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The Everything Civil War Book: Everything You Need to Know About the War That Divided the Nation
From profiles of the Civil War's great leaders to military campaigns, weaponry, battle tactics, and more, this detailed, entertaining overview of the Civil War offers valuable insights into the people and events that transformed American history. Original.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 21, 2020
Surprisingly, this book has no maps. None at all! I would think it as ridiculous reading a war book without any maps. There aren't even any illustrations on the uniforms or the weapons. It just texts and pictures you can scan from the National Archives. That concludes my review. Below are the key points I've learnt from this book.
Causes of the Civil War: expansion of slavery into the newly acquired state, not to end it. Southern Economy are defined by cash crops manned by slaves, does not have the manufacturing capability of the North. Newly acquired territories, brought in by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Mexican War sparked the debate on the question of slavery. The South invoked the 10th Amendment which expressly mentioned that those power not delegated to the federal government, must be left to the state.
The direct cause for the secession would be the looming victory of Abraham Lincoln, who is an avid opponent of slavery and backed by many vocal abolitionists. Losing their last straw after he won the election, South Carolina was the first state to declare secession.
The first battle signalling the start of Civil War was the siege of Union's Fort Sumter, ending with its surrender.
The Anaconda Plan was designed to hurt the South economically, done by blockading the South by land and sea. Its goals were to prevent the South from selling their cotton or buying war material overseas. While the South possessed no navy at all, the Union's navy proved to be too small too effectively blockade the large Southern shoreline.
The First Battle of Bull Run. Union possessed the numbers but the soldiers are too inexperienced. The move to victory was not from difficult maneuvers, as both sides failed to do so, but from flanking and crushing the opponent's moral. Union General McDowell caught on this, and advanced his troops with the intent of attacking the Confederate left, and this worked well as their opponents had to retreat and hold to their dear position at the Henry Hill. But the arrival of General Johnston outflanking the Union far left, causing massive routing and fleeing.
The Battle of Shiloh, again proving that ouflanking and surprise attacks trumps difficult maneuvering. The Confederate Johnston attacked in the night before the Union Army of Grant and Buell combined, resulting heavy Union losses. And Grant repayed this by a sudden morning attack, to a totally unprepared Beauregard who decided to wait until morning. By the end of the day, the Union captured most of the lands they lost previously and the Confederate retreated to Corinth. The consecutive winnings at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh showed a promising start in the western front of the war.
Peninsular Campaign. The idea was brilliant, to transport the Army of the Potomac to the peninsular tip of the James River and marched north. But Lee's tactics and McClellan hesistancy turned the campaign down.
Second Bull Run. Union General Pope marched forward to meet Jackson's troops which he taught to be retreating, only to be outflanked on his left sideby 30,000 men led by Lee and Longstreet.
Antietam. As the soldiers gained experienced, this allow the commanders to field more elaborate attack plan. A combined attack by Hooker, Mansfield and Sumner nearly devastated the Confederates' left, led by Jackson. The Union pushed forward and the Confederates almost eliminated if McClellan, with his usual overcautious attitude, hadn't decided to rest.
Chancellorsville. In order to dislodge the Confederates from Fredericksburg, Union general Hooker divided its force with 2/3 marched upwards the Rappahanook river and attack Lee's rear. But this plan foiled as the Lee sent troops to reinforce his left flank (as now his right flank is against lesser numbers). As the Union has to cross the river and get mobilized, Lee's troops have the upper hands.
Gettysburg. The Union was repelled back to the Cemetery Hill, risking encirclement, in Day 1. Day 2 witnessed the legendary Confederate attacks on Peach Orchard, Wheatfield and Devil's Den led by General Longstreet. Had they won over these key places, they would emerge victorious but the Union held on. The Union might arrange themselves into a fishhook formation to entice the Confederates to attack their left flank. The Union covered their left flank and fortify the Little Round Top. The Union could crush the retreating Confederates had not General Meade ordered rest.
Battle of Chattanooga. After Union's defeat at Chickamauga, they were besieged at Chattanooga. Grant was given command and successfully emerged the victor in this battle. Here also the largest charge, at the Battle of Missionary Ridge contrary to the more widely known yet wrong Pickett's charge.
The demise of the South can be contributed to Grant and Sherman's military victories alongside with other factors. The Southern economy was collapsing and consumer goods were becoming more scarce. Numbers of able bodied soldiers were also dwindling after the Union ended the prisoner exchange program in 1863.
Lee and the Confederate government flee the capital and tried to reinstate the government at Danville, Virginia. But when the supply train of the fleeing Lee was captured by the Union, both sides knew that the end is coming.
Causes of the Civil War: expansion of slavery into the newly acquired state, not to end it. Southern Economy are defined by cash crops manned by slaves, does not have the manufacturing capability of the North. Newly acquired territories, brought in by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Mexican War sparked the debate on the question of slavery. The South invoked the 10th Amendment which expressly mentioned that those power not delegated to the federal government, must be left to the state.
The direct cause for the secession would be the looming victory of Abraham Lincoln, who is an avid opponent of slavery and backed by many vocal abolitionists. Losing their last straw after he won the election, South Carolina was the first state to declare secession.
The first battle signalling the start of Civil War was the siege of Union's Fort Sumter, ending with its surrender.
The Anaconda Plan was designed to hurt the South economically, done by blockading the South by land and sea. Its goals were to prevent the South from selling their cotton or buying war material overseas. While the South possessed no navy at all, the Union's navy proved to be too small too effectively blockade the large Southern shoreline.
The First Battle of Bull Run. Union possessed the numbers but the soldiers are too inexperienced. The move to victory was not from difficult maneuvers, as both sides failed to do so, but from flanking and crushing the opponent's moral. Union General McDowell caught on this, and advanced his troops with the intent of attacking the Confederate left, and this worked well as their opponents had to retreat and hold to their dear position at the Henry Hill. But the arrival of General Johnston outflanking the Union far left, causing massive routing and fleeing.
The Battle of Shiloh, again proving that ouflanking and surprise attacks trumps difficult maneuvering. The Confederate Johnston attacked in the night before the Union Army of Grant and Buell combined, resulting heavy Union losses. And Grant repayed this by a sudden morning attack, to a totally unprepared Beauregard who decided to wait until morning. By the end of the day, the Union captured most of the lands they lost previously and the Confederate retreated to Corinth. The consecutive winnings at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh showed a promising start in the western front of the war.
Peninsular Campaign. The idea was brilliant, to transport the Army of the Potomac to the peninsular tip of the James River and marched north. But Lee's tactics and McClellan hesistancy turned the campaign down.
Second Bull Run. Union General Pope marched forward to meet Jackson's troops which he taught to be retreating, only to be outflanked on his left sideby 30,000 men led by Lee and Longstreet.
Antietam. As the soldiers gained experienced, this allow the commanders to field more elaborate attack plan. A combined attack by Hooker, Mansfield and Sumner nearly devastated the Confederates' left, led by Jackson. The Union pushed forward and the Confederates almost eliminated if McClellan, with his usual overcautious attitude, hadn't decided to rest.
Chancellorsville. In order to dislodge the Confederates from Fredericksburg, Union general Hooker divided its force with 2/3 marched upwards the Rappahanook river and attack Lee's rear. But this plan foiled as the Lee sent troops to reinforce his left flank (as now his right flank is against lesser numbers). As the Union has to cross the river and get mobilized, Lee's troops have the upper hands.
Gettysburg. The Union was repelled back to the Cemetery Hill, risking encirclement, in Day 1. Day 2 witnessed the legendary Confederate attacks on Peach Orchard, Wheatfield and Devil's Den led by General Longstreet. Had they won over these key places, they would emerge victorious but the Union held on. The Union might arrange themselves into a fishhook formation to entice the Confederates to attack their left flank. The Union covered their left flank and fortify the Little Round Top. The Union could crush the retreating Confederates had not General Meade ordered rest.
Battle of Chattanooga. After Union's defeat at Chickamauga, they were besieged at Chattanooga. Grant was given command and successfully emerged the victor in this battle. Here also the largest charge, at the Battle of Missionary Ridge contrary to the more widely known yet wrong Pickett's charge.
The demise of the South can be contributed to Grant and Sherman's military victories alongside with other factors. The Southern economy was collapsing and consumer goods were becoming more scarce. Numbers of able bodied soldiers were also dwindling after the Union ended the prisoner exchange program in 1863.
Lee and the Confederate government flee the capital and tried to reinstate the government at Danville, Virginia. But when the supply train of the fleeing Lee was captured by the Union, both sides knew that the end is coming.
March 19, 2015
What a great way to learn more about the Civil War. Easy to read and understand.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews