Gunner in Lee's Army: The Civil War Letters of Thomas Henry Carter

The diarists and memorialists of the Civil War from both sides give copious information on their branches of service; infantry, foot artillery, cavalry, however, few who served in the horse artillery wrote of their experiences. Thankfully George Neese of the Confederate Horse Artillery left his diary entries to posterity affording the reader an intimate, honest look into this neglected arm. Neese enlisted in Chew’s battery in 1861, and would fight in that unit until his capture in 1864. He and his comrades fought under Jackson in the famed Valley campaign at Kernstown and Cedar Mountain; under Stuart he was engaged heavily at the Battle of Brandy Station. Later in the war under Imboden he saw action at the retreat from Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spotslvania and the ‘Crater’. His capture and imprisonment at the notorious Point Lookout prison are particularly poignant reminders of the brutality of war. Highly recommended.

Includes Civil War Map and Illustrations Pack - 224 battle plans, campaign maps and detailed analyses of actions spanning the entire period of hostilities. An excellent memoir from one of Stonewall Jackson’s artillery officers who fought throughout the Civil War until final defeat. Born in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1835, the opening of the Civil War found William T. Poague practicing law in Missouri. As the first shots began flying he repaired to his home state to offer his services to the Confederate army. He started his army life as a second lieutenant in the famous Rockbridge Virginia Artillery and would fight with gallantry, courage and great skill on many Civil War battlefields. He was engaged at First Manassas, Romney, Kernstown, the Seven Days Campaign, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Harper’s Ferry Antietam, and Fredericksberg. By this time his distinguished conduct had led him to be promoted to Major and fought on at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor before the final surrender at Appomattox. This edition was edited by noted Civil War historian Monroe F. Cockerell and has an excellent introduction by Bell Irwin Wiley.

Contains more than 20 maps, diagrams and illustrations Although "Fighting Joe" Hooker skillfully executes a well-conceived plan and out-flanks his adversary, months of offensive planning are shelved as he suddenly orders his army on the defensive. Lee seizes the initiative and achieves what has often been called his most brilliant victory. How could this happen when Hooker's army outnumbers that of Lee 2 to 1 and is far superior in artillery and logistics? Answers to these and other questions concerning leadership, communications, use of terrain, and the psychology of men in battle, are often found by personal reconnaissance of the battlefield. This book offers a staff ride briefing of Chancellorsville. Since 1906 staff rides have been used to in the education of U.S. Army officers to narrow the gap between peacetime training and war.

Includes more than 14 maps and Illustrations Armies of the North and South fought the Battle of Wilson’s Creek about ten miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday, 10 Aug. 1861...While the action at Wilson’s Creek was small compared to that at Gettysburg or Chickamauga, it remains significant and useful to students of military history. ...The Union defeat in battle and the death of General Nathaniel Lyon, so closely following the disaster at First Bull Run, caused the North to adopt a more serious attitude about the war and to realize that victory would come only with detailed planning and proper resourcing. Thus, the Union reinforced Missouri with soldiers and weapons during the fall and winter of 1861-62, while the Confederacy applied its scanty resources elsewhere. Although the exiled pro-Confederate state government voted to secede and sent delegates to Richmond, Virginia, Missouri effectively remained in the Union. Any questions about Missouri’s fate were settled at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, when Union forces turned back the last significant Confederate threat to Missouri. Wilson’s Creek was a “first battle” for most of the soldiers who fought there. First battles often provide armies with special insights into the application of military art and science, and Wilson’s Creek was no exception. The Mexican War model of organization and combined arms battle was generally confirmed, but some key observations relating to technology and command and control emerged as well...In addition, artillery proved decisive at several key moments during the fighting. Cavalry, on its part, proved to be much less valuable, and this fact hinted at lessons to be learned later in the Civil War. Ultimately, the infantry of both sides played out the drama, and many of the most useful insights came from that branch.