Customer Reviews

Valley Thunder: The Battle of New Market and the Opening of the Shenandoah Campaign, May 1864

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I am convinced that enthusiasts write the best histories. An enthusiast finds an event that touches them deeply, for whatever reason. They take the time to study the event intently. They walk the ground. They read every possible document and search for more documents. They discuss the event with others and in time, they write a book. If we are lucky, they can convey all their knowledge in an understandable, entertaining, and informative manner. With Charles Knight, we have gotten very lucky! A one-time resident of New Market, he was a Historical Interpreter on the battlefield. This is the enthusiast willing to invest the time and effort into understanding a campaign.
The May 1864 Battle of New Market is best remembered for the charge by the VMI Cadets. This charge is one of those moments that burns into our history. This book is a dual history. Primarily, it is a detailed history of operations in the Shenandoah Valley in May 1864. Secondly, it is an accurate but loving look at the VMI Cadet legend. Those holding the legend dear should not be upset with this book. The author clearly respects the cadets and is very truthful about what they did that day. An excellent introduction places the battle and the legend in the reality of history.
In the Shenandoah Valley, two small armies look for an advantage. In some ways, officers best assigned to a quiet front command both armies. Grant orders Sigel into The Valley as part of an overall attack on the Confederacy. Sigel is to sever railroad lines, prevent any reinforcement of Lee's army, and stop the flow of supplies. John D. Imboden holds the Valley with fewer than 2,000 men. John C. Breckinridge commands the Department of Southwest Virginia with about 7,000 men. Each knows they must delay any attacker until reinforced by the other. At that time, both commands must try to defeat the Union army quickly returning to their areas in as little time as possible.
While Grant's Overland Campaign and Sherman's Atlanta Campaign mesmerized the newspapers, these armies conduct a small but important campaign. Valley Thunder is a history of this campaign and the battle of New Market. There is enough background to understand the personalities and the overall situation but not so much that we are bogged down in details. Coverage of the campaign and the battle is excellent. The author has a clear, informative style that conveys the action well. Here we have a detailed account but in a readable form. The author lets the participants "speak for themselves," giving us a combination of his knowledge and first-person accounts that makes a powerful narration.
Savas Beatie continues to provide maps that keep us from getting lost. They are one of the few publishers that understand good maps are part of good histories. A series of illustrations and photos complement the story. This attractive, quality book is setting the standard for New Market.

"There was no hint of cowardice in General Sigel, just as certainly there was none of generalship" is one of many first hand accounts that author Charles Knight supplies in the first retelling of the Battle of New Market since William Davis' history of 40 years ago. Knight knows the ground well as evidenced by his descriptions of the battle and his refreshing multitudes of maps. Knight was a historian and guide at the New Market Battlefield, owned and operated by VMI, and lived in the town itself during his time there. Knight provides the critical over view of Grant's 1864 Virginia strategy of attacking simultaneously at several points that coincided with his overland campaign with Averell, Crook and Sigel attacking with separate commands in the valley and in southeast Virginia. Of particular interest is General Ord, one of Grant's favorites who despised Sigel and opted out of the campaign, which was critical in the loss of a decisive commander. Knight covers well Sigel's odd command structure, disruption of unit authority with odd changes of command, his failure to consolidate his army at New Market and his disastrous use of his cavalry starting off with the annihilation of a 300-man brigade east of New Market by Imboden's cavalry. In contrast, Knight describes Breckenridge's quick movements and utilization of not only VMI cadets but also dismounted cavalry taking an aggressive stance, combined with Imboden's delaying tactics, captures the high ground. Knight provides an excellent detail of this battle that is very compact because of the terrain and the fact that it is framed on by the North Fork of Shenandoah on the west and Smith's Creek on the east. Knight's detail is moving and peppered with first hand accounts from both sides and for all units involved he gives an unbiased account of the battle that gives a true depiction while even challenging myths. He certainly covers the role of the cadets well but does not exaggerate their role as the veterans carried the day with the cadets plugging a gap in the middle as the battle progressed, charging with those veterans at the climax of the Confederate final charge. The other great point made by Knight's description was how the battle went back and forth and for a time, in favor of the Union who had excellent field position until Sigel orders a disastrous cavalry charge reminiscent on a small scale of Farnsworth's charge (ordered by Kilpatrick) at Gettysburg. Knight also discusses the strategic consequences of the impact of the battle in that it allows Breckenridge's forces to move east in time for Cold Harbor. However, the consequences were short lived as Grant replaces Sigel with David Hunter who forever changes campaigns in the valley with destruction. Also of particular interest are Knight's delightful appendices that run down some fascinating questions or myths. The best of which is what describing, or attempting to, describe what Imboden was doing on the opposite side of Smith's Creek when the tide turned to the Confederates and cavalry was needed in pursuit. Another appendix of interest was the role of the 1st Missouri cavalry unit that was virtually the only Missouri unit that fought in the eastern theater. I purchased my book at the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA. where Knight is the curator and he was kind of enough to autograph.

This book has been touted as the definitive treatment of the Battle of New Market, made famous by the participation of the cadets of the Virginia Military Institute and their role in capturing a Federal cannon. The last book-length treatment of New Market was William Davis' book, which was first published in 1975; Davis himself provides the foreword to"Valley Thunder," saying that Knight's book surpasses his own with its use of sources found in the interim since his own book appeared.

"Valley Thunder" deserves the advance praise it has been getting. The purposes, tactical successes, and faults of the commanding generals, Franz Sigel and John Breckinridge, are spelled out. The whereabouts and expectations of CS cavalry commander John Imboden are explored. The exploits of the VMI cadets are presented in a realistic light, and not embellished. Knight writes about the battle in clear and exciting style. In short, this IS a very good book.

More importantly, its presentation is typical of its publisher, Savas Beatie, and it is yet another example of how Savas Beatie has established itself as the most important Civil War publisher going today. Great maps, excellently reproduced vintage photos, footnotes at the bottom of each page; all make for a quality work on a battle which deserved such a treatment. Highly recommended for all Civil War readers, especially those with an interest in the actions in the Shenandoah Valley.

"Valley Thunder" is an excellent read for both the Civil War enthusiast and the "layman" alike. This book has been touted as the definitive book on the battle of New Market, a title it richly reserves. Charlie Knight's exhaustive research, his grasp of the physical battlefield and his knowledge of the tactics used by both sides are outstanding. Added to this is his liberal and effective use of first-person accounts throughout the book. The combination of these attributes make for a completely enjoyable and educational reading experience.

I recommend this book not only to those who wish to study the tactics and the flow of the battle, but also to those who wish to get the feel of being there on the ground. I agree with a previous reviewer: buy the book, read it and then take it with you when you visit the site - in particular during the annual reenactment held there. Armed with the knowledge Charlie Knight imparts, and with the experience of being on the battlefield watching history re-lived, you may just experience a bit of mental time-travel!

As a Cadet at VMI, I spent a lot of time at New Market. I was a member of the VMI Civil War Round Table, and every year we did living history weekends as well as participated in the re-enactment every spring. Naturally, I was delighted to hear that a new book on the battle was forthcoming.

I found Valley Thunder to be an excellent history of the battle. The re-telling of the campaign can often become distorted by the fact that the VMI cadets fought in it, and certainly much of the focus from the veterans was in preserving that heritage. While I appreciate the role of the cadets, Knight has gone beyond their story to round out the details of the other participants, integrating primary sources from Union as well as other non-VMI Confederate units. His role as an interpreter and historian at the battlefield park has provided him with an intimate understanding of the terrain as well, which is reflected in his easy, natural narrative of not just how but why things unfolded as they did.

I do think there is still room for some additional interpretation of Sigel and his role in the campaign. Sigel was not the only one to face difficulties in the Valley, and the defeat was not solely to Sigel's incompetence. The partisan war in the lower Shenandoah raised a constant threat to Union supply lines, and that struggle effected Sigel's efforts more deeply than is usually credited. I think a more nuanced view is possible, and would like a greater discussion of how that threat effected Union decision-making. That, however, is but a very minor quibble.

Valley Thunder is now the state-of-the-art New Market battle study. The next time I'm there, I will definitely have Mr. Knight's Book in hand...

Dave Powell

For me, a good history book must provide two things: plenty of well documented information to provide the overall picture, and enough detail to give a sense of what it felt like to be there. Mr. Knight's "Valley Thunder", about the civil war battle in New Market, Virginia, in May 1864, provides both of these splendidly.

I most enjoyed the quotes and comments from individual soldiers taken from their letters home and memoirs. There were several passages where I wished I had highlighted them for future reference, but I didn't want to put the book down to get the markers. Guess I will have to re-read it with post-its in hand.

The format of having the author's footnotes at the bottom of the page is also a plus, and many interesting tidbits of "the rest of the story" can be gleaned there.

"Valley Thunder" really is a good read. If you get this book, read it, and then go to the New Market Battlefield soon thereafter, taking "Valley Thunder" with you for "X marks the spot", you will have a rich experience to be remembered for many years.

I recently finished reading Charlie Knight's new book, "Valley Thunder: The Battle of New Market and the Opening of the Shenandoah Campaign, May 1864." This is Knight's first book and I predict it will be the authoritative narrative on the famous battle. Charlie was a historical interpreter at the New Market Battlefield and is now the curator at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia.

Published by Savas Beatie, LLC, "Valley Thunder" is very enjoyable to read and is very well researched. In my interview with Charlie, I asked him why he decided to write a new book on the Battle of New Market. His reply was that he had uncovered a significant amount of new primary source material and that it was time to revisit the battle with a new narrative. His book is the first new book on the battle since William C. Davis' narrative, "The Battle of New Market," was published 35 years ago.

I am very impressed with Charlie Knight's first book, "Valley Thunder." It is a "must have" for any serious student of the Civil War. Like all the Savas Beatie publications I have reviewed, the book is well constructed and loaded with maps and pictures - making it a great investment that can be passed down to future generations of ACW enthusiasts. I had the opportunity to interview Charlie on May 25. He is very engaging and provides a great deal of information on the Battle of New Market. I'm sure you will enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed speaking with Charlie.

To listen to my interview with Charlie go to my blog: ThisMightyScourge (dot) com and click on the "Interviews" link on the right menu.

Michael Noirot
This Mighty Scourge

This is an extremely well-researched, unbiased, and detailed account of the 1864 Battle of New Market. I intend to take it with me during my next trip down the Shenandoah. Eminently readable and well worth the cost. A must have for any Civil War enthusiast.

Charles Knight's "Valley Thunder" is one of the most interesting Civil War books to appear in recent times. Knight's years as an Historical Interpreter at Virginia's New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and his indepth research on the May 15, 1864, fight there has made him the premier authority on the battle. I would say that most Civil War enthusiasts know little about the battle except it was the place where the young VMI cadets made their famous charge. Although Knight gives the cadets their due, his well-documented narrative also points out the heroic efforts of other fighting men on both sides and how the Confederate victory that day influenced future events in the Shenandoah Valley. This book is a must-have for all VMI graduates and those interested in this little-known battle. I also highly recommend it for those who have a general interest in the Civil War.

Valley Thunder is an excellent account of the Battle of New Market - from command decisions to the feelings and actions of individuals involved in the battle. Author Charles Knight is clearly an expert on the battle, and the reader benefits from both his extensive research as well as his actual grasp of the physical field of battle and geography of the region.

Some of the best parts of the work deal with the VMI Cadets. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the participation of the VMI Cadets at New Market (in terms of the actual value of their contribution). Recognizing this, Mr. Knight deftly concludes Valley Thunder in a way that will satisfy those on both sides of the matter. Overall, a very fair, well researched account of a battle too often forgotten.