PDF Lee's Army during the Overland Campaign: A Numerical Study by Alfred C. Young III in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A very serious bookBy James W. DurneyI have a feeling this is going to be the "gold standard" reference work on this subject.The question "how many" during the Overland Campaign has been a problem since 1864.First; record keeping was not consistent within armies as different commands counted the same situation differently.The definition of "good record keeping" has changed over the last 150 years. What they considered "good records" simply do not meet our standards of records.Second; they were rather busy and record keeping was their lowest priority.Many of the records we do have were done weeks or months later if at all.To complicate matters; many records were lost or destroyed during the last days of the war.Last but not least; Lost Cause mythology made a huge investment in the small gallant band in Gray overwhelmed by an endless horde in Blue myth.All of this contributed to the popular perception of a badly outnumbered Lee butchering Grant's endless army until forced by sheer numbers into submission.The author describes himself as an "independent scholar" which seems justified by this book.Working with the Official Records; pension files; unit histories and newspaper causality lists this book presents very realistic numbers for the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign.This is a very serious book with 195 pages of tables; maps and notes.It is not light reading. However; the 235 pages of text are very informative and are not a cure for insomnia.The text explains the author's methodology and research. It covers any problems and provides reasons for estimates for adjustments.Additionally; the author looks at reinforcements either as units or men returning to duty.The balance of the text is a look at each brigade; division; corps and support units during the campaign.These histories are from 25 to 40 pages long with supporting maps.The tables work from regiment to brigade to division to corps to army.They have strengths at the start of the Wilderness; Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.Supporting these are strengths after Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.Overall; this is a well thought out look at numbers during the Overland Campaign.I found that three bookmarks are useful while reading this book.One keeps my place in the text; two keep my place in the tables.This book is not trying to overthrow accepted ideas but it will cause you to adjust your thinking.20 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Welcome tool for the serious student or historianBy SimkoIn 'Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'; 4:184; it is stated for the Overland Campaign that "...losses in the army (Army of Northern Virginia) are only partially stated."Mr. Young has written a foundation work which future discussion of losses; generally; in Confederate armies should consult. Of course; his focus here is the 64' Campaign.His research has been on-going for years; centered on the Confederate Service Records at the National Archives. But he found many gaping holes in the record; filled; in one fascinating instance only six years ago when original newspapers from Abingdon; Virginia surfaced. Mr. Young says much more detective work should be undertaken in regional newspapers of the time; as they kept as careful tally as possible; engagement by engagement; of units their readers' friends and relatives served in. A man listed as wounded in the Wilderness; but never killed; may appear in 65' in his hometown as 'missing.'(My example.) A lot of 'missing;' a designation that suggests somewhat heavier losses than the official records have stated.He paints a picture in the spring of '64 of an army collecting pieces and individuals as it goes. Walter Taylor of Lee's staff records additions only up to April 20th; for example; many soldiers were still filtering in from Longstreet's East Tennessee Campaign.He also adds color to a changing picture of the armies' morale that Grant alluded to. By Cold Harbor; there has been so much disruption of unit cohesion that new "recruits" (conscripts?) are assigned to Brigades that need bolstering; not that are matches of their state or area of birth. Wounded who return to duty are routed to wholly different outfits as their old one doesn't exist. The common soldier would know that this was not the same army of its prime. I get the feeling from the authors' observations that there was an aversion; at the time; for listing men as 'deserted.'This must be the first; 'whole army' history of the Overland campaign for the ANV that tracks events Brigade by Brigade; often detailing the regiments involved; with tables for losses. The text portion moves along; not bogging down in extended telling of battlefield events.His numbers put flesh on diary accounts that describe "fearful" losses or "desperate moments."This is a book to study; more than 'read.' I will leave to the reader to discover the author's reassessment of troop strengths and losses. A plus are the entire set of maps used in Gordon Rhea's series; a friend and adviser of Mr. Young.I mark 4 stars; instead of 5 as the book is technical in nature; perhaps not for everyone. Also; I would have benefited from more discussion; even speculation about the official categories of wounded/captured and missing. I'd love to see some good interviews of the author! The text is never confusing; just stays strictly within the bounds of detailed research the depth of which boggles my mind! You have here a very succinct text. Reenactors or folks looking into the (possible) fate of ancestors could gain valuable clues here.Finally; my one thought. Too often it is said that the south lost the war in the west. Well; a campaign that in 5 weeks reduces a formerly lethal field army to one that dare not risk open engagement outside of forts; basically; and pulls off an undisturbed amphibious landing south of the James River is some pretty fine foot work. It was Lee's army; not Grant's that was then stalemated. A poorly conceived break-out in the spring of '65 almost traps Lee. Ten days later; out come the white flags - that's defeat.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Reexamination of the Overland CampaignBy Writing HistorianIn brief; this book recalculates the battlefield numbers fielded by the major infantry; cavalry and artillery units of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign (Spotsylvania; Wilderness; through Cold Harbor and the numerous smaller battles to include cavalry engagements) as well as the casualties they actually suffered. The author effectively challenges the notion that the ANV lost far fewer men because it primarily stood on the defensive and always relied on entrenchments. In doing so; the author shows that the Army of Northern Virginia retained its élan and offensive spirit through most of this campaign. It attacked and counterattacked almost as often as its Federal opponents. The contest was more closely fought than realized because the Southern forces had more men in the field and suffered more casualties than earlier thought. His analysis rests on a painstaking examination of the experiences of individual brigades and battalions during each of the major engagements. The author relies on primary sources such as official reports; why also relying on his deep understanding of Confederate casualty reporting; supplemented by newspaper reports published after the battles took place. One indication of the influence this author is already having on current historiography is the fact that the U.S. Army Center of Military History is using his book as a major source for their Sesquicentennial Commemorative Overland Campaign brochure. That said; I would characterize this book as a reference work rather than a flowing narrative account of the campaign.Highly recommended for serious students of this conflict.