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Fredericksburg 1862: "Clear The Way" (Praeger Illustrated Military History)
written by Carl Smith
Studio : Praeger Publishers
by Praeger Publishers
Publisher : Praeger Publishers
Released : 2004-08-30
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780275984465
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 4 reviews)
List Price : $36.95
Our Price : $4.99
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Book Description |
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In December 1862, things were still confused for the Union. Antietam had been a tactical failure for both sides, and although the battle showed that the Union army could bring the Confederates to bay, it couldn't pin them in one place long enough to destroy them. McClellan was slow in pursuing the withdrawing Lee, not acting until October 1862. Still, Lee's invasion had been stalled and repulsed. In the West General Grant was closing on Vicksburg, and the Mississippi was under greater Union control. Lincoln appointed General Burnside to command the Army of the Potomac, and it was the latter who planned to seize and secure the town of Fredericksburg, and then take the Confederate capital of Richmond. Carl Smith's book details the epic struggle that engulfed the Union side as it crossed the Rappahannock on December 11, encountering stiff opposition from Lee's men. |
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Errors Abound |
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I hate to nit-pick, but I found Fredericksburg 1862 and Chancellorsville 1863 to be replete with errors, at least the versions I read, both Military Book Club editions. The lists of errors I sent to Osprey went on for a three and six pages respectively. Many of them were relatively minor, but there were enough of them, and some not so minor, to cause me to consider the books greatly flawed. Let me note here that I live near Fredericksburg and volunteer once a month at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, so I am fairly familiar with the battles in question. I also want to point out up front that Osprey was very receptive to my comments and implied that future editions may incorporate some changes. I own more than 75 Osprey titles and that this is certainly not the norm for their products, many of which are excellent. Some types of problems I noted with the books included: - spelling errors such as Sedgewick for Sedgwick (not always, but several times), Siegel for Sigel and Hero Van Borke for Heros von Borcke. - geographic errors such as inaccurate descriptions of the road net, an incorrect locations for geographic features, and faulty relative positions. - graphical errors such as inaccurate troop dispositions (multiple instances), incorrect unit symbology and faulty depiction of vegetation on maps. - factual errors such as placing events on the wrong date, incorrectly identifying unit commanders and referring to Chancellorsville as a farmhouse rather than an inn. I recommend waiting for a revised edition. |
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Useful but flawed |
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The diagrams and orders of battle are very good. Some of the diagrams, including that of the attack on the town, are invaluable. However, if using this as a serious reference, make sure you have a second source. There are a number of disturbing errors. A quote credited to Longstreet was actually by Alexander Porter. The dates on the Mud March are wrong (or perhaps this section is just poorly written). The name of one of the two generals who criticized Burnside in Washington is wrong! These errors throw into serious question the editing and validity of the work. |
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Typos on the Rappahannock |
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Smith's is one of the better Osprey volumes, with some evocative Hook 'paintings' (I hesitate to use the word "art")and nicely detailed maps of the fighting in and around the town and Marye's Heights. While the narrative is a bit choppy, in terms of style, it makes its point. The detailed OoB is quite valuable . . .and would be more so if it weren't for the disturbing number of typos (The 22nd Mass regiment with 2100+ men? A battery with 21 Napoleons.) Not definitive, nor is it intended to be, but valuable nonetheless. |
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A fine book for military historians with great art and maps |
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Carl Smith's latest book is useful for the military historian, the reenactor, the wargamer and the general public. The book provides a useful order of battle that allows one to determine what units participated in the battle. In a very readable manner, the book covers the famous charges by Union troops against Confederate positions on Marye's heights. More notable is the book's coverage of the savage street fighting that took place prior to these famous charges. The book has three splendid 3-dimension maps as well as a host of smaller ones. The book is also well illustrated by Adam Hook; Hook's best work perhaps being the picture of Sgt. Kirkland giving water to wounded federal soldiers. All in all, I heartily recommend this book. |
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