Rebels at the Gate: Lee And McClellan on the Front Line of a Nation Divided
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
It's been my experience most books covering the entire Civil War give scant space to the battles in what is now West Virginia. As a result, this book filled in a large hole in my knowledge about that early-War conflict. The author does a very good job covering the military and political struggles of both sides. He covers the actions of the top commanders and the low-ranking soldiers, as well as the civilians. I was very interested in how the severe weather impacted military actions. The author also covers the politics that resulted in the creation of a new state---West Virginia---out of an existing state, which was technically unconstitutional.
As with any book I read, I have some disagreements with what the author states. These disagreements are based on what I have read about the war and the personalities over decades. But they were so few here they are not worth mentioning.
I did enjoy reading his comments about Union General McClellan who claimed credit for a victory he wasn't even near or supported. Unfortunately, this made him an early hero and pushed him to prominence and inflated his ego. Any well-read Civil War buff knows the problems that later caused for the Union. I also found it interesting Confederate General Lee launched a major assault on a Union position and, when that failed, he simply renamed it a "reconnaissance." He also did that in July 1863 when, after invading Pennsylvania, he was defeated at Gettysburg. When he retreated, he renamed his invasion to a "raid."
Civil War buffs will be surprised to learn the first Union solder killed in the war was not Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, a friend of President Lincoln, as we are so often taught, but a lowly West Virginia private. An early battle in this area was also the site of the war's first amputation.
Highly recommended.
As with any book I read, I have some disagreements with what the author states. These disagreements are based on what I have read about the war and the personalities over decades. But they were so few here they are not worth mentioning.
I did enjoy reading his comments about Union General McClellan who claimed credit for a victory he wasn't even near or supported. Unfortunately, this made him an early hero and pushed him to prominence and inflated his ego. Any well-read Civil War buff knows the problems that later caused for the Union. I also found it interesting Confederate General Lee launched a major assault on a Union position and, when that failed, he simply renamed it a "reconnaissance." He also did that in July 1863 when, after invading Pennsylvania, he was defeated at Gettysburg. When he retreated, he renamed his invasion to a "raid."
Civil War buffs will be surprised to learn the first Union solder killed in the war was not Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, a friend of President Lincoln, as we are so often taught, but a lowly West Virginia private. An early battle in this area was also the site of the war's first amputation.
Highly recommended.
