|
|
|
|
|
|
Lee's Endangered Left: The Civil War In Western Virginia, Spring Of 1864
written by Richard R. Duncan
Studio : Louisiana State University Press
by Louisiana State University Press
Publisher : Louisiana State University Press
Released : 2004-12-30
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780807130186
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 2 reviews)
List Price : $24.95
Our Price : $10.00
|
|
| |
|
Product Description |
|
In the spring of 1864, Ulysses S. Grant as general-in-chief of the Union armies devised a plan of concerted action to bring down the Confederacy. As part of that strategy, Grant aimed to destroy General Robert E. Lee’s supply source for his Army of Northern Virginia in western Virginia and to use military activity there as an extended turning movement to threaten Lee from the west. In this outstanding study, Richard R. Duncan offers a riveting overview of these military operations we well as their impact on the civilian population, shedding light on an often overlooked chapter of the Civil War in Virginia. |
| |
|
| |
|
A must read book |
This is a must read book for anyone interested in the 1864 Overland Campaign. Our Civil War history is limited to the VMI Cadets at New Market and the invasion of 1864 by Early. We now have a book that fills in the gaps telling us the why, where and how. Reading this book explains why a hard-pressed Lee would detach Jubal Early to The Valley on more than a desperate gamble. All of this sets up the reasoning behind Sheridan's return to The Valley and his actions.
This is a very well written book presenting the 1864 campaign in Western Virginia in a logical sequence allowing the reader to follow the events with few problems. How events in one place influence another area is well detailed giving the reader a clear picture of the overall campaign. The author manages to place events within the 1864 Overland Campaign without detracting from the story. This is one of the strong points of the book, giving us a full and clear understand of the war. The only problem is maps. There are not enough of them and the ones we have are poor and badly placed.
|
| |
|
A Most Critical Phase of the Civil War |
|
Basically well written and excellently researched , this book offers insights on the critical battles of the Civil War in western Virginia during the Spring of 1864, a subject usually not covered in detail. The details provided and the sequence presented on military operations give a very useful overview of strategy and tactics in this area in 1864. Richard Duncan, the author, details the unsuccessful attempts by General Hunter's army to live off the land which contrasts with Sherman's success in Georgia. While Sherman's effect on the civilian population is well known, the harsh treatment of civilians in the Shenandoah Valley is not as widely covered in print; and Richard Duncan's account provides much useful information and references on the subject of the Union Army's relationship with the area's civilians. The importance of the campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley during the Spring of 1894 should not be ignored. Had General Hunter been successful, the Civil War may have ended six months earlier. This book well describes Grant's strategy, Lee and Davis responses and the numerous mistakes made by both armies. Making this account enjoyable, is the inclusion of brief biographical sketches of the field officers involved before discussing each operation. The book suffers from a lack of good and sufficient maps. The maps provided do little to support the text. Critically needed are maps on individual battles. This is especially true of Chapter 2, The Dublin Raid, where maps are provided only on Crook's and Averell's routes to and from Dublin; however, maps on some of the raid's engagements/battles would greatly enhance the text. In addition, maps are badly needed for the engagements fought near Lynchburg. However, both the professional historian and the Civil War buff, would do well to read this work. |
| |
|
|
|
