotal 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign.Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant; who set in motion the wide-ranging operation to subjugate the South in 1864; intended to attack the Confederacy on multiple fronts so it could no longer "take advantage of interior lines." One of the keys to success in the Eastern Theater was control of the Shenandoah Valley; a strategically important and agriculturally abundant region that helped feed Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Grant tasked Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel; a German immigrant with a mixed fighting record; and a motley collection of units numbering some 10;000 men to clear the Valley and threaten Lee's left flank. Opposing Sigel was John C. Breckinridge; a former vice president and now Confederate major general who assembled a scratch command to repulse the invading Federals. Included within the ranks of his 4;500-man army were cadets from the Virginia Military Institute under the direction of VMI Commandant of Cadets Lt. Col. Scott Ship; who had marched eighty miles in just four days to fight Sigel.When the two armies faced off at New Market; Breckinridge boldly announced; "I shall advance on him. We can attack and whip them here and we will do it!" As the general rode by the cadets he shouted; "Gentlemen; I trust I will not need your services today; but if I do; I know you will do your duty." The sharp fighting seesawed back and forth during a drenching rainstorm; and was not concluded until the cadets were dramatically inserted into the battle line to repulse a Federal attack and launch one of their own.The Confederate victory drove Union forces from the Valley; but they would return; reinforced and under new leadership; within a month. Before being repulsed; these Federals would march over the field at New Market and capture Staunton; burn VMI in Lexington (partly in retaliation for the cadets' participation at New Market); and very nearly capture Lynchburg. Operations in the Valley on a much larger scale that summer would permanently sweep the Confederates from the "Bread Basket of the Confederacy."'Valley Thunder: The Battle of New Market' is based upon years of primary research and a firsthand appreciation of the battlefield terrain. Knight's balanced and objective approach includes a detailed examination of the complex prelude leading up to the day of battle. His entertaining prose introduces a new generation of readers to a wide array of soldiers; civilians; and politicians who found themselves swept up in one of the war's most gripping engagements.About the Author: Charles R. Knight is a native of Richmond; Virginia. He is a former Historical Interpreter at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park; and currently serves as the curator of the Douglas MacArthur Memorial. Charlie has written articles for various Civil War and railroad publications; including Blue and Gray; Classic Trains; and NRHS Bulletin. He lives in Norfolk; Virginia; with his wife and son. REVIEWS "Valley Thunder surely takes its place now among the dozen finest and most complete accounts of any Civil War action; and it would be hard to name any account of a secondary fight of this size that has been better treated. Knight's study is a contribution not just to Virginia or Confederate literature; but a book that will serve the entire Civil War community for generations to come; and probably much longer than my thirty-six years. The only way we will get a better account is if Breckinridge and the others come to life and give it to us from their own lips." -- William C. Davis; former editor of Civil War Times; Illustrated; author of The Batt
#120494 in Books 1999-03-01 1997-03-01Formats: Color; Full ScreenOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 5.50 x .25l; .12 Running time: 125 minutes #File Name: 193009722030 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Remarkable film of mixed genres! This is a must see! for me also a MUST OWN!By kitcatviThis is one of my favorite films - a kind of psycho; sci-fi thriller about enslaved people and freedom. The first time I saw the film was when the producer took it from city to city for viewings that were announced by word of mouth and that were one day a week at a single theater in my city.Without financial backing this was the creative way that the producer exposed this film to the public. It was information spread by creative; thought leaders - artists - film makers and other independent people at a time when the internet didn't exist and when I saw it the theater was full. After there was a discussion and the producer was right there in the theater with the rest of us. Remarkable; his dedication and commitment on getting this film seen. I first purchased the VHS tape and looked for it on DVD because it's a must for my video library.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Powerful readBy Whitney RichardsonPLEASE please read this book . I encourage all people (mostly African American) to read this. It shows the truth of a war we've been fighting for way before today. I love how raw it is ; and it has made me open my eyes to many things . Including myself; I hope it does the same for you .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. What Chains should I Wear?By RavenBWWhen people think of black science fiction or blacks in science fiction we generally think of the big guns such as Octavia Butler but there is a wealth of work flying under the radar probably more due to economics than any artistic or quality issues. This film is a good example of that. Underneath its dated veneer there was a good story with an interesting time travel premise as it applies to the history of slavery. Not really a spoiler but the protagonist is a fashion model who travels back to wake up a slave which from the outset makes the case for a continuum in the process of exploitation of blacks be it one form of labor or another. For this alone I applaud this film but it does go on to expound on that premise in admirable fashion.
