Mountains Touched With Fire : Chattanooga Besieged, 1863

Rating:
Summary: Chattanooga...The beginning of the end of the Confederacy
Review: Wiley Sword has written a very compelling and totally engrossing book on the Battles for Chattanooga in 1863. Mr. Sword takes you to the front lines of both sides and makes you feel that you are a part of the action as you read his stirring narrative. The book chronicles the horrible state of the Army of the Cumberland directly after the dreadful loss at Chickamauga. Sword also portrays the hard times suffered by the Army of Tennessee as the long siege of Chattanooga begins in September of that year. Mr. Sword's pen puts you on the front lines of both armies. You get the soldiers' perspective here...all of the horror, suffering and yes, humor that the boys in the western theater realized that late fall of 1863. The triumph of this book are the chapters dealing with the assault of Missionary Ridge by George Thomas's troops on the 25th of November. I was mesmerized by Sword's account, and have finally come to realize the great contributions ! ! that the Army of the Cumberland had made throughout those bloody years of our history. Sword's narrative brings to life the heroism of that day, and finally puts a spotlight on that Grand Army of the West, who unfortunately have not received the recognition they so richly deserve and have earned as we approach the 135th anniversary of this great struggle. A must for all buffs, and history fans, Sword presents an entirely fair and accurate depiction of the events that took place in Southeastern Tennessee all those years ago. I would have rated this book a five, but the maps included with the text were very ordinary, and too small. They did not aid in telling the story, and for that reason I was disappointed.