War So Terrible: A Popular History of the Battle of Fredericksburg

by Donald C. Pfanz

This is a collection of 37 articles, each complete in itself, that together draw a rich picture of the people and events in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862. The cast includes Robert E. Lee and other generals; soldiers; townspeople; famous Fredericksburg visitors; Professor Lowe the balloonist; the Irish Brigade; and more. Read about pontoon bridges, aerial observation, urban warfare, heroics and hoaxes. This Civil War history is illustrated with four maps and more than 100 images from the archives of period photographs and artworks. War So Terrible is published in a limited edition of 3,000.

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[William Olenick · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published as articles in a local newspaper to renew interest in the battlefield and it history, they are now collected in this book as a history of the battle. There are three general maps included and numerous illustrations and photos. The history includes rarely talked about topics, as example, the balloon operations by Professor Lowe, battlefield injuries and Clare Burton. This is a good read, general details of Fredericksburg and its campaign.