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Overview
Generally regarded as the most important of the Civil War campaigns conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, that of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. The armies of Philip H. Sheridan and Jubal A. Early contended for immense stakes. Beyond the agricultural bounty and the boost in morale a victory would bring, events in the Valley also would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass. The eleven original essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors examine strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The authors do not always agree with one another, yet, taken together, their essays highlight important connections between the home front and the battlefield, as well as ways in which military affairs, civilian experiences, and politics played off one another during the campaign.Contributors:William W. Bergen, Charlottesville, VirginiaKeith S. Bohannon, State University of West GeorgiaAndre M. Fleche, University of VirginiaGary W. Gallagher, University of VirginiaJoseph T. Glatthaar, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRobert E. L. Krick, Richmond, VirginiaRobert K. Krick, Fredericksburg, VirginiaWilliam J. Miller, Churchville, VirginiaAaron Sheehan-Dean, University of North FloridaWilliam G. Thomas, University of Nebraska-LincolnJoan Waugh, University of California, Los AngelesGenerally regarded as the most important Civil War military operation conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the campaign of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. Beyond the loss of agricultural bounty to the Confederacy and the boost in Union morale a victory would bring, events in the Valley also would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass. The eleven original essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors consider strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The contributors are William W. Bergen, Keith S. Bohannon, Andre M. Fleche, Gary W. Gallagher, Joseph T. Glatthaar, Robert E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, William J. Miller, Aaron Sheehan-Dean, William G. Thomas, and Joan Waugh. The editor is Gary W. Gallagher.—>
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780807877111 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | The University of North Carolina Press |
| Publication date: | 12/15/2006 |
| Series: | Military Campaigns of the Civil War |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 416 |
| File size: | 5 MB |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Introduction ix
Two Generals and a Valley: Philip H. Sheridan and Jubal A. Early in the Shenandoah Gary w. Gallagher 3
U.S. Grant and the Union High Command during the 1864 Valley Campaign Joseph T. Glatthaar 34
"The Fatal Halt" versus "Bad Conduct": John B. Gordon, Jubal A. Early, and the Battle of Cedar Creek Keith S. Bohannon 56
The Other Hero of Cedar Creek: The "Not specially Ambitious" Horatio G. Wright William W. Bergen 85
Never Has There Been a More Complete Victory: The Cavalry Engagements at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1986 William J. Miller 134
A Stampeede of Stampeeds: The Confederate Disaster at Fisher's Hill Robert E. L. Krick 161
Uncivilized War: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign, the Northern Democratic Press, and the Election of 1864 Andre M. Fleche 200
Nothing Ought to Astonish Us: Confederate Civilians in the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign William G. Thomas 222
Success Is So Blended with Defeat: Virginia Soldiers in the Shenandoah Valley Aaron Sheehan-Dean 257
New England Cavalier: Charles Russell Lowell and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 Joan Waugh 299
The Confederate Pattons Robert K. Krick 341
Bibliographic Essay 371
Contributors 377
Index 379
What People are Saying About This
For Civil War buffs (and you know who you are), it is the closest thing to attending a round-table in book form—read a chapter en masse and let the debating begin.—Civil War Times
This new volume in the series contains fine writing and commendable research. It has much to offer in any examination of the significant campaign.—Civil War News
For scholars . . . the volume offers significant new studies. More general Civil War readers will find the essays . . . informative, engaging, and well-written.—Civil War History
Gallagher's book, The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, is a fine collection of essays, all well written and researched. . . . Gallagher's collection of essays represents sound scholarship on some of the notable personalities and tactical movements of a desperate Confederate operation in Virginia.—Journal of American History
Provides perspective on a variety of military, political and social issues related to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.—The Washington Times
[The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864] will be a necessary work for any future study of the campaign for final control of 'The Breadbasket of the Confederacy.'—Journal of Military History
A great compilation of essays dealing with the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. . . . Original and thoroughly researched. . . . Provide[s] historians and buffs alike with new material to consider when examining the Civil War.—Historian
In The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, Gary Gallagher and his distinguished colleagues offer Civil War historians and lovers of Virginia history a fresh and perceptive analysis of the military, social, and political events during the final campaign in the 'Breadbasket of the South.'—North Carolina Historical Review
A valuable book that is essential reading for anyone interested in the Valley Campaign of 1864.—Military Images
The delight found in these essays glimmers in the rummaging eye. . . . Gallagher's bazaar of scholars, mature and youthful, academic and independent, is open to a curious and treasure-hunting public.—Military History of the West