The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 (Military Campaigns of the Civil War) [Hardcover]

Gary W. Gallagher (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Military Campaigns of the Civil War | Publication Date: April 6, 2006

Generally regarded as the most important of the Civil War campaigns conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, that of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. The armies of Philip H. Sheridan and Jubal A. Early contended for immense stakes. Beyond the agricultural bounty and the boost in morale to be gained with a victory, events in the Valley would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass.

The eleven essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors examine strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The authors do not always agree with one another, but, taken together, their essays highlight important connections between the home front and the battlefield, as well as ways in which military affairs, civilian experiences, and politics played off one another during the campaign.

Contributors:
William W. Bergen, Charlottesville, Virginia
Keith S. Bohannon, State University of West Georgia
Andre M. Fleche, University of Virginia
Gary W. Gallagher, University of Virginia
Joseph T. Glatthaar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Robert E. L. Krick, Richmond, Virginia
Robert K. Krick, Fredericksburg, Virginia
William J. Miller, Churchville, Virginia
Aaron Sheehan-Dean, University of North Florida
William G. Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joan Waugh, University of California, Los Angeles

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Provides perspective on a variety of military, political and social issues related to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864."
-- The Washington Times

"This book is of real interest. The writing is good, the research strong."
— Louisiana History

"A great compilation of essays dealing with the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. . . . Original and thoroughly researched. . . . Provide[s] historians and buffs alike with new material to consider when examining the Civil War."
-- Historian

"The delight found in these essays glimmers in the rummaging eye. . . . Gallagher's bazaar of scholars, mature and youthful, academic and independent, is open to a curious and treasure-hunting public."
-- Military History of the West

"Provide[s] historians and buffs alike with new material to consider when examining the Civil War."
-- Historian

"For scholars . . . the volume offers significant new studies. More general Civil War readers will find the essays . . . informative, engaging, and well-written."
-- Civil War History

"[The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864] will be of value to any student of the war."
-- Nymas Review

"A valuable book that is essential reading for anyone interested in the Valley Campaign of 1864."
-- Military Images

"An intelligent, readable collection of essays, the work fully meets the high standards of its predecessor volumes."
Gordon C. Rhea, author of Carrying the Flag: The Story of Private Charles Whilden, the Confederacy?s Most Unlikely Hero

From the Inside Flap

This collection of essays focuses on what is regarded as the longest and most important Civil War campaign in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, lasting over four months and taking more than 25,000 lives. The book consists of 11 essays by respected historians who reexamine assumptions about the campaign, its major figures (including Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early and Major Gen. Philip H. Sheridan), and its significance. The essays also highlight important connections between the home front and the battlefield, as well as the ways in which military affairs, civilian experiences, and politics played off one another during the campaign.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (April 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807830054
• ISBN-13: 978-0807830055
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another volume in a good series, June 12, 2006

By 

Colonel Moran - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 (Military Campaigns of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

This book of essays covers aspects of the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864. As is the case with all the volumes in this series, a number of military, social, and political issues are discussed. The essays are generally well-written and provide insights into some topics not evaluated in general histories of the campaign. Particularly good is the essay comparing the general performances of Sheridan and Early. One is left realizing that, given the resources available to each, Early actually did better than could have been expected and Sheridan made more errors than he should have. Worth the price of the entire volume, is the excellent biographical monograph about General Horatio Wright. This is the first attempt ever to provide a biographical sketch of this important but overlooked officer. The essay is balanced, well-researched, and very worthwhile to the serious student of this period.
This book is not for someone unfamiliar with this campaign but, as is the case with the rest of the series, is of value to the experienced Civil War reader.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Essays on the 1864 Confederate Collapse in the Valley: Early v. Sheridan, November 5, 2006

By 

Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 (Military Campaigns of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

Another one of Gallagher's collection of great essays of a campaign while touting the greatest historians on the subject. The authors in this case cover the 1864 Valley situation from Early's arrival to save Lynchburg to his run at Washington to Sheridan's final mobilizing drive that is momentarily derailed by Early's great shock attack at Cedar Creek that crushes the unprepared Federals. But of course, the Union's regrouping at Cedar and counter attack virtually destroys Early's army. The essays cover the key battles and strategies including the make up of Early, Sheridan and a respectful view of the not so flamboyant and thus unappreciated General Horatio Wright who held things together at Cedar Creek when Sheridan arrived on the field. The latter part of the book also includes the social effect the war had on its population particularly as the means to feed the Confederate war machine was destroyed as part of the grand union strategy. Early and the Confederate Army no doubt fought heroically enough to challenge the record of Stonewall; however, they were literally overwhelmed by numbers and better horses and equipment. Of course, once confident, Sheridan keeps the pressure on with his young lions, Custer, Merritt and Torbet. A grand example of that is Robert E. L. Krick's essay on the battle of Tom Brook between the Confederate and Union cavalry that is extremely one sided, resulting in a total crushing of the Confederate horse. It's amazing that the Confederates were able to reorganize and launch what was at first a highly successful attack at Cedar Creek 10 days later. This recovery and attack is a tribute to Early, who unfortunately used his infamous tongue lashing too harshly afterwards demonstrating one of his worst character flaws. The other great aspect of these talented authors is their research, which is so impeccable that they sort out the historical misrepresentations and get to the truth of the matter, albeit at the expense of some such as John Gordon, the great fighter and embellisher. The only negative, I wish there was a summary of the battles in date line fashion along with a map that showed where all the key battles were fought. I also wish the summary of the situation prior to Early's arrival included a discussion of General "Grumble" Jones battle of Piedmont where he lost his life trying to stop General Hunter's attack of the valley. As an additional note, these fine historians get together almost every summer and provide excellent tours of the valley, a treat worth considering.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice collection of essays on the 1864 Shenandoah Valley battles, April 21, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864 (Military Campaigns of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

This is an interesting collection of essays on the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864. Gary Gallagher has pulled together a set of essays that, even if they sometimes contend with one another, helps the reader get a better understanding of the 1864 conflict.

The dramatic personae in this action include Lee's "bad old boy," Jubal Early, the combative but capable Confederate commander, versus Phil Sheridan, the hyperactive cavalry commander given charge of the Union forces in the Valley. Key players on the Union side: John Crook, leader of the "Army of West Virginia," William Emory of Sheridan's army, the cavalry (Torbert as head, with Merritt and Custer, and Devin as key subordinates). On the Confederate side: infantry commanders such as Gordon, Rodes and Ramseur and cavalry leaders Lomax, Munford, and Rosser. There was a lot of talent on each side, but Early's army was heavily outnumbered (maybe 40,000 troops under Sheridan and 14,000 or so under Early). Such numbers presaged an almost inevitable defeat of Early, with as combative a Union general as Sheridan on the other side (it can safely be said that prior Valley commanders such as Patterson, Hunter, Sigel, and so on may well have wasted such an advantage; Sheridan, despite his flaws as a combat commander, was unlikely to lose under such conditions).

What is nice about this volume is that the authors of the individuals chapters try to assess what actually happened and how good (or bad) commanders actually were, rather than repeating commonly understood judgments. What about the "Woodstock Races" after the Confederate cavalry's disastrous defeat at Tom's Brook? Confederate ineptitude? Or Union overwhelming force? What about Early versus Sheridan as commander of an army? Gallagher's chapter addresses this in a sensitive manner.

At Cedar Creek, what happened? Did Early's so-called "fatal halt" lose the day? Or were the Confederates so outnumbered and outgunned that--aside from total incompetence in Union leadership--they simply could not triumph? Another essay explores the generalship of the 6th Corps commander, Horatio Wright. The conclusions is that he did a good job as commander after the surprise attack while Sheridan was absent and may not have received the credit due him. Still, his performance in other venues in the Civil War was uneven. Here, however, he probably deserves good grades.

And so on. The essays in this volume provoke some thinking about the Valley Campaign of 1864. This is a good work to look at. The chapters are somewhat uneven (as to be expected from an edited volume), but--all in all--this is a useful examination of the subject.