Overview

"An in-depth look at of a vitally important but little-known heavy artillery regiment of the Civil WarIn early 1864, many heavy artillery regiments in the Civil War were garrisoning the Washington defenses, including the Fifteenth New York. At the same time, newly minted Union general in chief Ulysses S. Grant sought to replenish the ranks of the Army of the Potomac, and the Fifteenth became one of the first outfits dispatched to Major General George Meade at Brandy Station. Composed of predominantly German immigrants, members of the Fifteenth not only endured the nativist sentiments held by many in the army, but as ""heavies"" normally stationed to the rear, they were also derided as ""band box soldiers."" The men were still struggling to adjust to their new roles as infantrymen when they experienced combat for the first time at the Wilderness. Despite lacking infantry training and adequate equipment, they persisted. From the Wilderness to Appomattox describes how the Fifteenth continued to hone their skills and distinguish themselves throughout the Overland, Petersburg, and Appomattox Campaigns, eventually witnessing the surrender of Robert E. Lee's vaunted Army of Northern Virginia. Drawing on a wealth of previously unmined primary sources, Edward A. Altemos pays tribute to the Fifteenth, other heavy artillery regiments, and the thousands of immigrants who contributed to the Union army's victory."

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9781606354643

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"""The predominantly German American 'heavies' of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery saw some of the toughest fighting of the war, from the tangled thickets of the Wilderness to final confrontation at Appomattox, establishing themselves as a reliable command with a substantial late-war battlefield record. Altemos's thorough research and lively narrative does justice to this largely forgotten regiment."" --Patrick A. Schroeder, historian and author of We Came to Fight: The History of the 5th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Duryée's Zouaves, 1863-1865 ""The heavy artillery units that joined the Army of the Potomac in 1864 played an outsize role during the war's final year, yet few studies examine their experience. Altemos's history of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery fills that gap with exhaustive research and penetrating analysis."" --A. Wilson Greene, author of A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg"

"""The predominantly German American 'heavies' of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery saw some of the toughest fighting of the war, from the tangled thickets of the Wilderness to final confrontation at Appomattox, establishing themselves as a reliable command with a substantial late-war battlefield record. Altemos's thorough research and lively narrative does justice to this largely forgotten regiment."" —Patrick A. Schroeder, historian and author of We Came to Fight: The History of the 5th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Dury<é<e's Zouaves, 1863–1865 ""The heavy artillery units that joined the Army of the Potomac in 1864 played an outsize role during the war's final year, yet few studies examine their experience. Altemos's history of the 15th New York Heavy Artillery fills that gap with exhaustive research and penetrating analysis."" —A. Wilson Greene, author of A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg"

Author Information

"Edward A. ""Andy"" Altemos is a former federal government employee and consultant specializing in domestic and international transport matters. A retired US Coast Guard officer, he is a past president of the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia."

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