Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had no idea that the failed attack he led at Petersburg on June 18; 1864; that nearly took his life would spark controversy more than a century later. According to his own accounts; penned decades after the event; he led his brigade against the permanent fortifications of the Dimmock Line at Rives’ Salient; in an attack that originated from the future site of Union “Fort Hell.†His line of battle advanced along the Jerusalem Plank Road through a murderous flank fire from what was soon to become Confederate-held Fort Mahone. According to author Dennis Rasbach’s new study; none of this is true. Chamberlain’s grievous and presumed fatal wounding; together with his stellar previous service at Little Round Top and elsewhere; resulted in a rare “on the spot†battlefield promotion to brigadier general. He survived; returned to brigade command in 1865; and participated in the surrender of Lee’s veterans at Appomattox. His account of the events of June 18; coupled with its perpetuation by historians and other writers; fused his wounding and Rives’ Salient in the modern consciousness. This interpretation was given an additional mantle of authority with the erection of a Medal of Honor Recipient’s placard near South Crater Road by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources on November 8; 2014. Rasbach builds his meticulous case like a detective; adding one piece of primary evidence upon another while matching them to terrain features. Chamberlain was a brave and honest man; argues Rasbach; but he was gravely wounded amidst smoke and confusion; carried off the field; and never had the opportunity to re-study the ground over which he led his men. An overwhelming body of evidence; much of it derived from Chamberlain himself; demonstrates he actually attacked a different part of the Confederate line nearly a mile away. Richly illustrated with photos and more than thirty maps; Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Petersburg Campaign dispels a well-established Civil War myth and sets the historical record straight. It is essential reading for all who would understand the important fighting of June 18; 1864; and Chamberlain’s role in it.
#676274 in Books Public Affairs 2016-04-05 2016-04-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.06 x .94 x 5.75l; 1.21 #File Name: 1610396367320 pagesPublic Affairs
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Must-Read for Anyone Interested in Trans-SiberianBy N. J. WilliamsIf you like well-written history; if you're interested at all in 20th-century Russia/Soviet Union; if you're into trains the histories thereof; this book is for you. Thoroughly researched; elegantly written; measured fair in its judgments; "To the Edge of the World" was a fascinating account of the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway. I rode the length of the railway this summer and took this book along; although I didn't end up reading it till after I was home. I wish I'd read it beforehand (or during); as I would have had a better appreciation for the monumental achievement that it is and for just how much history; much of it grim; played out along this line. One more thing: I read the Kindle version. I wish I'd had the hard copy; as the maps images on Kindle were just not user-friendly.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A fine general treatmentBy CournotThis is a great book describing much about the Trans-Siberian Railway. The best parts involve the political consequences of the project. I found the stuff about the Russo-Japanese war (and the railway's role in it) very interesting as were the parts about the Russian revolution. For my tastes there was too little about the technical problems of building the railway. But if you're interested in a sweeping overall view; this is a nice compromise.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. I enjoy history very much and revel in the minutia of ...By Delinda SueI enjoy history very much and revel in the minutia of how things get done. So this book delivered on those points. I think I would have liked to know more about the actual construction of the railroad as well as the politics of the construction of the railroad. I guess history buffs are never satisfied. It is very apparent that public works projects always get bogged down in bureaucracy. Times haven't changed that much! I enjoyed reading this book and only the jumping around the timeline made it not 5 stars for me.
