The Shenandoah in Flames: The Valley Campaign of 1864 (Civil War Series)

Rating:
Summary: Phil Sheridan makes his reputation in the Shenandoah Valley
Review: "The Shenandoah in Flames," which looks at Phil Sheridan's Valley Campaign of 1864 makes a nice counterpart to "Decoying the Yanks," the earlier volume in the Time-Life Civil War series covering Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. Jackson pops up in the opening pictorial essay that talks about the Virginia Military Institute, where Jackson was an instructor. "The Valley Imperiled" tells how General Grant decided to move Union forces into the Shenandoah Valley in 1864 to force the Confederates to defend the state's richest farmland. Unfortunately, the commander of the Union forces, Major General Franz Sigel, who had risen to his rank because of politics rather than ability, and who was beaten by Gen. John C. Breckenridge's forces at the Battle of New Market. "'Black Dave's' Orgy of Fire" details the efforts of Sigel's replacement, Major General David Hunter, who had to abandon his attack on Lynchburg and almost lost the Union's hold the Valley. "To the Gates of Washington" finds Confederate commander Jubal Early try to put pressure on the Union capital after forcing Lew Wallace's outnumbered troops to retreat from their defensive position behind the Monocacy River. "I Want Sheridan" obviously tells how Grant finally found the right man for the job, placing the commander of the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps, Major General Philip Sheridan, in command of the four departments in the area. Sheridan proved his worth at the battle of Winchester. "Showdown at Cedar Creek" provides the historical context for the cover picture of Sheridan on his great horse Renzi rallying his troops after a surprise Confederate counterattack, which ended up being the last gasp of the Rebels in the Valley Campaign. When I was young I read a book called "Blow, Bugle, Blow," which told the story of a young Union shoulder who took part in Sheridan's Valley Campaign, so I especially enjoyed reading the "true story" of that event. The back of this volume has a fascinating set of contemporary artwork by James E. Taylor, a artist-correspondent for "Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper." These are reproduced with the original blue tinting, accompanied by Taylor's narrative of the Cedar Creek battle. Like all of the Time-Life Civil War volumes this won is illustrated from start to finish with historic paintings, etchings, and drawings as well as maps of the pivotal battles. I have had this series for years and I still enjoying looking through these volumes from time to time. The episodic approach, where a volume can focus on a particular campaign or battle like this, can be quite effective.