The Wilderness Campaign

This book is a collection of essays by noted historians on various aspects of the armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia and the Battle of the Wilderness. Author Gallagher is the editor and all of the essay writers acquit themselves most honorably. I found myself eager to read the next essay, and the only drawback to this work for the general reader is that it supposes the reader already has substantial knowledge concerning Grant's campaign and the Battle of the Wilderness. That being said, there is much to learn here that will surprise even serious Civil War students. The first three essays focus on the armies themselves, their leadership, political factors, and the morale in the armies as well as on their respective home fronts. Both sides looked to the Spring campaign of 1864 as being the decisive conflict of arms in the war, and both expected to win it. Authors Simpson, Gallagher and Hennessey provide about 100 pages of superb analysis, even the oft-overlooked political and morale problems resulting from journalists and their expectations. The essay on the performance of the Federal Cavalry commanders (Sheridan and in particular James Wilson) casts a great deal of light on the cavalry's less than stellar performance during the battle that endangered Grant's entire campaign and even his tenure as overall commander. Fortunately, these blunders were almost matched by Lee's slow concentration of forces, most notably the tardy movement of Longstreet's corps to the battlefield. Nonetheless, putting two competent officers in charge of units for which they were certainly unqualified by experience to command (neither possessed cavalry experience), was nearly an unmitigated disaster. Both learned rapidly from their miscues, however, as Sheridan went on to perform admirably in the Shenandoah Valley with an independent command, and Wilson performed brilliantly at Nashville and later in bringing Forrest to bay at Selma. But here at the Wilderness, Wilson came within an ace of losing his entire command, and Sheridan was guilty of failing to be the eyes and ears of Meade's army. The controversy over A.P Hill and Dick Ewell's performances actually breaks new ground by Carmichael's study of the evidence and analyses of the sources. With only Heth and Gordon supporting Lee in his comments against Hill and Ewell, one must look hard at the situation. As the author points out, southern generals almost never missed an opportunity to defend Lee and place blame on subordinates, but in this case the usual suspects are strangely silent. And then there is the problem of Heth's account with regards to its accuracy. Douglas Southhall Freeman's work comes into question, and for many years he has been considered as having produced the Bible with respect to Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Carmichael's work also cannot be called revisionist with the negative implications of the word -- it is simply a balanced study and analysis of

The thrill of finally putting an end to the war and the enemy raced through many soldier's minds as both armies had high hopes of victory in early May of 1864. Though facing serious defeats in 1863, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia is ready to tackle the newly appointed former western campaign leader U.S. Grant and his Army of the Potomac. Author and historian Gary Gallagher builds the awareness of such great expectations from both sides which sets the stage for a great conflict. His writing captures the flavor of northern morale and the polictical situation around Washington. The frustration with former Union commanders and a long and brutal war have dampened spirits in the north and this book is great at building the reasons for why and how the spring campaign of 1864 began. This book is written by a multiple of great Civil War authors that enhance this great battle.Foiled Union Cavalry movements of Sheridan start the season off as Ewell and AP Hill come to meet and fight the approaching Grant. Writer Peter Carmichael and Gordon Rhea bring these actions to the front with great detail. Movements and maps are easy to follow. The famous, "Lee to the rear!" episode of the Wilderness is brought forth by Robert Krick which certainly explains the situation of Lee wanting to lead his men. Many personal soldier accounts are brought into the fold to dispell doubts or conflicting stories about this great event in Civil War history. Carol Reardon and Robert Krick bring together the struggle famous Vermont Brigade battle and Longstreet's flank attack on May the 6th. Longstreet's fall from friendly fire and the confusion faced by Mahone's men is covered well. To understand the Wilderness campaign this is an essential 'must have' for anyone trying to understand the thoughts, plans, tactics and outcomes of the battle.

Gallagher and company always add an extra dimension to previous books on their subject matter that are not normally mainstream but important events and they give you the full detail. Fascinating highlights are (Carmichael) the controversy of Hill's corps on the second day, who was at fault for not digging in or straightening the lines? Who delayed Gordon's attack on Grants exposed right flank and how effective was it? The true story of the "Lee to the Rear Event" by R. K. Krick as well as an excellent description of Sheridan's first full blown attempt to use the Calvary in full force doing it "his way" that contributed to Meade's (with Grant) blind march through the Wilderness by Rhea. Another gem is R.E.L. Kick's description of Longstreet's and the First Corps' finest hour, stopping the hemorrhage on the confederate right and the storied shock flank attack by R.E.L. Krick. Reardon write a remarkable history of the Vermont Brigade that stood in the eye of the storm first against Hill and then Longstreet. The first few essays discuss Grant and the health and description of the two armies. Gallagher's sounds familiar to his book "The Confederate War" and the others are written well enough (Hennessy shines on the Army of the Potomac); however, I would have preferred more gems on the battle itself. More detail on the rest of the command such as Burnsides' unique role as a semi-detached corps commander and his whereabouts during the battle, why the Union forces could not exploit the gap between confederate units between the Orange Plank Road and the Orange Turnpike and a larger overview map of the battle to see virtually all the units on the field to get a better feel for distance, time and terrain. Always interesting to read R. K. Krick's comments on Longstreet, he does say a few things positive about his march. Hope he writes a book on Longstreet, possible title "Longstreet and his Thorns".

This is the first book I have purchased in his "Military Campaigns of the Civil War" series and I assure you this will not be the last! The essays are fantastic. They are crisp and well written. He has picked his scholars well and each one has a great in-depth analysis of their topic. Each article has enlightened me about aspects of this battle I never thought about before; most notably that of the other General Grant and his Vermont regiment and the mental states of both armies as they began the Overland Campaign of 1864.The articles concerning the historical accuracy of the Lee's advance with the Texans in Widow Tapp's field and the success of Longstreet's hammering flank attack of Hancock's II Corps, on May 6th, has me hooked and excited about reading other volumes in this series as well.These essays also provide additional help in examining these events in greater detail and providing the reader an opportunity to obtain greater knowledge as to how events developed and progressed in the choas we have come to know as the Battle of the Wilderness. I highly recommend this book as an addition to any other texts you may own concerning this first battle between the armies of Lee and Grant.