The Chancellorsville Campaign: The Nation’s High Water Mark
This slim volume is part of The History Press’ “Civil War Sesquicentennial Series” and is authored by James K. Bryant II who is on the Shenandoah University, Virginia, history faculty. The book is an overview of the campaign between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia from the end of the battle of Fredericksburg to the end of fighting in The Wilderness in May of 1863. Bryant in rapid fashion covers the change in leadership of the Northern army from Burnside to Hooker, the efforts of Fighting Joe to reform the dispirited Union force, his plans to outflank Lee from his Fredericksburg position and the ensuing battles. There are numerous photos of the major leaders on both sides and a few maps, including one of the action at Kelly’s Ford, the wounding of Jackson and of Salem Church. Unfortunately, the overall theater map is woefully inadequate being a much too small adaptation of a Battles and Leaders map. The sources cited are standard for a short study — secondary works, the ORs and printed memoirs. There are some factual errors scattered through the text such as its Romeyn Ayers for Ayres, but they really do not detract from the overall flow. That Bryant subtitles his book “The Nation’s High Water Mark” is interesting in relation to that oft-repeated assertion about Gettysburg and, to a lesser extent, other fights like Vicksburg and Antietam. His reasoning is that for the Confederacy it was, of course, Lee’s last offensive victory and for the Union, Hooker’s reforms set the framework for eventual triumph of the Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg and beyond. However, he does not offer enough evidence to make a good case, at least here. If one wishes a short recounting of the battle and campaign of Chancellorsville, this volume is both affordable and serviceable. Those wanting more in-depth study would still do well to consult recent works by Stephen Sears and Ernest Furgurson as well the classic by John Bigelow. Reviewer: Kenneth D. Williams is writing a book on the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers and is doing doctoral level work in American history. He has worked as a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. |
Illustrated, maps, notes, index, 157 pp., 2009. The History Press, 18 Percy St., Charleston SC 29403, www.historypress.net, $19.99 plus shipping.