DOC The Chickamauga Campaign - A Mad Irregular Battle: From the Crossing of Tennessee River Through the Second Day; August 22 - September 19; 1863 by David A. Powell in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. First Rate Assessment of the CampaignBy victor vignolaDavid Powell has a writing style that is easy to read. His books are all well researched and are supported with verifiable references. I have also read his other 2 books on Chickamauga - Failure in the Saddle and Maps of Chickamauga. Once the description of the fighting of September 19; 1863 begins; I found reading the Campaign book much easier having the maps book as a companion. Chickamauga is an extremely complex battle and difficult to understand on a good day - but without maps it becomes even more confusing. Thus; to really understand this battle; I would recommend the Maps book (and a trip to the battlefield).Mr Powell does an excellent job in providing the background as to the events that led to the Rosecrans/Bragg match-up along Chickamauga Creek. He begins with an overview starting in early 1863 with the Battle of Stones River; the culmination of the Tullahoma Campaign (July 3) and Rosecrans advance to outmaneuver Bragg in Chattanooga. His description of the cat and mouse game that Bragg played in attempting to spring a trap on one of George Thomas Divisions (Negley's) in McLemore's Cove is excellent.Mr Powell provides a brief bio of each of the key players involved in the Chickamauga Campaign as well as an an analysis of the critical thinking of the leadership involved on both sides. He also provides a detailed narrative (and map) of Bragg's plans to attack the Union flank and the events that culminated in Minty's fight at Reed's Bridge and Wilder's fight at Alexander's Bridge on Sept. 18.His description of the fighting that occurred on Sept 19 is broken into segments - that are very helpful in understanding the events. However; even with that breakdown; be advised that any description of the September 19 fighting is bound to be chaotic - this is where the Maps book was most helpful.This book is a balanced assessment of the Chickamauga Campaign through September 19; 1863 and is well worth the time taken to read it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A complex battle described in an accessible writing styleBy Samuel SimonsThis is a complex and confusing battle described in great detail but the author's narrative keeps it moving. To be clear; this is not a book for the casual reader; but it will become a classic for serious Civil War buffs because of the combination of detail with accessible writing.This volume does a great job of setting the stage; describing the advance of the Union armies past Chattanooga and how it fit into the grand strategy; while highlighting the dysfunctional nature of the Confederate army and the consequences of a brilliant plan; poorly executed. You also come away from the story with a visceral understanding of the difficulties of command and control in such difficult terrain and an appreciation for the small unit leadership and the shear grit of the men on both sides. The story is also full of interesting first person accounts that provide a deep understanding of the fighting conditions using an engaging narrative.The author does a great job of describing a battle that took place around widely isolated open fields rather than in easily identified front lines. It also doesn't help that the Confederate advance was along three different axes. There are plenty of maps detailing the small unit actions that characterized the fighting but you will find yourself referring back to the larger area maps due to the complexity of the battle. It actually contributes to the sense of getting lost in the woods with the combatants!A special treat was the analysis of the action in McLemore's Cove prior to the battle. I hadn't know of this encounter and it is a great preface to the confusing action that was to come at the Chickamauga. I'm looking forward to the second volume; which I think will feature more conventional lines of battle based on where the first day's fighting ended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. THE definitive Chickamauga book.By Bill PilonFolks; let me tell you this appears to be the first volume of what will eventually be THE definitive book on Chickamauga. The book is a monumental; almost minute by minute; account of the battle. Powell has obviously mastered the primary and secondary source material on this battle in a way that no one else has (at least no one that I’m aware of). He has taken that knowledge and seamlessly integrated the words of the actual participants into his narrative so that a reader gets the perspective of the actual participants. I can’t say enough about this book.Two note for prospective readers; First; this is a very dense; detailed; look at the battle. Be sure that’s what you want before you start it. Second is that readers will want to obtain a good general map of the battlefield and keep it handy while reading. The book does come with maps; and they’re very good; but there are only about 30 of them; and they’re widely interspersed throughout the book. I recommend The Maps of Chickamaugaby the same author. I would up reading Mad Irregular Battle on my Kindle fire; but keeping the Maps book open to the appropriate page to make it easier to follow along. Anyway; if you’re a serious student of Chickamauga; you need this book.