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The Chickamauga Campaign (Volume 2)
From mid-August to mid-September 1863, Union major general William S. Rosecrans’s Army of the Cumberland maneuvered from Tennessee to north Georgia in a bid to rout Confederate general Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee and blaze the way for further Union advances. Meanwhile, Confederate reinforcements bolstered the numbers of the Army of Tennessee, and by the time the two armies met at the Battle of Chickamauga, in northern Georgia, the Confederates had gained numerical superiority. Although the Confederacy won its only major victory west of the Appalachians, it failed to achieve the truly decisive results many high-ranking Confederates expected. In The Chickamauga Campaign,Steven E. Woodworth assembles eight thought-provoking new essays from an impressive group of authors to offer new insight into the complex reasons for this substantial, yet ultimately barren, Confederate victory. This broad collection covers every angle of the campaign, from its prelude to its denouement, from the points of view of key players of all ranks on both sides. In addition to analyzing the actions taken by Union leaders Thomas L. Crittenden, Alexander McCook, and James S. Negley, and Confederate commanders Braxton Bragg, Patrick Cleburne, Daniel Harvey Hill, Thomas C. Hindman, James Longstreet, and Alexander P. Stewart, the book probes the campaign’s impact on morale in the North and South, and concludes with an essay on the campaign’s place in Civil War memory. The final essay pays particular attention to Union veteran Henry Van Ness Boynton, the founder and developer of Chickamauga and Chattanooga State Military Park, whose achievements helped shape how the campaign would be remembered.This second volume in the Civil War Campaigns in the Heartland seriesprovides a profound understanding of the campaign’s details as well as its significance to Civil War history. John R. LundbergAlexander MendozaDavid PowellEthan S. RafuseWilliam G. RobertsonTimothy B. SmithLee WhiteSteven E. Woodworth
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Steven E. Woodworth
78 books24 followersCurrently Professor of History at Texas Christian University, Steven E. Woodworth has written several books about the Western Theater of the American Civil War.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 18, 2021
Essays On Chickamauga
Fought on September 19-20, 1863, near Chickamauga Creek in northern Georgia, the Battle of Chickamauga was the last major victory of the South in the Civil War and the first victory of its much-beleaguered Army of Tennessee. The Army of Tennessee was commanded by General Braxton Bragg, unpopular among the troops and the subject of a great deal of infighting among his subordinate generals. General William Rosecrans commanded the Union Army of the Cumberland, but he was dismissed after the near-disastrous battle. Chickamauga is best remembered for the heroics of Union General George Thomas. After Longsteet had breached the right of the Union line, Thomas protected the retreating army by his stand on the Union left at Snodgrass Hill. He became known forever as the "Rock of Chickamauga".
The Civil War in the West frequently gets less attention than the eastern theater. To remedy this situation, Steve Woodworth, a Professor of History at Texas Christian University and a prolific writer on the Civil War, is editing a series of books consisting of essays by scholars of the major events in the western theater. The first book on the Shiloh campaign appeared last year. The Shiloh Campaign (Civil War Campaigns in the Heartland) This book on Chickamauga is the second of the series and consists of eight detailed essays by as many different writers on aspects of the Chickamauga campaign. The book also includes a short background essay by Woodworth together with a set of serviceable maps.
Although I learned a great deal about Chickamauga from this book, many of the essays are limited in focus and specialized. They will have their greatest appeal for readers with a special interest in the Chickamauga Campaign who have already read a great deal about it. Thus, although Thomas's stand must be at the center of any discussion of Chickamauga, none of the essays in this book focus on it. Instead, the essays seem to presuppose the reader's knowledge of it. There surely is much to be said about Thomas even in a book about Chickamauga written for knowledgeable readers. Similarly, there is little in this book about the aftermath of the Battle. I would have been interested in an essay discussing whether a more aggressive pursuit of the Union Army could have been successfully mounted. The collection of essays suffers from a lack of focus. They mirror the Battle of Chickamauga itself in their shifting, piecemeal, and confused character.
With that said, the essays offer interesting perspectives on Chickamauga. The lengthy opening essay by Ethan Rafuse "In the Shadow of the Rock" discusses the activities of the other Corps commanders of the Army of the Cumberland, McCook and Crittenden. It follows their activities throughout the campaign and thus might serve as an overview of the battle for those readers unfamiliar with it. Stephen Woodworth's own contribution, discusses the Army of Tennessee's lost opportunity at McClemore's Cove on September 10 and 11, 1863. Rosecrans had divided his forces in the mountain passes and Bragg had the opportunity to attack and destroy the Union Army in detail. Bragg realized this but his efforts failed. Woodworth explores the reasons for this lost Confederate opportunity.
Five of the essays involve the activities of specific generals. Alexander Mendoza's essay on Confederate General D.H.Hill also explores McClemore Cove and discusses as well Hill's failure to follow Bragg's orders on the second day of the Battle of Chickamauga. Hill was among a group of senior officers who disapproved of Bragg and whose conduct during his tenure verged on insubordination. Lee White's essay on Confederate General A.P. Stewart focuses upon an attack on the Union center on September 19, a high point of Confederate leadership during the confused battle. John Lundberg's essay discusses the gifted Confederate General Pat Cleburne who had the misfortune of leading a rare night attack on the Union lines the evening of September 19. David Powell's essay "Negley at Horseshoe Ridge" tells the story of a Union Commander who retreated precipitously and ignominiously during the course of Thomas's defense. And William Robertson's essay "Bull of the Woods" takes a critical and measured look at James Longstreet's role in the battle. He concludes that Longstreet frequently is given more credit for the Confederate victory at Chickamauga than he deserves.
The book's final essay "Henry Van Ness Boynton and Chickamauga" by Timothy Smith deals with the commemoration of the battle. Boynton served under Thomas at Chickamauga and went on to a career as a journalist. In the late 1880's he became convinced of the importance of establishing a national military park at Chickamauga and worked tirelessly towards that end. The establishment of the Park became a joint project of former soldiers from both sides as Chickamauga became a model for parks established at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Gettysburg.
This book will appeal to readers with a strong background and interest in Chickamauga and the Civil War in the West. I am looking forward to further volumes in the "Civil War in the Heartland" series.
Robin Friedman
Fought on September 19-20, 1863, near Chickamauga Creek in northern Georgia, the Battle of Chickamauga was the last major victory of the South in the Civil War and the first victory of its much-beleaguered Army of Tennessee. The Army of Tennessee was commanded by General Braxton Bragg, unpopular among the troops and the subject of a great deal of infighting among his subordinate generals. General William Rosecrans commanded the Union Army of the Cumberland, but he was dismissed after the near-disastrous battle. Chickamauga is best remembered for the heroics of Union General George Thomas. After Longsteet had breached the right of the Union line, Thomas protected the retreating army by his stand on the Union left at Snodgrass Hill. He became known forever as the "Rock of Chickamauga".
The Civil War in the West frequently gets less attention than the eastern theater. To remedy this situation, Steve Woodworth, a Professor of History at Texas Christian University and a prolific writer on the Civil War, is editing a series of books consisting of essays by scholars of the major events in the western theater. The first book on the Shiloh campaign appeared last year. The Shiloh Campaign (Civil War Campaigns in the Heartland) This book on Chickamauga is the second of the series and consists of eight detailed essays by as many different writers on aspects of the Chickamauga campaign. The book also includes a short background essay by Woodworth together with a set of serviceable maps.
Although I learned a great deal about Chickamauga from this book, many of the essays are limited in focus and specialized. They will have their greatest appeal for readers with a special interest in the Chickamauga Campaign who have already read a great deal about it. Thus, although Thomas's stand must be at the center of any discussion of Chickamauga, none of the essays in this book focus on it. Instead, the essays seem to presuppose the reader's knowledge of it. There surely is much to be said about Thomas even in a book about Chickamauga written for knowledgeable readers. Similarly, there is little in this book about the aftermath of the Battle. I would have been interested in an essay discussing whether a more aggressive pursuit of the Union Army could have been successfully mounted. The collection of essays suffers from a lack of focus. They mirror the Battle of Chickamauga itself in their shifting, piecemeal, and confused character.
With that said, the essays offer interesting perspectives on Chickamauga. The lengthy opening essay by Ethan Rafuse "In the Shadow of the Rock" discusses the activities of the other Corps commanders of the Army of the Cumberland, McCook and Crittenden. It follows their activities throughout the campaign and thus might serve as an overview of the battle for those readers unfamiliar with it. Stephen Woodworth's own contribution, discusses the Army of Tennessee's lost opportunity at McClemore's Cove on September 10 and 11, 1863. Rosecrans had divided his forces in the mountain passes and Bragg had the opportunity to attack and destroy the Union Army in detail. Bragg realized this but his efforts failed. Woodworth explores the reasons for this lost Confederate opportunity.
Five of the essays involve the activities of specific generals. Alexander Mendoza's essay on Confederate General D.H.Hill also explores McClemore Cove and discusses as well Hill's failure to follow Bragg's orders on the second day of the Battle of Chickamauga. Hill was among a group of senior officers who disapproved of Bragg and whose conduct during his tenure verged on insubordination. Lee White's essay on Confederate General A.P. Stewart focuses upon an attack on the Union center on September 19, a high point of Confederate leadership during the confused battle. John Lundberg's essay discusses the gifted Confederate General Pat Cleburne who had the misfortune of leading a rare night attack on the Union lines the evening of September 19. David Powell's essay "Negley at Horseshoe Ridge" tells the story of a Union Commander who retreated precipitously and ignominiously during the course of Thomas's defense. And William Robertson's essay "Bull of the Woods" takes a critical and measured look at James Longstreet's role in the battle. He concludes that Longstreet frequently is given more credit for the Confederate victory at Chickamauga than he deserves.
The book's final essay "Henry Van Ness Boynton and Chickamauga" by Timothy Smith deals with the commemoration of the battle. Boynton served under Thomas at Chickamauga and went on to a career as a journalist. In the late 1880's he became convinced of the importance of establishing a national military park at Chickamauga and worked tirelessly towards that end. The establishment of the Park became a joint project of former soldiers from both sides as Chickamauga became a model for parks established at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Gettysburg.
This book will appeal to readers with a strong background and interest in Chickamauga and the Civil War in the West. I am looking forward to further volumes in the "Civil War in the Heartland" series.
Robin Friedman
November 25, 2020
Interesting series of essays about different facets of the battle and the personalities who led (or didn't lead) the armies.
May 23, 2010
Steven Woodworth has edited an interesting volume on the Chickamauga campaign. Chickamauga was a bloody battle, coming after Braxton Bragg's forces had been maneuvered out of Tennessee, including Chattanooga, by William Rosecrans.
The book has eight chapters, authored by experts in the Civil War. I'll note some illustrative chapters here. The first focuses on two corps commanders of Rosecrans' forces--Thomas Crittendon and Alexander McCook. Ethan Rafuse does a nice job discussing their leadership. At Chickamauga, both came to grief, but Rafuse notes that there were important differences between the two. The Confederate forces had a glorious opportunity to wreck a part of General George Thomas' corps in Mclemore's Cove. Steven Woodworth's chapter discusses how the dysfunction in Bragg's officer corps doomed a promising offensive thrust. Indeed, Bragg and his generals experienced their own Civil War, with much bickering, fighting, and sometimes almost insubordination. And the failure here was one such manifestation of the toxic climate within the army. Alexander Mendoza, in the next chapter, follows up with an examination of one of Bragg's "bad boys," the acerbic D. H. Hill. Hill, by my reading, was a capable commander. However, his acerbic nature often created problems. At Chickamauga, this was displayed in spades--representing yet another example of the dysfunction in Bragg's army.
One bright spot? General Stewart's work. At this time, A.. Stewart was a division commander and had been reliable in prior battles. Just so, at Chickamauga, he performed well--not something that a lot of Bragg's generals could say over the bloody two days of fighting. And what of James Longstreet, Robert E. Lee's "old war horse"? The chapter by William Robertson takes a harsh view of Longstreet. Some have romanticized Longstreet at Chickamauga (using depth in formation to pierce the Union line); some have vilified him (he took arms against Bragg later on). This chapter argued that he did not use the attack in depth and then flailed away futilely at Thomas' position. Indeed, the best one can say of Longstreet is that even if his original attack was inspired, his later assaults on Thomas were not effective.
All in all, an interesting volume. It illuminates various aspects of the battle. While not all chapters are at the same level, as a whole, the book works pretty well.
The book has eight chapters, authored by experts in the Civil War. I'll note some illustrative chapters here. The first focuses on two corps commanders of Rosecrans' forces--Thomas Crittendon and Alexander McCook. Ethan Rafuse does a nice job discussing their leadership. At Chickamauga, both came to grief, but Rafuse notes that there were important differences between the two. The Confederate forces had a glorious opportunity to wreck a part of General George Thomas' corps in Mclemore's Cove. Steven Woodworth's chapter discusses how the dysfunction in Bragg's officer corps doomed a promising offensive thrust. Indeed, Bragg and his generals experienced their own Civil War, with much bickering, fighting, and sometimes almost insubordination. And the failure here was one such manifestation of the toxic climate within the army. Alexander Mendoza, in the next chapter, follows up with an examination of one of Bragg's "bad boys," the acerbic D. H. Hill. Hill, by my reading, was a capable commander. However, his acerbic nature often created problems. At Chickamauga, this was displayed in spades--representing yet another example of the dysfunction in Bragg's army.
One bright spot? General Stewart's work. At this time, A.. Stewart was a division commander and had been reliable in prior battles. Just so, at Chickamauga, he performed well--not something that a lot of Bragg's generals could say over the bloody two days of fighting. And what of James Longstreet, Robert E. Lee's "old war horse"? The chapter by William Robertson takes a harsh view of Longstreet. Some have romanticized Longstreet at Chickamauga (using depth in formation to pierce the Union line); some have vilified him (he took arms against Bragg later on). This chapter argued that he did not use the attack in depth and then flailed away futilely at Thomas' position. Indeed, the best one can say of Longstreet is that even if his original attack was inspired, his later assaults on Thomas were not effective.
All in all, an interesting volume. It illuminates various aspects of the battle. While not all chapters are at the same level, as a whole, the book works pretty well.
October 8, 2012
Another entry in the "Civil War Campaigns in the Heartland" essay compilation series, a western theater counterpart to Gary Gallagher's series.
This is a fairly solid, if unspectacular, collection. Essay topics in this volume:
-Alexander McCook & Thomas Crittenden
-Thomas Hindman & the botched operations in McLemore's Cove
-DH Hill
-AP Stewart
-Cleburne's night attack
-Longstreet
-Negley
-Henry Van Ness Boynton
The essay about Stewart is a bit misleading in its title as it is mostly a tactical level look at his division, rather than about the general and his decisions. The Boynton essay is an biographical sketch of the NMP's founder which compliment's an essay in the Chattanooga campaign essays (by the same author) about the formation of the park itself. The essay on Longstreet is probably my favorite, but it is hard to pick a standout entry. Whereas many essay volumes tend to be very swingy with a few great essays and a few snoozers, all eight essays here seem solid but unspectacular.
An interesting aspect of this volume is that the focus of most of the essays are negative: McCook, Hindman, Hill, Longstreet, and Negley are all criticized for their performances; Cleburne's attack is criticized as well, although in regards to it being ordered at all rather than Cleburne's execution of that attack.
This is a fairly solid, if unspectacular, collection. Essay topics in this volume:
-Alexander McCook & Thomas Crittenden
-Thomas Hindman & the botched operations in McLemore's Cove
-DH Hill
-AP Stewart
-Cleburne's night attack
-Longstreet
-Negley
-Henry Van Ness Boynton
The essay about Stewart is a bit misleading in its title as it is mostly a tactical level look at his division, rather than about the general and his decisions. The Boynton essay is an biographical sketch of the NMP's founder which compliment's an essay in the Chattanooga campaign essays (by the same author) about the formation of the park itself. The essay on Longstreet is probably my favorite, but it is hard to pick a standout entry. Whereas many essay volumes tend to be very swingy with a few great essays and a few snoozers, all eight essays here seem solid but unspectacular.
An interesting aspect of this volume is that the focus of most of the essays are negative: McCook, Hindman, Hill, Longstreet, and Negley are all criticized for their performances; Cleburne's attack is criticized as well, although in regards to it being ordered at all rather than Cleburne's execution of that attack.
January 20, 2014
Awesome book love the chapter on A.P. Stewart
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews