Shenandoah 1864

Time-Life Books developed a score or so of volumes in its "Voices of the Civil War" series. The front dust cover outlines the essence of this volume: "The book is by and of the soldiers and civilians who experienced the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign." Here, we get a personal view of those involved in the conflict featuring Union forces under Phil Sheridan and Confederate troops under the command of Jubal Early. The first part of the volume details the return of Confederate troops, the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia with General Jubal Early at its head, to the Shenandoah Valley, to create havoc and--perhaps--to reduce the pressure of the siege at Petersburg. The Valley was a breadbasket for the Confederacy, and Union forces were on the prowl there; Robert E. Lee felt that he had to send some of his scarce troops there. Early did well and advanced on Washington, D. C. after Union forces, poorly led by the likes of Sigel and Hunter, were demonstrably not up to the task of holding the Valley. After a reverse at Monocacy Junction, costing valuable time, Early was unable to do more than threaten the Capitol. Then, Union forces gathered to begin the context with Early, under Phil Sheridan's command. The book depicts their jousting and the ultimate victory of the Union forces. But, it is the personal views of civilians and troops that make this book come to life. There are descriptions of the campaign, but this is an "up close and personal" view of the campaign. Reflections by people like Lt. Col. William Lincoln, captured early in the Valley struggle. Or Henrietta Lee's tart criticism of General Hunter, for his burning of homes. Or Private David Bull, reporting on seeing President Lincoln on the ramparts of a fort protecting Washington, D. C. And General Emory Upton writing to his sister as Sheridan's army was poised to begin its campaign in August. And so on--from the early part of the struggle, with Union leaders like Sigel and Hunter and Crook struggling with Confederate leaders like Breckenridge, to the main act between Early and Sheridan. If you want a lot of analysis, this is not the book for you. But if you are interested in the human side of this campaign, then the volume reviewed here may be of genuine interest.