Civil War Road Trip, Volume I: A Guide to Northern Virginia, Maryland & Pennsylvania, 1861-1863: First Manassas to Gettysburg (Vol. 1) PDF Download

Author: Michael Weeks
Publisher: The Countryman Press
ISBN: 1581578679
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 515

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Book Description
The new, amazingly detailed, and thorough guide from the author of The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide. Although the Civil War was fought across America, the most captivating events for history buff s seem to be those that occurred in the relatively small region surrounding the two wartime capitals, Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. In The Civil War Road Trip: A Guide to Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, author Michael Weeks takes you on complete tours of every major military campaign in the region during the first two years of the war, from First Manassas in 1861 to Gettysburg in 1863. Weeks has visited every site included here, learning their vibrant stories and driving thousands of miles to bring readers the most accurate information. Detailed directions and maps for your own road trip, along with a blow-by-blow history of each campaign, will guide you to and through some of the war’s most critical battlegrounds, including Fredericksburg, Antietam, and the Shenandoah Valley. Travel tips, historic lodging places, and further sources of information are also included. Fully up to date and thoroughly researched, this guidebook is indispensable for travelers interested in America’s history.

Author: Michael Weeks
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 0881509531
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The new, amazingly detailed, and thorough guide from the author of The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide. Although the Civil War was fought across America, the most captivating events for history buff s seem to be those that occurred in the relatively small region surrounding the two wartime capitals, Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. In The Civil War Road Trip: A Guide to Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, author Michael Weeks takes you on complete tours of every major military campaign in the region during the first two years of the war, from First Manassas in 1861 to Gettysburg in 1863. Weeks has visited every site included here, learning their vibrant stories and driving thousands of miles to bring readers the most accurate information. Detailed directions and maps for your own road trip, along with a blow-by-blow history of each campaign, will guide you to and through some of the war’s most critical battlegrounds, including Fredericksburg, Antietam, and the Shenandoah Valley. Travel tips, historic lodging places, and further sources of information are also included. Fully up to date and thoroughly researched, this guidebook is indispensable for travelers interested in America’s history.

Author: Michael Weeks
Publisher: The Countryman Press
ISBN: 0881509841
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 507

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Book Description
In this second volume of Michael Weeks’ thoroughly researched guide to the battlefields of the Civil War, you will find complete tours of every major military campaign in the region from 1863 to 1865. In this second volume of Michael Weeks' thoroughly researched guide to the battlefields of the Civil War, you will find complete tours of every major military campaign in the region from 1863 to 1865, from the battles immediately following the great clash at Gettysburg to the fall of Richmond and the Appomattox campaign. Detailed directions and maps, along with a detailed history of each campaign, will guide you to and through some of the war's most critical battlegrounds, including The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Lynchburg and the battle for Richmond. A section devoted to commands and commanders tells the life stories of the famous and the little-known; an explanation of military structure, orders of battle, and the various military units helps you keep track of the course of events and the key players. Travel tips and further sources of information are also included to help your explorations run smoothly.

Author: Michael Weeks
Publisher: The Countryman Press
ISBN: 158157553X
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 528

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Book Description
The definitive guidebook for Civil War tourists, from the novice historian to the die-hard buff For those who can’t resist trying to see it all, this indispensable book contains information on and reviews of almost 450 historical sites across the United States related to the Civil War, including all 384 of the principal battlefields listed by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission. Every entry includes an in-depth overview of the history of the battle and its importance to the war, the must-see places at each site, as well as lodging and other travel information. Outlining ten suggested itineraries for short road trips that cover every major battle of the war, The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide enables historical travelers of any level to experience the Civil War as no other book has done.

Author: Michael Weeks
Publisher: The Countryman Press
ISBN: 1581579519
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 507

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Book Description
The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide is the definitive guidebook for Civil War tourists, from the novice historian to the die-hard Civil War buff. The book outlines ten suggested itineraries for short road trips that cover every major battle of the war that will enable a traveler to experience this definitive period of American history. For those who can’t resist trying to see it all, the book contains complete information on and reviews of almost 450 historical sites across the United States related to the Civil War, including all 384 of the principal battlefields listed by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, as well as lodging and other travel information. The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide will enable the historical traveler of any level to experience the Civil War like no other book has done.

Author: Scott L. Mingus
Publisher: Savas Beatie
ISBN: 1611215854
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description
Scott L. Mingus Sr. and Eric J. Wittenberg, the authors of more than forty Civil War books, have once again teamed up to present a history of the opening moves of the Gettysburg Campaign in the two-volume study “If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania”: The Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac March to Gettysburg. This compelling study is one of the first to integrate the military, media, political, social, economic, and civilian perspectives with rank-and-file accounts from the soldiers of both armies as they inexorably march toward their destiny at Gettysburg. This first installment covers June 3–21, 1863, while the second, spanning June 22–30, completes the march and carries the armies to the eve of the fighting. Gen. Robert E. Lee began moving part of his Army of Northern Virginia from the Old Dominion toward Pennsylvania on June 3, 1863. Lee believed his army needed to win a major victory on Northern soil if the South was to have a chance at winning the war. Transferring the fighting out of war-torn Virginia would allow the state time to heal while he supplied his army from untapped farms and stores in Maryland and the Keystone State. Lee had also convinced Pres. Jefferson Davis that his offensive would interfere with the Union effort to take Vicksburg in Mississippi. The bold movement would trigger extensive cavalry fighting and a major battle at Winchester before culminating in the bloody three-day battle at Gettysburg. As the Virginia army moved north, the Army of the Potomac responded by protecting the vital roads to Washington, D.C., in case Lee turned to threaten the capital. Opposing presidents Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, meanwhile, kept a close watch on the latest and often conflicting military intelligence gathered in the field. Throughout northern Virginia, central Maryland, and south-central Pennsylvania, meanwhile, civilians and soldiers alike struggled with the reality of a mobile campaign and the massive logistical needs of the armies. Thousands left written accounts of the passage of the long martial columns. Mingus and Wittenberg mined hundreds of primary accounts, newspapers, and other sources to produce this powerful and gripping account. As readers will quickly learn, much of it is glossed over in other studies of the campaign, which cannot be fully understood without a firm appreciation of what the armies (and civilians) did on their way to the small crossroads town in Pennsylvania.

Author: Robert Orrison
Publisher: Savas Beatie
ISBN: 1611212448
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
A guide to the Gettysburg Civil War battlefields and their history, featuring lesser-known sites, side trips, and optional stops along the way. "I thought my men were invincible,” admitted Robert E. Lee. A string of battlefield victories through 1862 had culminated in the spring of 1863 with Lee’s greatest victory yet: the battle of Chancellorsville. Propelled by the momentum of that supreme moment, confident in the abilities of his men, Lee decided to once more take the fight to the Yankees and launched this army on another invasion of the North. An appointment with destiny awaited in the little Pennsylvania college town of Gettysburg. Historian Dan Welch follows in the footsteps of the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac as the two foes cat-and-mouse their way northward, ultimately clashing in the costliest battle in North American history. Based on the Gettysburg Civil War Trails, and packed with dozens of lesser-known sites related to the Gettysburg Campaign, The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign offers the ultimate Civil War road trip. “Orrison and Welch have created something different. Historians must search for innovative ways to engage the public on the battle’s relevance. This book offers a new experience for tourists—one that enriches their visit to the site of one of the most consequential battles in American history.” —Matt Arendt, TCU, for Gettysburg Magazine “Shows a deep knowledge of the subject and the style of writing is clear and easy to follow . . . buy this book!” —Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy

Author: Eric J. Wittenberg
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 193271443X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 690

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Book Description
The titanic three-day battle of Gettysburg left 50,000 casualties in its wake, a battered Southern army far from its base of supplies, and a rich historiographic legacy. Thousands of books and articles cover nearly every aspect of the battle, but not a single volume focuses on the military aspects of the monumentally important movements of the armies to and across the Potomac River. One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863 is the first detailed military history of Lee's retreat and the Union effort to catch and destroy the wounded Army of Northern Virginia. Against steep odds and encumbered with thousands of casualties, Confederate commander Robert E. Lee's post-battle task was to successfully withdraw his army across the Potomac River. Union commander George G. Meade's equally difficult assignment was to intercept the effort and destroy his enemy. The responsibility for defending the exposed Southern columns belonged to cavalry chieftain James Ewell Brown (Jeb) Stuart. If Stuart fumbled his famous ride north to Gettysburg, his generalship during the retreat more than redeemed his flagging reputation. The ten days of retreat triggered nearly two dozen skirmishes and major engagements, including fighting at Granite Hill, Monterey Pass, Hagerstown, Williamsport, Funkstown, Boonsboro, and Falling Waters. President Abraham Lincoln was thankful for the early July battlefield victory, but disappointed that General Meade was unable to surround and crush the Confederates before they found safety on the far side of the Potomac. Exactly what Meade did to try to intercept the fleeing Confederates, and how the Southerners managed to defend their army and ponderous 17-mile long wagon train of wounded until crossing into western Virginia on the early morning of July 14, is the subject of this study One Continuous Fight draws upon a massive array of documents, letters, diaries, newspaper accounts, and published primary and secondary sources. These long-ignored foundational sources allow the authors, each widely known for their expertise in Civil War cavalry operations, to describe carefully each engagement. The result is a rich and comprehensive study loaded with incisive tactical commentary, new perspectives on the strategic role of the Southern and Northern cavalry, and fresh insights on every engagement, large and small, fought during the retreat. The retreat from Gettysburg was so punctuated with fighting that a soldier felt compelled to describe it as "One Continuous Fight." Until now, few students fully realized the accuracy of that description. Complimented with 18 original maps, dozens of photos, and a complete driving tour with GPS coordinates of the entire retreat, One Continuous Fight is an essential book for every student of the American Civil War in general, and for the student of Gettysburg in particular. About the Authors: Eric J. Wittenberg has written widely on Civil War cavalry operations. His books include Glory Enough for All (2002), The Union Cavalry Comes of Age (2003), and The Battle of Monroe's Crossroads and the Civil War's Final Campaign (2005). He lives in Columbus, Ohio. J. David Petruzzi is the author of several magazine articles on Eastern Theater cavalry operations, conducts tours of cavalry sites of the Gettysburg Campaign, and is the author of the popular "Buford's Boys" website at www.bufordsboys.com. Petruzzi lives in Brockway, Pennsylvania. A long time student of the Gettysburg Campaign, Michael Nugent is a retired US Army Armored Cavalry Officer and the descendant of a Civil War Cavalry soldier. He has previously written for several military publications. Nugent lives in Wells, Maine.

Author: Scott L. Mingus
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1611214629
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 345

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“Anyone who is interested in Civil War logistics, wartime railroads, and the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania needs to read this study.” —Eric J. Wittenberg, award-winning historian and author The Civil War was the first conflict in which railroads played a major role. Although much has been written about their role in general, little has been written about specific lines. The Cumberland Valley Railroad, for example, played an important strategic role by connecting Hagerstown, Maryland to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its location enhanced its importance during some of the Civil War’s most critical campaigns. Because of its proximity to major cities in the Eastern Theater, the Cumberland Valley Railroad was an enticing target for Confederate leaders and an invaluable resource for the Union Army. In October 1859, abolitionist John Brown used the CVRR in his fateful Harpers Ferry raid. The line was under direct threat by invading Confederates during the Antietam Campaign, and the following summer suffered serious damage during the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1864, Rebel raiders burned much of its headquarters town, Chambersburg, including the homes of many CVRR employees. The railroad was as vital to residents of the bustling and fertile Cumberland Valley as it was to the Union war effort. Targeted Tracks is grounded on the railway’s voluminous reports, the letters and diaries of local residents and Union and Confederate soldiers, official reports, and newspaper accounts. The primary sources, combined with the expertise of the authors, bring this largely untold story to life. “Mingus and Wingert have done a splendid job telling the story of the industrial, economic, social, and military history of the CVRR . . . engaging.” —Ted Alexander, chief historian (ret.), Antietam National Battlefield

Author: Steve French
Publisher: Savas Publishing
ISBN: 1940669022
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description
John Daniel Imboden carved out one of the most unique and fascinating careers of the Civil War. In 1859, the lawyer and politician was commissioned a captain in the Staunton (Va.) Artillery. When war broke out in 1861, he served with his battery at Harpers Ferry and First Manassas. In 1862, Imboden raised the 1st Virginia Partisan Rangers and fought in Stonewall Jackson's famed Shenandoah Valley Campaign. A promotion to brigadier general followed in early 1863, as did daring cavalry raids. Imboden served until the end of the war, but it was his service during the Gettysburg Campaign for which he is best remembered. Steve French's Imboden's Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign, the winner of the 2008 Bachelder-Coddington Award, the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Book Award, and the Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal, is the first full-length book to tell the story of the general's "finest hour." The brigadier and his 1400-man Northwestern Virginia brigade, which included artillery, infantry and cavalry, spent most of the early days of the campaign raiding along the B&O Railroad in western Virginia, before guarding ammunition and supply trains in the rear of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during the three-day (July 1-3, 1863) Battle of Gettysburg. The sharp Confederate defeat forced a hasty retreat , and Lee put Imboden in charge of escorting the wagons filled with thousands of wounded safely back to Virginia. After a harrowing journey beset by heavy rain and attacks by roving bands of Union cavalry, Imboden's seventeen-mile-long "wagon train of misery" finally reached Williamsport, Maryland, where the flooding Potomac River trapped them. On July 5-6, Imboden established a strong defensive position on a ridge outside of town and cobbled together a force of soldiers that included his own brigade, various Confederate units on their way to join the army, 600 teamsters, many walking wounded and over twenty cannons. Demonstrating sound judgment and outstanding bravery, this hastily organized force beat back attacks by two Union cavalry divisions in the "Wagoners Fight." Imboden's efforts saved the wagon train and thousands of men who would otherwise have been captured or killed. General Lee praised Imboden and reported that he "gallantly repulsed" the enemy troopers. French's Imboden's Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign is based on scores of archival sources, newspaper accounts, and an excellent understanding of the terrain. The dozens of maps, photos, and illustrations, coupled with French's smooth prose, tells in riveting detail the full story of the often forgotten but absolutely critical role Imboden and his men played during the final fateful days of the Gettysburg Campaign.