audiobook A Want of Vigilance: The Bristoe Station Campaign; October 9–19; 1863 (Emerging Civil War Series) by Bill Backus; Robert Orrison in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Nice telling of the story of the battle at Bristoe StationBy Steven PetersonThis is a nice job or describing the battle at Bristoe Nation; when the Union forces bloodied the Army of Northern Virginia's nose. It was not a major battle; but it hinted at problems with the Confederate forces; such as A. P. Hill's leadership; the ability of the southern forces to successfully mount an offensive; George Meade's ability to handle the Army of the Potomac; and so on.Robert E. Lee and his army had outfoxed Meade and forced his retreat by threatening his flank and rear. The voices of Washington (such as Abraham Lincoln and Edwin Stanton) had become somewhat disillusioned with Meade after his non-aggressive movements against Lee after the battle at Gettysburg. They thought they saw more of the same as Meade was outmaneuvred.As Meade's army retreated; Hill's corps aggressively pursued. His forces caught up with Gouverneur Warren's II Corps (Warren was standing in for Winfield Scott Hancock; who had been wounded at Gettysburg) at Bristoe Station. Although he would soon be outnumbered; Warren used the railroad as a natural defensive position and fired on Hill's troops. The Confederates charged; but the defensive position of the northern forces was too strong--and they had artillery backing as well. After a relatively short period of time; the southern forces backed off. Lee was distressed at the heavy casualties and Hill's lax leadership.A nicer description of the battle. As with all in this series; there is also a discussion of the battlefield today and suggestions as to how to tour the site to see key sites. Finally; these volumes have a number of appendices that flesh out the text\'s coverage. Satisfying coverage of a sharp little battle just after Gettysburg. . . .4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Bristoe Station IntroductionBy Matthew BartlettMost Civil War readers have little knowledge on the Bristoe Station Campaign; but recent works have surrounded themselves with this fight. There has been a new atlas about the campaign and some new books as well; but overall; there is no book which serves as a great introduction to the campaign. This is where The Emerging Civil War Series shines. One of the new works in this series is A Want of Vigilance which details the Bristoe Station Campaign and the people surrounding the events. The finished product is not only an incredible introduction; but is also a great work for future research which I have come to expect from The Emerging Civil War Series. Bill Backus is a native of Connecticut and graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in Historical Preservation. Bill is working as a historian for a number of Civil War sites in Northern Virginia and has worked for the National Park Service at Vicksburg National Military Park along with the Petersburg National Battlefield. Robert Orrison has been a historian for more than twenty years and received his Master’s degree in Public History from George Mason University. He oversees the day-to-day operations of a large municipal historic site program in Northern Virginia. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bull Run Civil War Roundtable and the Mosby Heritage Area Association along with other organizations. The first thing I would like to say about this book is that it easily breaks up the campaign. For someone who does not know a lot about Bristoe Station; this breaking up of battles helps create a better understanding as to what happened. I discovered that most people do not know as much about this campaign as other campaigns which happened in the year of 1863; but it was incredibly important nonetheless. There are also appedicies that deal with more detailed aspects of the battle such as cavalry actions of the 1st Maine; the Fall of 1863; and a more in depth look at the Battles of Rappahannock Station and Kelly’s Ford. In the chapters dealing with the battles; the narrative of the battle is aided by not only wonderful maps; but also drawings from the time and pictures of the field. One of the most fascinating things about this book was that it looked at the campaign not only as a standalone campaign; but also as the campaign after Gettysburg. The people involved are all familiar characters to most readers of the Civil War but their situations in this narrative are new to some. Bill Backus and Robert Orrison have done a great service to the world of Civil War academia by writing this work; A Want of Vigilance; on the Bristoe Station campaign. While most people ignore the campaign due to the actions of the army earlier in the year of 1863; these two historians have created one of the best introductory works on the Bristoe Station Campaign. I highly recommend this addition to The Emerging Civil War Series.Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Saying more about it!By James W. DurneyThe Bristoe Station Campaign is one of those non-events rating only a couple of paragraphs or maybe only a sentence in most books.Many historians follow General Lee’s injunction to “say no more about it” letting Chickamauga and Chattanooga fill the fall of 1863.Another approach is to use the campaign as a bridge between the “important events” of Gettysburg and The Overland Campaign.Historians want to move their readers across this bridge quickly but need it to link the two great events.Both of these approaches overlook an interesting campaign that had a real impact on the direction to war would take.Robert E. Lee knew he has to attack even though Longstreet is with Bragg; even if he has questions about Hill and Ewell as Corps commanders.George Meade is refighting Gettysburg in the White House and in Congress. Lincoln is disappointed that Lee escaped destruction and feels Meade somehow failed.Halleck is trying to be on the winning side; as always; and is incapable of giving Meade support.The Radicals are listening to Sickles and company; wishing for a more reliable general in command.The Bristoe Station Campaign is Lee’s last offensive campaign and Meade’s only independent campaign.This small short campaign gives as an opportunity to see the inners workings of these armies and how the armies and their commanders relate to their government.This is a campaign of quick marches and small sharp battles between to experienced commanders.This book in the Savas Beatie Emerging Civil War Series fills a void with an excellent study and guide to this campaign.Excellent maps; illustrations and photographs coupled with a lively intelligent narration make this a joy to read.