Drama on the Rappahannock: The Fredericksburg Campaign

by Edward J. Stackpole

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Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Civil War Eastern Theater, Military History

297 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Edward J. Stackpole Jr. was an American newspaper publisher, businessman, author and military officer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A veteran of World War I and World War II, he attained the rank of major general, and was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, and Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters.

Stackpole was a native of Harrisburg, and was raised and educated in Harrisburg. He attended Harrisburg Academy and graduated from Yale University in 1915. After attending Citizens' Military Training Camps in 1915 and 1916, in 1917 he received his commission as a second lieutenant. He served with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 110th Infantry Regiment during the First World War, and received the Distinguished Service Cross and three awards of the Purple Heart. He continued to rise through the ranks of the National Guard and attained the rank of brigadier general in 1933, and major general in 1940. During the interwar years, his command assignments included the 104th Cavalry Regiment, 52nd Cavalry Brigade, and 22nd Cavalry Division.

During the Second World War, Stackpole accepted reduction in rank to brigadier general to enter active duty, and commanded the 56th Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 28th Infantry Division. Stackpole was subsequently assigned to lead the Panama Security Command, which staffed and managed early warning stations on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the Panama Canal to guard the canal from attack by the Axis powers. He later performed special duty on the War Department staff, and his wartime service was recognized with award of the Legion of Merit. After the war, he commanded the 28th Infantry Division during its reorganization as a Pennsylvania National Guard unit, and was again promoted to major general. He retired from the military in 1947, and in 1956 was promoted to lieutenant general on Pennsylvania's retired list.

In his civilian career, Stackpole was president of the Telegraph Press, which published the Harrisburg Telegraph. He was also president of the Stackpole Company book publishing firm, WHP Radio, and the Military Service Publishing Company, a publisher of military texts and training manuals. He was a director of American Aviation Publications, the Harrisburg Trust Company, the Harrisburg Hotel Company, and the Penn-Harris Hotel Company. As a civic activist, Stackpole was president of the board of trustees of the Pennsylvania School for Children of Veterans, and a member of the board of the Harrisburg Hospital and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce.

Stackpole was also an author who specialized in historical works about the American Civil War. He died in Harrisburg on October 1, 1967. Stackpole was buried at Harrisburg Cemetery in Harrisburg.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice interesting read. Well written and organized in the layout. Recommended

[Jeffrey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long standing Civil War historian Edward J. Stackpole covered a lot of essential ground in his 312-page treatment of the Fredericksburg battle of December 13, 1862.

Stackpole takes us inside the meetings with the key decision makers following the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam, the replacement of General McClellan and selection of General Burnside, along with the shift in strategy that led to the Battle of Fredericksburg.

This is very much a big picture book. Stackpole chooses to keep the focus on Burnside and his relationships with General-in-Chief Halleck, President Lincoln, and his Grand Division commanders, largely because Burnside was the aggressor in this action. He does set up Lee's defense of Fredericksburg superbly.

Because of the focus on the big picture, what is missing are the granular level details that most readers of military history enjoy. While heroic charges against stone walls are mentioned, they seem almost out of place as if Stackpole throws a couple of stories in just to satisfy the expectations of readers, not thar he has any great desires to litter his otherwise fine manuscript with such details. In other words, this just isn't that type of book to tell the stories at the regimental level, Stackpole recognizes that, but agrees to do it anyway in a couple of places just to satisfy reader expectations. He could have actually enhanced the book a little bit by putting in a little bit more detail here without spoiling the read or the effect, especially where the Mud March was concerned.

I am grateful that, even though this is about Fredericksburg, the narrative didn't end in December 1862. The story continued well into January 1863, and he tells it wonderfully, my previous comment notwithstanding. History shows us that Burnside's tenure as commander of the Army of the Potomac ended shortly after the Mud March. Stackpole picks the perfect place to end this volume.

I rate this book four-stars because of the long set up and the lack of granular level details, but really do appreciate Stackpole's analysis, which makes this battle easy to understand for the novice to the professional.

[Samuel Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read which provides an overall picture of the Battle of Fredericksburg, with special attention given to General Burnside’s shortcomings in his command of the situation and relationships with his subordinates.

The included battle maps are useful resources when slogging through some of the complex movements explained by Stackpole.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read that brings forth much but also leaves much in question as well for further research and debate.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not horrendously bad, this book doesn't go into as much detail as Winter on the Rappahannock . It also drifts off-topic at times; for example, the first chapter is an overview of the first year and a half of the war in Virginia. Also, an appendix lists the West Point graduates present at Fredericksburg, although I don't see what this had to do with understanding the battle.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noted historian Edward Stackpole expaimes the Fredericksburg campaign that took place during the American Civil War.

[Bill Freil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid

Solid analysis of the campaign. Good research, plenty of maps. The pictures don't look good on this digital format. Last chapter is good summation.