PDF Seizing Destiny: The Army of the Potomac's "Valley Forge" and the Civil War Winter that Saved the Union by Albert Z. Conner; Chris Mackowski in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Book That Enthusiasts Will Want To Read And PurchaseBy David MarshallThis publication is the story of how citizen soldiers of the Army of Potomac found a way to overcome bad commanding generals; while taking hold of their future and saved the United States through loyalty; hard work; determination; inspiration and excellent direction. These significant changes came about during a non-battle period in the winter and spring of 1863. While losing both the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; self-confidence and fighting abilities were reestablished through enhanced soldier attention; the army’s restructuring; collaboration and worked with the Lincoln Administration in mutual purpose. These excellent writers utilize numerous primary sources such as official records; diaries; letters; newspaper accounts and editorial letters. Together with their use of secondary sources; they have succeeded in providing an understanding of political; social and cultural history in this critical period in American history.Savas-Beatie has published a comprehensive book in 2016 with 384 pages; and 39 helpful photographs and illustrations as well as 8 outstanding Hal Jespersen’s produced maps; an index; below page notes; and a thorough bibliography. Albert Z. Connor and Chris Mackowski used many firsthand accounts and anecdotes of interesting aspects of this wonderful story. Some of the colorful historical individuals that are discussed in this treatment include Union Major General Joseph Hooker; Union General Dan Butterfield; Union Major General George Meade; General-In-Chief of the Union Army Henry Halleck; Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and President Abraham Lincoln. Additionally; the 3 Appendices enhance the understanding of the Civil War’s turning points. Historians such as John Hennessy; Eric Mink; Don Pfanz; Bob Poirier and Kristopher D. White assisted these writers with this work. This publication allows the reader to feel like they are with the Army of the Potomac during its reorganization in 1863 prior to the Battle of Gettysburg.Most examinations of citizen soldiers during this crucial period in American history books concern a specific battle while this useful tour covers the aftermath of several battles/fights between the Federals and the Confederates during 1861-1865. These historians have produced a title; Seizing Destiny: The Army of the Potomac’s “Valley Forge” and the Civil War Winter that Saved the Union; which is a fine addition to Civil War literature. Experienced readers will find new and helpful information. The author has created a well written; very organized; readable; clear; concise; and balanced title that offers an excellent start to this important topic. A personal and accessible narrative that tells a remarkable story yet is grounded in scholarship. Enthusiasts will benefit from reading this useful publication.Connor and Mackowski are able to shed important light on the crucial changes that the Army of the Potomac made to survive Burnside’s failed advance at Fredericksburg and his terminated Mud March follow up in January 1863; when his army was frustrated by bad weather conditions before it could cross the Rappahannock River as preferred. They point out that these important modifications ultimately helped lead Union forces to a great victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. The principal merit of the author’s book “Seizing Destiny” is in making students feel that without the 93 day recovery in 1863; the fortunes of this important army may have been lost forever and the war’s results could have been ultimately lost. This reviewer recommends the purchase of this wonderful and important book.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Filling in the Details Between Fredericksburg and ChancellorsvilleBy Ryan Q.After the Federal disaster at Fredericksburg in December; 1862; President Abraham Lincoln moaned; “If there is a place worse than hell; I am in it.” The Union war effort; at least in the east; had been met repeatedly with setbacks; and the latest defeat came at a time when Lincoln hoped to drive home his ultimatum with the upcoming Emancipation Proclamation.If Lincoln was in hell; what of the Army of the Potomac; the Union’s fighting force in the east? Fredericksburg marked the darkest period for the army during the entire Civil War; and they went into winter quarters in nearby Stafford County a nearly broken lot. And yet; just a few months later; the army went on to fight Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville; and though a defeat; the Federals absorbed the loss and; two months later; win the battle of Gettysburg. What happened in Stafford County is the subject of a new book; Seizing Destiny: The Army of the Potomac’s “Valley Forge” and the Civil War Winter that Saved the Union.Authored by Albert Conner and Chris Mackowski; Seizing Destiny is the perfect book to explain what is usually shrugged off as “Joseph Hooker replaced Ambrose Burnside; and fixed morale in the army.” How? remained the pertinent question for historians to answer in the interlude between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; and Conner and Mackowski answer the question and then some.Brimming with first-hand accounts; the two authors allow the soldiers and officers of the Army of the Potomac to do a lot of the explaining. Reading the letters; one can trace as the army starts to believe in itself again—humor replaces deep skepticism; and the soldiers start to look forward to their next engagement with Lee’s men to try and prove what they were capable with. These primary sources are drawn from all over the army; allowing for a full panoramic view of the Army of the Potomac.Though not fully focused on battles; the two authors do go into detail of the cavalry actions in the winter and early spring of 1863; culminating with the battle of Kelly’s Ford on March 17; 1863; St. Patrick’s Day. There are plenty of maps to allow the reader to follow along.If the book will have its naysayers; they will come against the book’s subtitle; claiming the winter of 1862-63 to be the “Valley Forge” of the Federal army. The authors are fully aware of what a large claim this is; and they rely on soldiers like Rufus Dawes from the famed Iron Brigade; whose own writings allude to the Continental Army’s experiences in 1777-78 during the American Revolution in comparison to the Army of the Potomac. While not a perfect comparison (George Washington and his men were; after all; dealing with the loss of their own capital; something the Army of the Potomac didn’t have against them); the allusion does have its points.Seizing Destiny is a great resource for the Army of the Potomac scholar; or someone looking for that background information on the period between Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. It is truly an unfortunate case that one of the book’s authors—Al Conner—recently died after a long fight against cancer. But Conner’s contribution to the Civil War scholarship alongside Mackowski; a topic that sometimes seems maxed out; is a lasting one that readers will pick up for years to come.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Rebuilding an armyBy James W. DurneyVery few armies suffered as the Army of the Potomac did.In July 1862; they stood at the gates to Richmond ready to enter the capital of the Confederacy and win the war.The Seven Days; a series of brutal battles; drove them away from Richmond forcing a general withdrawal.Antietam is a slugfest where they attack as individual units with little chance to win.Their popular general is replaced by a fumbler that sends them against an impregnable position at Fredericksburg.The final insult is the infamous “Mud March” that mires them in a sea of mud for nothing.In winter quarters; the food is so bad that men have scurvy.An army of citizens; that expect to go home after the war; they are almost ready to mutiny and unwilling to reenlist.“Fighting Joe” Hooker inherited a demoralized group of men; angry; sullen if not hostile and in a few months had made them into an army again.Sears book on Chancellorsville is one of the few histories that touch on what Hooker accomplished in a few months.This book takes a close; detailed look at how an army is built and what good officers can accomplish.This book covers what make Civil War armies so hard to destroy and the solider so ready to return to a fight after being beaten;The authors look at the army as a society and as people; keeping both views and showing how each responds and interacts.Not being a battle history; many will overlook this book.In doing so they will reduce their understanding of how the war was fought and where it was won.