The Battle of South Mountain

by John David Hoptak

Join historian John Hoptak as he narrates the critical Battle of South Mountain, long overshadowed by the Battle of Antietam.
In September 1862, Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia north of the Potomac River for the time as part of his Northern invasion, seeking a quick end to the war. Lee divided his army in three, sending General James Longstreet north to Hagerstown and Stonewall Jackson south to Harper's Ferry. It was at three mountain passes, referred to as South Mountain, that Lee's army met the Federal forces commanded by General George B. McClellan on September 14. In a fierce day-long battle spread out across miles of rugged, mountainous terrain, McClellan defeated Lee but the Confederates did tie up the Federals long enough to allow Jackson's conquest of Harper's Ferry.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent detailed account of the battles along South Mountain. In depth analysis including troop placement and movement, with many individual details of personal accounts. Would give 4.5 stars if allowed. The only negative is the lack of timely and quality maps within the context of the narrative.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a well done history

Too often a footnote in the Maryland Campaign of 1862, or the opening chapters of a work on Antietam, this little gem sets up and tells in a straightforward manner the several facets of the Battle at South Maryland.
A thoroughly believable explanation of why Franklin and the sixth corp was unable to raise the siege of Harper’s Ferry.

[Joel Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, straightforward introduction to the battle which preceded Antietam, with hand-drawn maps by Antietam battlefield Ranger Mannie Gentile, part of the History Press' Civil War Sesquicentennial series.