Battle of Monroe's Crossroads and the Civil War's Final Campaign [Hardcover]

Eric J. Wittenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2006

The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads, fought March 10, 1865, was one of most important but least known engagements of William T. Sherman's Carolinas Campaign. Confederate cavalry, led by Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton and Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, launched a savage surprise attack on the sleeping camp of Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, Sherman's cavalry chief. After three hours of some of the toughest cavalry fighting of the entire Civil War, Hampton broke off and withdrew. His attack, however, had stopped Kilpatrick's advance and bought another precious day for Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee to evacuate his command from Fayetteville. This, in turn, permitted Hardee to join the command of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and set the stage for the climactic Battle of Bentonville nine days later.

Noted Civil War author Eric Wittenberg has written the first detailed tactical narrative of this important but long-forgotten battle, and places it in its proper context within the entire campaign. His study features 28 original maps and 50 illustrations. Finally, an author of renown has brought to vivid life this overlooked portion of the Carolinas Campaign.

Ohio Attorney Eric J. Wittenberg is a noted Civil War cavalry historian and the author of some dozen books and two dozens articles on the Civil War. His first book, "Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions," won the 1998 Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 366 pages
• Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932714170
• ISBN-13: 978-1932714173
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric J. Wittenberg is an award-winning Civil War historian. A native of southeastern Pennsylvania, Wittenberg focuses on Civil War cavalry operations. He is the author of more than 15 published books. He was educated at Dickinson College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and is a practicing attorney (someday, he might even get it right and get to stop practicing!). Wittenberg is a member of the Governor of Ohio's Advisory Commission on the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and also serves as the vice president of the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation. He, his wife Susan, and their two silly golden retrievers live in Columbus, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Definitive Study, May 8, 2006

By 

Michael D. Peters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of Monroe's Crossroads and the Civil War's Final Campaign (Hardcover)

Those familiar with the works of cavalry historian Eric Wittenberg know that each is the product of thorough research & sound analysis. He continues those traits in "The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads & the Civil War's Final Campaign." Previously unpublished primary sources & manuscripts make up a nice chunk of the book's 22-page bibliography. There are some 30 maps included. The footnotes, not the standard bland citations, are loaded with extra information & should be read after each corresponding chapter. The appendices are much more than filler copy. Included is a casualty list & 2 essays of which I am especially fond -- "Who was Judson Kilpatrick's Female Companion in March 1865?" & "What was Joseph Wheeler's Rank in March 1865?."

Nicknamed "Kilpatrick's Shirt-tail Skedaddle," the battle is so much more than the towering Hampton catching the diminutive Kilpatrick with his pants down. Wittenberg has corrected that perception with an in-depth tactical study which both the casual student & learned scholar will find educational & entertaining.

Because of its location, among the secure confines of Fort Bragg, Monroe's Crossroads is the most pristine, yet least visited of CW battlefields. Therefore, few will ever get the opportunity to walk the terrain. There is an alternative -- a hammock, a pitcher of sweet tea & a weekend reading "The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads & the Civil War's Final Campaign."

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent just excellent, May 10, 2006

By 

James W. Durney (Tampa Bay area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Battle of Monroe's Crossroads and the Civil War's Final Campaign (Hardcover)

Eric Wittenberg solidifies his standing as our best Civil War Cavalry author by continuing to produce high quality, well-researched, readable histories that are both informative and fun. Using Savas Beatie as his publisher is a "Dream Team" for enthusiasts. Maps, maps and more maps ensure that you will never be lost and will instantly understand what retaking the guns means. The list of illustrations is one and a half pages; the list of maps is two and a half pages. Clearly stating that both the author and publisher understand what is nice, illustrations and what is necessary, maps. Since most of us will never get into Fort Bragg to walk the battle field, the maps substitute nicely keeping us orientated and in position.

The book is well researched, footnoted and complete within the time we are considering. The confrontation between Hampton and Kilpatrick outside the Bennett home, capture the men, their feelings and the time. It provides a logical beginning to the story, even if it occurs at the end. While presenting the reader with clear concise portraits of the major figures, the supporting cast is not ignored. The strengths and weakness of each Cavalry force is clearly described. This introduction gives us the needed background to understand the depth of feeling and desperation that contributes to the battle.

Weather and terrain conspire to hinder both sides building a waterlogged hell for man and beast. This produces a major impact on the campaign and the battle, becoming a story within the story. J.E. Johnston's army must cross over the Cape Fear River, Hampton's cavalry is trying to screen this movement and delay Sherman's army. Judson Kilpatrick, commanding Sherman's cavalry almost by default, is trying to get around Hampton while protecting Sherman's foraging parties and supply trains.

Kilpatrick allows his cavalry to spread out, become badly separated and fails to protect the approaches to the camps. Wade Hampton and Joe Wheeler size an opportunity and attack a portion of Kilpatrick's command. The resulting battle is at close quarters, fought by veterans is a stand up fight with neither side stepping back. Eric Wittenberg details what the commanders do right; wrong and where they lose control. This results in an understandable sew-saw battle narrative as first one side and than the other attacks. Here the detailed maps are as valuable as the writing. Working together, the reader never gets lost always using one to support the other.

This is more than a battle book as the battle is placed within the context of the campaign and the war. This placement, allows us the answer the very complex question; "Who won?" The last chapters cover the aftermath of the battle, what it did to and for Johnston & Sherman and give us a glimpse of the participant's later life. An Order of battle and detailed list of causalities complete the history of the battle.
Appendix C & D, answer a couple of questions that are not technically part of the battle but relate to it. Both provide us with Human Interests items and make the story personal and complete. One deals with who was the woman in Kilpatrick's HQ and the other with "Fighting" Joe Wheeler's rank.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful book!, May 4, 2006

By 

J. Petruzzi (Brockway, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of Monroe's Crossroads and the Civil War's Final Campaign (Hardcover)

A terrific book on a long-forgotten battle that has deserved such a scholarly treatment for a long time. Nestled among the artillery drop zones of Ft. Bragg, and all but inaccessible to the general public, the Monroe's Crossroads battlefield is a great lesson in cavalry tactics. For those who enjoy treatments of actions during the last few weeks of the war, and especially one on a segment of Sherman's final campaign that has not been told before, you must get this book. Written by Wittenberg, one of today's best scholars of Civil War cavalry actions and personalities, this book is written extremely well. It's as thorough as it can get, and will long stand as the definitive tome on this battle. And if you want to see another aspect of the career of Judson Kilpatrick, one of the war's most controversial figures, this book is the answer. Lots of terrific maps, photos of every major player, completely footnoted, and a full bibliography replete with obscure primary sources round out this work. I also see that the book is an alternate selection for the History Book Club, and has received a glowing endorsement by none other than William C. "Jack" Davis. Get it, read it, and enjoy. This is the way history should be written and analyzed.