Customer Reviews

The Class of 1846: From West Point to Appomattox : Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan and Their Brothers

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book to be a very enjoyable book to read and if helped fill in a few spaces left about the great names of the Civil War before they became Generals. I have always enjoy reading accounts of the war with Mexico and seeing how the future enemies of the American Civil War fought together, saved each others lives on occassions and learnt the common lessons of war. This is a very interesting and well presented account although I found the battle scenes lacking in depth but I would suppose that was not the authors main focus but more on the people involved. I think it may have helped to have added a few maps of the fighting in Mexico and the Valley as if you have no prior knowledge of these areas you really do not appreciate the efforts involved in moving from one point to another. Overall this is a decent book and most people should enjoy immersing themselves in this bit of history.

Although most of the information in this book is not new, it is presented with such flair that it is hard to put down. From time to time, I was offput by Waugh's determination to go into excruciating detail on some battles. For example, did the anger of the Union cook in Charleston harbor do anything for the Ft. Sumter issue? (If I were to indicate that perhaps it was nonetheless humorous in those dark and sad times, I would feel insensitive.) Using so much print here and throughout, he omitted other battles that could have added to his writing laurels. Nonetheless, I felt the anguish of our country's patriots, on both sides of the rifles. Having myself completed a military career, I tried to put myself in their shoes of yesteryear. How I would have cried having to fire upon those with whom I bonded in aviation cadets. And with whom I still stay in touch, these 45 years later. Or if some of my family, i.e., parents, sister, or children, had chosen to fly a different flag than mine. On the other hand, I relished Waugh's description of General Tom Jackson revving back and forth in Virginia time and time again. We've lived in the metropolitan area of Washington, DC for many years, and traveled the length of Virginia several times. How exciting to read about the names of so many places that we have driven past at least a dozen times enroute to our family home in Mississippi, yet another Confederate stronghold. Having visited Gettysburg's battlefield provided us with another sense of our nation's anguish. This book provides so many moments of recall, that I could continue on, but I would never be able to capture the spirit of that era that Waugh has so generously shared with us. Clearly, this book will rank alongside the top notch Catton works of the Civil War.

This is a fascinating perspective on the Civil War from the perspective of one class at West Point that ultimtely provided many officers who ended up serving together in the Mexican war and the Indian wars but eventually served on different sides in the Civil War, usually depending on where they originally came from. This is one of the most interesting historical books ever published about the Civil War that is avidly read by both Southerners and Northerners.

An in depth review of the character and abilities of these West Point cadets. From young men through marriages, death and the Civil War these men are reviewed not only as soldiers but as human beings. Stonewall Jackson and George McClellan are followed all the way from West Point through the Mexican War, Indian Wars to the Civil War. Many others from the 1846 class are reviewed also. Much of their personal lives are revealed as you get know and understand the human beings along with the soldiers.

Easy to read and follow. Difficult to put down.

John Waugh has done a masterful job of intertwining the bittersweet lives of these famous civil war classmates. Your heart goes out to the tragedy of Gen. George McClellan, a man frustrated with the desire to protect his men and yet always tentative in the approach to battle. These men's experiences are intimately tied together in ways that only freshen one's understanding of the Civil War. A must read.

This is a standard rendition of two primary Civil War generals: Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and George McClelland. In this portion of the book Waugh tells us what we already know about George, that while he was always at the head of the class moving up the ranks, he failed miserably once at the top. Similarly, Stonewall, no doubt as crazy as a loon, became the Civil War's finest and best tactician produced by either side.

Focusing as he does on the West Point graduating class of 1846, the year the War with Mexico was initiated, we meet numerous men who studied together and fight together in the Mexican War, the Indian Wars, the Mormon War and, in the climax of their military lives, against each other, in the Civil War.

Having gone through school together for 4 years, these men competed against each other for most of their adult lives. But as the competitions were intense, the personal relationships were even closer. Cadmus Wilcox was Sam Grant's best man; James Longstreet was also in the wedding party. George McClelland and Robert E. Lee served together on Winfield Scott's staff. Gideon Pillow and John B. Magruder brevet a youthful Tom Jackson at Chapultepec. Clarendon Williams, Jackson's graduation day dancing partner, dies in the Navaho war. Lee, George Thomas, George Stoneman, John Bell Hood and Albert Sidney Johnson serve for 6 years together in Texas in the US Second Cavalry. Lewis Armistead, William T. Sherman and Winfield Hancock serve together in California.

John Waugh has produced a unique view of the Civil War, through the eyes of men who, while they fought against each other with all the skill they possessed, fought against comrades, close friends and former classmates who at times, just couldn't have seemed like the enemy.

I found Waugh's book to be an interesting read, delightfully written and well researched. It is a must read for any person interested in the civil war as it illuminates the early lives of many key players. This book gave me a clearer understanding of how men like Thomas Jackson developed. The future Stonewall is evident in the young Tom, who fought his way up the rankings at West Point and stood bravely under fire in Mexico. Anyone who likes to read history or who wishes to understand more about the men who led the armies of both the north and south should read this book. I couldn't put it down.

Waugh takes a unique approach to Civil War story telling. He focuses on graduates of West Point's Class of 1846. Those school boys would face the normal rigors and competition of a quality institution unaware that glory, ignominy, death and mortal competition with their class mates would be their fate.

That class produced a score of Civil War generals, among them McClellan, Jackson, Stoneman, A.P. Hill and Pickett. This book is fascinating in tracing their backgrounds, school experiences, Mexican-American War service and subsequent Civil War triumphs and tragedies. Of particular interest in Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson's story -- the odd general was also an odd young man who followed his own inner light.

Interesting, perceptive and covers background information not usually found in even the most thorough histories of the war's battles.

This is one of the best Civil War books, I've ever read. John Waugh brings so many of our Civil war Generals, both North and South, back to life. We learn so many interesting details about their lives at West Point. This book had me laughing, with their antics at West Point, it rather reminded me of my own "boot Camp" life in the military 25 years ago. I can still see Thomas J. "StoneWall" Jackson, sweating at the blackboard, to try and solve problems,walking at the same pace, even when the others hurry to get out of the rain. The Fight that almost broke out, in the Church at West Point, between two future leaders.

One of the things, John Waugh does, is very emotionally grab you by the throat, as he describes StoneWall Jacksons dying, his wifes and Lee's reaction, and the funeral. I literally, had to put the book down and wipe the tears from my eyes. I've read about this incident, many times before, but Waughs version, really got to me.
McClellan, A.P.Hill, Pickett, Wilcox, Stoneman, Darius Couch, Sturgis and many others are brought to life.

I have so many Civil War books to read, but I certainly want to read this book again, in the future.

If you're a real Civil War Buff, you owe it to yourself to read this. To me, it was as good as Shelby Foote.

Very enjoyable book, fills in the early relationships between the famous officers of the Civil War. Pickett's charge brought tears to my eyes.