DOC Put the Vermonters Ahead: The First Vermont Brigade in the Civil War by George W. Parsons in History

Review

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A serviceable unit historyBy Steven PetersonThis is a workmanlike depiction of a hard fighting unit in the Civil War--the First Vermont Brigade; a component of the Army of the Potomac. There are some interesting aspects to this work: a postscript notes the descendant units of the First Brigade; up to and 1994 (apparently; the f\First Battalion; 172nd Armor); Appendix A lists the Medal of Honor recipients from the brigade in the Civil War; Appendix C lists the officers of the brigade and its constituent regiments; and so on.This unit history begins with the formation of the brigade in Vermont in 1961. Their first fighting was on the Peninsula; as General George McClellan's horde of Union forces moved (all too slowly) toward Richmond. They fought often during the Seven Days. The brigade began in the IV Corps and later with the VI Corps. They fought at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; they played a role at Gettysburg (while the VI Corps was not as heavily engaged as others; the Vermonters did engage in combat during Lee's retreat). During the arc of combat from the Wilderness to Cold Harbor; the brigade fought often; they suffered heavy casualties. When General Early took his troops to the Shenandoah Valley to confound the north; the VI Corps was sent to thwart their efforts; the Vermonters along with them. They took part in the Shenandoah Campaign; under General Phil Sheridan's command. Finally; the brigade was involved in the final retreat of Lee; ending at Appomattox Court House.All in all; a solid unit history. . . .9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Antiquarian and dry.By A CustomerI'd been aware of the reputation that the 1st Vermont Brigade had acquired in the Army of the Potomac so when I stumbled across this book I was pleased to give it a try.Fortunately; the book didn't demand a great investment of time as it had a musty; antiquarian quality which suggested that Mr. Parsons had done his research but wasn't quite able to bring a detailed analysis to bear on his material. The flavor is more that of a scrapbook than a polished work.This is sad as this is a potentially interesting and relevant story but Parsons doesn't bring his subject to life the way Alan Nolan did in "The Iron Brigade" or Terry Jones in "Lee's Tigers" (two good brigade level studies of the Civil War in Virginia).