Overview

In eight new essays, contributors to this volume explore the Shenandoah Valley campaign, best known for its role in establishing Thomas J. ""Stonewall"" Jackson's reputation as a Confederate hero. In early 1862, Union troops under George B. McClellan had arrived within range of Richmond and threatened to take the Confederate capital. Robert E. Lee ordered Jackson to march north through the Shenandoah Valley, hoping to tie down Federal forces that might otherwise reinforce McClellan's troops. The strategy worked, and for two months the Confederates evaded and harassed their Union pursuers. Jackson's speed and audacity boosted plummeting Southern morale, and he emerged from the Valley as the Confederacy's greatest military idol. Contributors address questions of military leadership, strategy and tactics, the campaign's political and social impact, and the ways in which participants' memories of events differed from what is revealed in the historical sources. In the process, they offer valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory.

Full Product Details

9780807827864

Table of Contents

Reviews

[ The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 ] will interest both the knowledgeable and casual reader, the dedicated military scholar and the more general reader alike. . . . Well researched and interestingly written. - Canadian Journal of History

A valuable look on an important aspect of the war in the East in 1862. <br> -- The NYMAS Review

[ The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 ] will interest both the knowledgeable and casual reader, the dedicated military scholar and the more general reader alike. . . . Well researched and interestingly written. <br>- Canadian Journal of History

The Military Campaigns of the Civil War Series . . . has led the way in challenging scholars and Civil War enthusiasts to rethink the way in which military history is analyzed. . . . An exceptionally strong collection.--Civil War Book Review This book is of real interest. The writing is good, the research strong.--Louisiana History This one belongs in the library of every student of the Civil War.--Civil War History [The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862] will interest both the knowledgeable and casual reader, the dedicated military scholar and the more general reader alike. . . . Well researched and interestingly written.--Canadian Journal of History Throughout this book I found myself exclaiming, 'I didn't know that!' and 'Well, that's a wholly new way of looking at this event!' and 'This changes my way of thinking about the Valley campaign.' Such exclamations are, to my way of thinking, signs of a worthwhile book.--Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star A valuable look on an important aspect of the war in the East in 1862.--The NYMAS Review Anyone looking for new insight into the 1862 Valley campaign or for models of innovative and compelling research should read this volume.--Journal of Military History Offer[s] valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory.--McCormick Messenger

Throughout this book I found myself exclaiming, 'I didn't know that!' and 'Well, that's a wholly new way of looking at this event!' and 'This changes my way of thinking about the Valley campaign.' Such exclamations are, to my way of thinking, signs of a

The Military Campaigns of the Civil War Series . . . has led the way in challenging scholars and Civil War enthusiasts to rethink the way in which military history is analyzed. . . . An exceptionally strong collection.--Civil War Book Review A valuable look on an important aspect of the war in the East in 1862.--The NYMAS Review Offer[s] valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory.--McCormick Messenger Throughout this book I found myself exclaiming, 'I didn't know that!' and 'Well, that's a wholly new way of looking at this event!' and 'This changes my way of thinking about the Valley campaign.' Such exclamations are, to my way of thinking, signs of a worthwhile book.--Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star This book is of real interest. The writing is good, the research strong.--Louisiana History This one belongs in the library of every student of the Civil War.--Civil War History Anyone looking for new insight into the 1862 Valley campaign or for models of innovative and compelling research should read this volume.--Journal of Military History [The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862] will interest both the knowledgeable and casual reader, the dedicated military scholar and the more general reader alike. . . . Well researched and interestingly written.--Canadian Journal of History

This one belongs in the library of every student of the Civil War. -- Civil War History

Author Information

Gary W. Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor of History at the University of Virginia. He is author, most recently, of Lee and His Army in Confederate History.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available