Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

A. Wilson Greene (Author), Richard J. Sommers (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2000

25 original maps 36 photos and illustrations 6 x 9

* Introduction by award-winning Petersburg historian Richard J. Sommers
* Based on manuscript sources and extensive research

Six large-scale battles from late March through April 2, 1865, were the culmination of more than nine months of bitter and continuous warfare between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.

The fighting climaxed in the decisive breakthrough by the Union Sixth Corps on April 2, just six miles southwest of Petersburg. This Federal victory forced Lee to evacuate Petersburg and Richmond that night, and to surrender his army just one week later.

Will Greene, executive director of Pamplin Historical Park, which preserves the Breakthrough Battlefield, places these long-neglected battles in strategic context while providing the first tactically-detailed account of the combat on April 2, 1865. A. Wilson Greene is also the author of Whatever You Resolve to Be, a collection of essays on Stonewall Jackson.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (July 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882810481
• ISBN-13: 978-1882810482
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a great book on the final days of Petersburg!, December 6, 2000

By 

John Nicholas (Killeen, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion (Hardcover)

Excellent book! If you've liked Gordon Rhea's books on the Overland Campaign then you'll want to add this to your collection. Wilson Greene writes that the final battles of the Petersburg Campaign were not the "done deals" as most Civil War students seem to think. Even though we know the eventual outcome, the story itself is very suspenseful. Even the footnotes provide valuable information on modern day roads and other books I might have overlooked. The book is filled with details,(including many excellent maps), but never bogs down. I've lived in the Petersburg area for several years and this book has given me a new found appreciation for the area and its history.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For Any Serious Civil War Historian, December 15, 2000

By 

John E. Buchanan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion (Hardcover)

Will Greene's latest work is absolutely spectacular. He addresses a chapter of the Eastern Theater which has been glossed over for years. Too many people jump from the Crater to Appomattox without taking into account the long and difficult maneuver campaigning which occurred during the intervening 9 months. Greene addresses this in exceptional fashion with in- depth discussion of each of the events and how it impacted on the Army of the Potomac's Sixth Corps' preparations for the culmionating assult on April 2, 1865. It is exceptionally well researched and written and a delight to read. The notations are very illuminating and provide the reader an explanation of where the 1865 battlefield fits on the road networks of 2000. A great read and a must have.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Final Campaign That Started the Retreat to Appomatox, August 16, 2007

By 

Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breaking the Backbone of the Rebellion (Hardcover)

An excellent study on the final union thrusts at Lee's defenses at Petersburg that culminate not just with Sheridan and Warren's combined collapse of Picket at Five Forks but the final break through with the VI corps punching a hole in A. P. Hill's defenses that virtually cause a hemorrhage in the Petersburg defenses only staved off by the heroic defenses at Fort Gregg and a line of artillery giving time for Lee to organize the final retreat. Petersburg was a very complicated campaign that contains a series of modest to large battles as Grant constantly moves forces west to cut off supplies and avenues of escape. As Greene describes well, Lee constantly parried with creative engineering and counter attacks. Greene provides a detailed account of all these battles that stretched over one time farms and wilderness outside of Petersburg. Petersburg was a very complicated campaign and just driving the roads today around Petersburg to some of these still remote sites makes you appreciate the effort of Greene's work. The final break through is at the center of Pamplin Historical Park for the Civil War Soldier where Greene is the Chief historian and CFO. Read the book then visit Pamplin Park, and see the extraordinary well preserved trenches where the final break through occurred and walk the trail that leads to the Union jump off point and then follow it right into the Confederate trenches where it leads right to the unique vulnerable spot of the line where the union attack punched through. It is well worth seeing park with its living history, historic headquarters, outdoor exhibits and a great modern museum. An excellent book for the serious Civil War student.