The American Revolution was a momentous conflict; the outcome of which would influence the birth of a nation. Army regulars fought in massive and famous battles from New England to Virginia; but in the South a different kind of warfare was afoot. Local militia; sometimes stiffened by a small core of the Continental Line; played a pivotal role. This lesser-known war ultimately decided the fate of the Revolution by thwarting the British "Southern strategy". In this book; the authors uniquely focus on the history of their own ancestors; who fought for the South Carolina Militia; to show just how effective the irregular forces were in a complex war of raids; ambushes; and pitched battles. The book explores the tactics; equipment; leadership and performance of the opposing Patriot and Rebel forces; bringing to life the vicious struggle in the South.
#140069 in Books Carol Reardon Tom Vossler 2016-09-17Original language:English 9.03 x .64 x 6.02l; .0 #File Name: 1469630206360 pagesA Field Guide to Antietam Experiencing the Battlefield through Its History Places and People
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Knowledgeable and useful; but VERY detailedBy R. M. PetersonThis is a very detailed guide to the Antietam National Battlefield. It is organized around twenty-one "stops"; some of which contain multiple "sub-stops". Most of the discussions for each location contain the following sections:Orientation;What Happened Here? (a description of the fighting or other events of significance that occurred at that location);Who Fought Here? (a listing of the major units from the Union and Confederate Armies that engaged there);Who Commanded Here?;Who Fell Here? (profiles of a few individual officers and soldiers who died there);Who Lived Here? (the civilians who lived at that location and how their lives were disrupted); andWhat Did They Say about It Later? (a few first-person accounts of what happened at that spot; drawn from letters and memoirs).At first; this approach seemed a little stilted to me; but ultimately it has much to commend it. I especially appreciated the discussions of the impact of the battle on the civilians who lived on these farms around Sharpsburg; Maryland.There are numerous photographs; both historical and contemporary. The contemporary ones are in color and should be quite helpful in orienting a battlefield visitor. In addition; for almost every stop there also is a schematic map of the relevant landscape and the forces arrayed across it on September 17; 1862; together with helpful symbols indicating the position and orientation the visitor should assume when reading the text. The various stops are presented so as to trace; in rough chronological order; the major events of the Battle of Antietam; beginning with Lee's placement of his defenses and ending with his retreat across the Potomac at Boteler's Ford. (There are two additional stops: the Stephen P. Grove farm; where Lincoln visited General McClellan after the battle; and Antietam National Cemetery.)The book would not serve well as an introduction to the Battle of Antietam. For one thing; it is too detailed. For another; it does not contain much analysis; either at the macro or micro level. As a field guide; its virtues include the photographs and schematic maps and its comprehensive sweep. A FIELD GUIDE TO ANTIETAM covers areas of the battlefield that often receive short shrift or are ignored altogether. And depending upon the predilections and needs of the individual reader; another virtue is the level of detail of the guide and its descriptions of the action. Reading and following the guide closely would; I am sure; give a visitor a very good understanding of the ebb and flow of the Battle of Antietam.I bought this in preparation for a visit two friends and I plan to make to the Antietam National Battlefield next week. It will be my fourth time there; for my friends it will be their first. I skimmed through the guide so that I would be sufficiently familiar with it on the actual battlefield. It gradually dawned on me that A FIELD GUIDE TO ANTIETAM is too extensive and contains too much detail for us to use it as our principal guide in the day-and-a-half we have allotted for Antietam. I suspect that it would take three days to take the entire tour laid out herein; reading and assimilating all the detailed information. I nevertheless would like to do that someday on; yes; yet a fifth visit.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Tour Guide for allBy avidreaderMore than just a travel guide this is a history tour that captures your interest. It is a well written page turner;3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An excellent book and guide to the battlefieldBy robAn excellent book and guide to the battlefield. I also have the guide to Gettysburg and the authors really know their stuff. I haven't been back to Antietam for a couple years but plan to return soon and I'll definitely have this book along. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the battle of Antietam.
