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In the first comprehensive treatment of the subject, Stephen Z. Starr covers in three volumes the dramatic story of the Union cavalry. In this first volume he presents briefly the story of the United States cavalry prior to the Civil War, describing how the Union cavalry was raised, organized, equipped, and trained and offering detailed descriptions of the campaigns and battles in which the cavalry engaged--the Peninsula, Shenandoah Valley/Second Bull Run, Lee's invasion of Maryland, Kelly's Ford, Stoneman's May 1863 Raid, Brandy Station (Fleetwood); Aldie-Middleburg-Upperville; and Gettysburg. Starr focuses on the officers and men of the Union cavalry--who they were; how they lived, fought, behaved; what they thought. Starr tells their story, drawn from regimental records and histories, memoirs, letters, diaries, and reminiscences whenever possible in the words of the troopers themselves. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK "A monumental legacy to Civil War scholarship." --Journal of Southern History (about the series as a whole) "The writing style is as spirited as the cavalry clash at Brandy Station, and the author's well-formed judgments ring forth as clearly as a bugler sounding `Charge!'"--Journal of Southern History "An important book, distinguished by ambitious scope, clarity of expression, exquisite documentation, illuminating detail, and judicious critical balance. . . . Here is a significant chapter in American military history, superbly presented."--Journal of American History "The book is a bonanza for Civil War buffs."--Atlantic Monthly "An ambitious project boldly conceived and brilliantly executed."--North Carolina Historical Review `Starr's study will likely serve as the definitive source on Union calvary in the Civil War." --Georgia Historical Review "Rarely does a study appear that sweeps all its predecessors aside and stands alone as the authoritative source on the subject. This one does just that."--James I . Robertson, Jr, Richmond News Leader 536 pages, 10 Halftones, 5 Maps, 6 x 9 |
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This is the classic account of the Union Cavalry in the American Civil War and a needed addition to every library. For many years, the series was out of print, available only in the secondary market at a high price. From Fort Sumter to Gettysburg, published in 1979, introduces the series detailing the problems and joys of raising cavalry regiments and serving in them. During this period, the Union cavalry struggles to achieve parity with the clearly superior CSA cavalry in the east. The War in the East from Gettysburg to Appomattox, published in 1981, covers the period when the Union cavalry moves from parity to dominance on the battlefields of the east. The War in the West, published in 1985, covers a very different war with very different requirements and results. The three books are the author's life work starting in 1963 and ending just before his death in 1985. Starr won both a Fletcher Pratt and a Jefferson Davis award for his work. The writing is clear, informative and very readable. The author provides a very balanced picture of cavalry operations and the problems involved with them. This is the story behind hundreds of movie charges and gives the reader the background of what is involved in getting the men and horses to that point. Each book is complete for the subject but the real value is in buying the set and reading them together. |
