A selection of the Military Book Club While the Civil War is mainly remembered for its epic battles between the Northern and Southern armies; the Union was simultaneously waging another campaign―dubbed “Anacondaâ€â€•that was gradually depriving the South of industry and commerce; thus rendering the exploits of its field armies moot. When an independent Dixie finally met the dustbin of history; it was the North’s coastal campaign; as much as the achievements of its main forces; that was primarily responsible. Strangling the Confederacy examines the various naval actions and land incursions the Union waged from Virginia down the Atlantic Coast and through the Gulf of Mexico to methodically close down every Confederate port that could bring in weapons or supplies. The Rebels responded with fast ships―blockade runners―that tried to evade the Yankee fleets; while at the same time constructing formidable fortifications that could protect the ports themselves. While Union troopships floated offshore; able to strike anywhere; mobile Confederate forces were kept at hand near crucial points; albeit in smaller numbers; to resist Federal irruptions into their homeland. In the final analysis; the Union’s Navy Board; a unique institution at the time; undertook the correct strategy. Its original decision to focus on ten seaports that had rail or water connections with the Confederate interior―from Norfolk to Charleston to Mobile to New Orleans―shows that the Navy Board understood the concept of decisive points. In a number of battles the Federals were able to leverage their superior technology; including steam power and rifled artillery; in a way that made the Confederate coastal defenses highly vulnerable; if not obsolete. On the other hand; when the Federals encountered Confederate resistance at close-quarters they often experienced difficulties; as in the failures at Fort Fisher; the debacle at Battery Wagner; the Battle of Olustee; and in other clashes. What makes this book particularly unique is its use of modern military doctrine to assess and analyze the campaigns. Kevin Dougherty; an accomplished historian and former career Army officer; concludes that; without knowing it; the Navy Board did an excellent job at following modern strategic doctrine. While the multitude of small battles that flared along the Rebel coast throughout the Civil War have heretofore not been as well known as the more titanic inland battles; in a cumulative sense; Anaconda―the most prolonged of the Union campaigns―spelled doom for the Confederacy.
#1087091 in Books 2010-05-05 2010-05-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.26 x .73 x 5.88l; .99 #File Name: 1932714839336 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A human view of the Black HatsBy Steven PetersonThe Iron Brigade (or the Black Hats) was one of the great fighting units of the Union Army of the Potomac. One unique factor was that all the regiments for the brigade came from the West--Indiana; Michigan (the 24th Michigan joined the brigade later in its existence); and Wisconsin; and the troops were proud of that. Their inaugural battle as a brigade was a toe-to-toe exchange of fire with the Stonewall Brigade at Brawner's Farm (or Groveton). And they held their own. They; according to one story; earned the sobriquet "Iron Brigade" at South Mountain; as General George McClellan allegedly noted that the brigade was made of iron. But its legend culminated at the great battle fought at Gettysburg--when the unit was pretty much wrecked.What makes this book special is its human perspective. Using letters; diaries; etc.; we get a much more ground level view of the men in the Iron Brigade--from pri8vates to regimental leaders. It is a wonderful match for Nolan's early 1960s volume; "The Iron Brigade." Where does the title come from? Comments attributed to some Confederates advancing up McPherson's Ridge at the first day of Gettysburg. . . . They thought they were fighting militia and dismounted cavalry. When the saw the high black hats (Hardee hats) of the brigade; it is alleged that one of the southerners cried out: "There are them black hatted fellows again. Tain't no militia; it's the Army of the Potomac."On the first day at Gettysburg; General John Buford's cavalry were engaged by forces in the division of Harry Heth. They held their own for awhile; but the numbers pressing against them were too much for them to hold all morning. At that point; General John Reynolds; commanding the First Corps; arrived; moving the troops of his First Division onto the field. He personally arranged for the Iron Brigade to take on an advancing Confederate brigade under Archer. He was killed; but the Iron Brigade routed their counterparts. And bought precious time for the Army of the Potomac. As the day wore on; the Union forces could not stand the pressure from North and West; the brigade retreated sullenly; making a final stand on Seminary Ridge before the Union forces finally broke. Only remnants of the Iron Brigade remained. Yet the survivors stubbornly participated over the next two days.The story of the Black Hats continues; as a much reduced force; having Eastern units swell its ranks. Thus ended their sense of uniqueness as a Western unit. Although the brigade continued after Gettysburg; it was no longer a major fighting force as it had been.A terrific view of the individuals within the Iron Brigade as well as a good account of their exploits. If interested in unit histories--especially those looking at the individuals within the unit--this is first rate.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Civil War history at its bestBy Michael J. MartinThough I've read all of Mr. Herdegen's books that pertain to the Iron Brigade; this; in my opinion; is the best of the lot. While the author does a masterful job of chronicling the Iron Brigade's history from its inception to its arrival at and participation in the battle at Gettysburg; it is the individual soldier vignettes and the brigade's associated nuances; both of which are generously interspersed throughout the book; that make this volume special. The following case in point concerns the authors entertaining explanation of how the various Iron Brigade regiments and its associated artillery; Battery B; 4th U.S. Artillery; received their nicknames;"If it was the `Ragged Assed 2nd' and `Calico 6th;' the 7th Wisconsin became the `Huckleberries.' One officer recalled that they were always talking about `pies and things to eat;' while the men of the 19th Indiana were simply `old Posey County' or `Swamp Hogs; Number 19' . . . the infantry volunteers and regulars serving with Battery B of the 4th U.S. Artillery became the `One hundred forty thieves' for their admired ability to carry foraged goods on their limbers and caissons. When the 24th Michigan was added to the Western Brigade in 1862; the Wolverines became `the featherbeds' because they were slow to enlist and brought so many creature comforts from back home." I highly recommend this book to all Iron Brigade aficionados; those especially interested in the activities of the Army of the Potomac's First Corps at Gettysburg and Civil War historians in general.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Real Page Turner -- Couldn't Put It DownBy David M. DoughertyThis book was a great if easy read for anyone interested in the Civil War. Actually; however; I would like to rate the book as five stars minus. First; what is good/great: The author puts a heavy amount of human interest into a story that could be essentially dry; particularly due to the amount of scholarly research the work displays. I found myself sincerely interested in what happened to the Iron Brigade personnel and read quickly to find out. That's why I titled my review in terms usually only given to suspense novels. In addition; the action at Gettysburg was easy to follow and the maps helped significantly. Checking the brigade's action with the OR; I found that the author's account was fully supported. I am always impressed by a work that can be quickly checked and its veracity supported by contemporaneous accounts and reports. Indeed; the Iron Brigade sacrificed itself on the first day of Gettysburg to pave the way for the Union army's ultimate victory. Whether Reynold's death caused the brigade to suffer higher casualties is an interesting controversy; but there is no doubt at all that the brigade earned itself the highest possible honors in the battle. There is much here to learn and digest; and the reader will come away the better for reading this book. On the other hand; allow me to indicate what I thought needs to be fixed for a second edition: The action of the Brigade at Gainesville should be expanded fully as Gainesville was a really remarkable fight that greatly impressed the Confederates. The wounded were left on the battlefield to suffer for two days while the battle of 2nd Manassas raged over them; and this story should include their trials. The same is true for the Iron Brigade at Turner's Gap where Gibbon adopted the novel formation of advancing his two lead regiments; the 7th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana; in ten columns of two men abreast. At Gainesville the Iron Brigade left 30% of its number on the field as dead or wounded; at Turner's Gap they lost about 280 men out of the slightly more than 1100 that went into the battle. I understand these fights were not in the main theme of this book; but they significantly impacted the Iron Brigade; and almost any book about the brigade is incomplete without them. In addition; the author takes us well beyond Gettysburg to the reunions and many personal stories after the war; so the book is hardly only about the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg. Last; and certainly least; there are a few typos in the book; like "Pettigrew Brigade" rather than "Pettigrew's Brigade" but they were not so egregious as to be distracting. I include this comment only in rebuttal to the reviewer who gave the book only two stars. I heartly recommend this book to all and commend the author for writing it. I would; however; like to see a single book covering the whole history of the Iron Brigade as above. The author's research and scholarship is impressive as well as his writing; and an expanded book would be most welcome.
