The Fredericksburg Campaign: Winter War on the Rappahannock

Rating:
Summary: Definitive Study of the Fredericksburg Campaign
Review: O'Reilly has written what I believe to be the best title on the bloody events of December 1862 by blending an obviously deep knowledge of the battle with an engaging writing style.

While the book is a long read (over 500 pages), the chapters seemed to flow smoothly and the book was able to keep my interest. Particularly compelling were the descriptions of the Union attack on the Confederate right along the railroad cut that while initially succesful, failed due to lack of reinforcements and the descriptions of the futile Union assaults on the stonewall in front of Mayre's Heights. After reading the bloody descriptions of several decaptitations and limbs blown off due to cannon fire and the deadly accurate fire of the Confederates, I frequently reflected on how grateful I was not to be one of the unfortunate souls ordered to certain death.

The author seems to be fair and accurate on both sides - the incompentency of Burnside and Franklin on the Union side (ordering futile assaults, not sending in reinforcements) and the carelessness of Hill and Gregg on the Confederate side (had troops at rest and stacked arms on the Confederate left at the time of the initially successful Union assault by Meade by the railroad cut.

On pages 355-356 O'Reilly describes Meade's reaction to the attack on the railroad cut: "George Meade seethed at the loss. Reynolds tried to soothe him but the implacable division commander snarled, "My God General Reynolds, did they think my division could whip Lee's entire army?" Meade retired to Franklin's headquarters, where inquirers foolishly asked how he had fared. He showed them his bullet-ruined hat and rejoined acidly, "I found it quite hot for me." Such a description caused me reflect on whether an event like this caused Meade to hesitate to attack Lee after the latter's repulse at Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg. While one can only speculate, such descriptions by O'Reilly engage the reader and will challenge you to think more about Civil War strategy (or lack thereof).

The only complaint I have is an issue common with many Civil War Campaign Studies - lack of maps. While the maps in O'Reilly's book were excellent, there could have easily been about 5-10 more. At times I was able to easily follow the flow of battle when an appropriate map was available to study while at other times I became lost because a map was not available to describe a particular action.

Complaint aside, I highly recommend the title as the definitive study of the tragic events around Fredericksburg in December 1862.

Read and enjoy!


Rating:
Summary: Plenty of Detail, Less Flow
Review: O'Reilly's book is certainly full of minute by minute details concerning the campaign's movements and the battle itself, but his writing style lacks good flow.

The book is comprehensive concerning Fredericksburg, but it's not as engaging as works done by authors like Sears and Rhea.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book was entertaining and informative from the moment I cracked the spine until I finished it. The book was well documented and written while conveying both a sense of grandeur and information in such a way that kept the reader engaged in this epic battle. There was little in this book that was dry or confused the reader. Overall I think it was a great book on the campaign and deserves a spot on the bookshelf of every serious reader on the Civil War. You will walk away better informed of the causes that led to the battle, its execution, and its impact after reading this book. The trial of the Army of the Potomac is brought vividly alive in this fast flowing easily read narrative.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book on a Relatively Unknown Civil War Battle
Review: This is an excellent book on a relatively unknown Civil War battle. The action on Prospect Hill was especially handled well detailing what happened to Meade's and Gibbon's Union Army Divisions and why they broke the line. I never recognized until reading this book, how close the Union Army was to winning this battle, if only reserves were provided in a timely fashion, and if only this action was started earlier. And, the reason why is astounding - Burnside couldn't make up his mind what to do until morning while his generals on that flank waited, and waited and waited.
And, the attack on Marye's Heights is also covered - one division after another going up the hill to get slaughtered (as shown so well in the movie Gods and Generals).
And, Burnside really didn't want to emphasize this part of the battle - he wanted to emphasize the Prospect Heights part - but didn't push it.
It clearly highlights the inadequate generals on the Union side and the sacrifice that the Union soldiers made.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This is the finest Civil War battle study done in many years. It is critical without being wantonly revisionist; it is vivid without being overwritten; it is human without being trite. The author has brought together artfully the three disciplines required to write compelling history: extensive research, thoughtful analysis, and excellent writing (a rare accomplishment in combination). This is an intense, almost minute-by-minute examination of the Battle of Fredericksburg--far exceeding anything else that's been done on the battle (or likely will be done). Where George Rable's excellent book looks at the battle in the broad picture, O'Reilly's book dissects the battle in a fashion rarely matched for any major event of the war (Gettysburg aside, of course).