This is the first full-length biography of the Civil War general who saved the Union army from catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga; and went on to play major roles in the Chattanooga and Mobile campaigns. Immediately after the war; as commander of U.S. troops in Texas; his actions sparked the “Juneteenth†celebrations of slavery’s end; which continue to this day. Granger’s first battle was at Wilson’s Creek; Missouri; and he soon thereafter rose through the ranks―cavalry; then infantry―in early 1863 vying with Forrest and Van Dorn for control of central Tennessee. The artillery platform he erected at Franklin; dubbed Fort Granger; would soon overlook the death knell of the main Confederate army in the west. Granger’s first fame; however; came at Chickamauga; when the Rebel Army of Tennessee came within a hair’s-breadth of destroying the Union Army of the Cumberland. Without orders―even defying them―Granger marched his Reserve Corps to the scene of the hottest action; where Thomas was just barely holding on with the rump of Rosecrans’ army. Bringing fresh ammunition and hurling his men against Longstreet’s oncoming legions; Granger provided just enough breathing space to prevent that Union defeat from becoming the worst open-field battle disgrace of the war. Granger was then given command of a full infantry corps; but just proved too odd of a fellow to promote further. At Chattanooga he got on the nerves of U.S. Grant for going off to shoot cannons instead of commanding his troops (he’d actually indulged this impulse also at Chickamauga) and Sherman had no use for him either. So he went down to join Farragut in the conquest of Mobile; Alabama; leading land operations against the Confederate forts. This long-overdue biography sheds fascinating new light on a colorful commander who fought through the war in the West from its first major battles to its last; and even left his impact on the Reconstruction beyond.
#473543 in Books 2016-06-28 2016-07-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .50 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 1611212294192 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Emerging Civil War Writes on Gettysburg's Second DayBy Matthew BartlettThe Emerging Civil War Series has been a collection of excellent books introducing campaigns and battles which are less travelled than some of the major Civil War sites. But recently; the series is tackling the most travelled of all sites: Gettysburg. However; they are going about this in a completely different way than some of the other works in the series. Instead of devoting one book to the Battle of Gettysburg; the authors are splitting up the work into three volumes on the battle and one guide to the campaign as a whole. This treatment from the series not only gives the Emerging Civil War a chance to tackle this popular subject; but also offers some much-needed information for those just getting into the realm of Civil War studies. Chris Mackowski is the editor-in-chief of Emerging Civil War and splits his time between teaching writing at Saint Bonaventura University and Fredericksburg; Virginia where he is the historian in residence. He has worked previously at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Kristopher D. White is the chief historian for the Emerging Civil War and is also a historian for the Penn-Trafford Recreation Board. He is a graduate of Norwich University with a Masters in Military History. Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White are co-founders of Emerging Civil War. Daniel Davis is the managing editor of Emerging Civil War and is a graduate of Longwood University with a Bachelors in Public History. He is the co-author of Bloody Autumn: The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864; Hurricane from the Heavens: The Battle of Cold Harbor; May 26-June 5; 1864 and Calamity in Carolina: The Battles of Averasboro and Bentonville. As it has been with many of the other Emerging Civil War books; this work is well organized to aid the reader in understanding where they are on the field. The chapters are split into the areas of the battle along with pictures of the people who participated and the field itself. One thing which stood out to me in this work was the narrative. After reading many Civil War books; especially books on Gettysburg; there were some parts in the narrative which seemed fresh to me. Through their writing style; the authors were able to make me feel like I was visiting this material for the first time. With the touring directions in the book; this work can very easily be one of the most enjoyable guides on the second day of combat I have read in some time. On top of the fantastic narrative; the book is expanded upon with the excellent appendices. The four appendices each cover a fascinating subject concerning the second day at Gettysburg ranging from the Hero of Little Round Top to the Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter. Readers should note that this book only covers the combat from Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge. I have no doubt in my mind that these authors will bring us a work concerning the rest of the field including Culp’s Hill. Nevertheless; this is an excellent work and is a great partner to the previous volume on day one of Gettysburg. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Battle of Gettysburg; especially those who are new to the study. This is a great work to take along with you on the battlefield in order to gain the full experience of the campaign. The Emerging Civil War Series has released yet another good book and I anticipate the book on the third day.Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. From Little Round Top to Cemetery RidgeBy Robin FriedmanThe fighting on July 2; 1863; on the Union left and center includes some of the climactic and most confusing action of the Battle of Gettysburg. In their new book; "Don't Give an Inch: The Second Day at Gettysburg July 2; 1863; From Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge" authors Chris Mackowski; Kristopher White; and Daniel Davis offer an accessible and riveting introduction to this critical aspect of the battle. The book is part of a series in process which will cover the entire three days of Gettysburg. Additional related books in the "Emerging Civil War Series" of Savas Beatie cover the movements of the armies leading to and from Gettysburg ("The Last Road North" by Orrison and Welch) together with individual actions such as the cavalry battle at Brandy Station ("Out Flew the Sabres" by Wittenberg and Davis)."Don't Give an Inch" is organized as a driving tour of the battlefield. The book sets the stage by examining the status of the battle after the fighting on July 1 and the decisions the Confederate and Union high commands made in anticipation of the continuing contest. There are ten stops on the tour beginning with the new Seminary Ridge Museum and continuing through Pitizer's Woods; the Mississippi State Memorial and Warfield Ridge; Little Round Top and the 20th Maine position on East Little Round Top; Devil's Den; The Wheatfield; The Peach Orchard; the site of the wounding of Union general Dan Sickles; the 1st Minnesota Monument; and the High Water Mark; which roughly coincides with the High Water Mark of Pickett's Charge of July 3. The organization of the tour in itself gives a good overview of the course of the battle. The tour offers good clear driving and parking directions around the battlefield; including GPS coordinates.At each stop on the tour; the authors explain briefly the important actions which occurred and place them in the context of the battle. The discussions also help the reader see the difficulties and controversies of the battle; including Sickles' movement of his Third Corps away from the Union line on Cemetery Ridge; and the role played by Joshua Chamberlain in the defense of Little Round Top. The reader will learn about the complexity of the battle; the dangers of drawing too quick conclusions; and about its never-ending fascination.In addition to the text; the book includes many visual aids in photographs of battlefield sites and participants. The maps of each site and of the second day battlefield as a whole are good and detailed. I found the highlight of the various tour stops was the emphasis on monumentation. The authors spend a great deal of time with the many monuments at Gettysburg posted by the various units of the armies. They use the monuments to lead into the action and to explain why each monument was created; what it shows; and what it commemorates. The monuments of the field are an excellent introduction to the action -- they are still on the ground and visible; are important in themselves; and help the viewer understand what the participants thought important in this battle fought over 150 years ago. The commemorative monuments tend not to get much attention in longer; detailed studies of the battle.The book includes three appendixes which offer a more detailed walking tour of the Wheatfield; an examination of the controversy surrounding Joshua Chamberlain's role at Little Round Top; an discussion of the famous battlefield photograph of the dead Confederate sharpshooter at Devil's Den; and an overview of the controversy between Union commander George Meade and his willful subordinate; Dan Sickles; following the battle.In a thoughtful Epilogue; the authors offer their insights into why the Union succeeded and the Confederates failed at Gettysburg and in the actions on July 2. The Foreword to the book by Tom Huntington; author of a book about General George Meade; stresses the Union commander's often under-estimated role in the Battle. More importantly; Huntington points out the addictive nature of the study of the battle of Gettysburg. He writes that "the Gettysburg battlefield is populated by phantoms; created at the intersection of history and imagination. Once you fall under their spell; it's hard to tear yourself away. ..... be warned -- it's a gateway drug."I have read a great deal about Gettysburg and about the portions of the battle discussed in this book. The test of a Gettysburg book for me is whether it rehooks me on the battle and moves me about actions which I have read and thought about several times in the past. This introduction brought home to me again the significance of Gettysburg and my fascination with the battle. Savas Beatie kindly provided me with a review copy.Robin Friedman2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Day 2 at Gettysburg--with suggestions on your visit to the battlefieldBy Steven PetersonThis a part of a series by Savas Beatie; a series on Civil War battles and campaigns with a twist. Along with relatively brief discussions of the subject at hand goes a "tour guide;" where readers are told where to go on the battlefield site to see key points. In that respect; this is a nice series. If you want a lot of detail on battles; this is not a series for you. But if you are interested in the battyle and how one might see key aspects of the scene; then this is a valuable little volume.Here; the subject is the second day of Gettysburg; with some emphasis on the III Corps struggle and the fight at Devil's Den and Little Round Top. One gets a sense of the ebb and flow of the fight--and a near thing it was at some times.One frustration: At one point; the book seems to suggest that Joshua Chamberlain may have overstated his role (this is not the only book that mentioned that)--but there was really no follow up. My curiosity had been picqued.But; overall; a nice addition to the series.
