The Appomattox Campaign: March 29 - April 9, 1865

Great Campaigns

by Chris M. Calkins

Previous accounts of the Civil War's last major campaign have often neglected the actual maneuvers and tactics of the units involved. This new addition to the Great Campaigns series features a tactical approach to the final drama of the Civil War. Innovative maps, sidebars and charts complement a dramatic narrative. The fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the last battles at Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, and Dinwiddie Court House, and the final surrender at Appomattox are all described by an author whose knowledge of the historical sources is equaled by his familiarity with the area over which the armies marched and fought.The author provides a day-to-day narrative of this fascinating campaign, with a series of specially commissioned maps that make clear the complex series of maneuvers that finally brought Lee's beleaguered army to bay. Special sidebars highlight many incidents and personalities of the campaign, including never-before-published information on African-Americans in Confederate service. Record-keeping, especially for the Confederates, was difficult in the last hectic days of the war, and readers will find here the most complete order of battle available for both sides.

Genres: Civil War, American Civil War, Civil War Eastern Theater, History, Appomattox Campaign

240 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 1997

About the author

Former park ranger at Petersburg National Battlefield. Currently head ranger at Sailors Creek Battlefield State Park.

Reviews

[John Matthew IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the final week or so of the war in Virginia. It was a bit hard to follow all the details -- and there are lots of details.

p. 41: On General Gouverneur Warren: "The stigma of Five Forks followed the 'hero of Gettysburg' to the grave. There was no military funeral and the general was buried in civilian attire."

p. 80: Draymen: "Historically the driver of a dray, a low, flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled generally by horses or mules that were used to transport all kinds of goods." - Wikipedia

p. 135: Longstreet's response to Lee about Grant's surrender offer: "Not yet."

p. 165-7: General Custer: "We will listen to no terms but that of unconditional surrender. We are behind your army now and it is at our mercy."

p. 167: Longstreet to Custer: "Go ahead and have all the bloodshed he wanted."

p. 171: Lee on why he dressed so well: "I have probably to be General Grant's prisoner, and I must make my best appearance."

p. 178: "The Confederates are now our prisoners, and we do not want to exult over their downfall."

p. 179: John Wise on Robert E. Lee: "It revealed him as a man who had sacrificed everything to perform a conscientious duty against his judgement ... at the call of his State he had laid his life and fame and fortune at her feet, and served her faithfully to the last."

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introductory book on the final Virginia campaign. The final paragraph today feels like it was written in another world.

"The story of the final days of the war in Virginia can best be described in the words of a historian who wrote: "We cannot blame the officers and men who participated in the drama of Appomattox for the social and cultural wreckage that followed the surrender. The human spirit rose to great heights on that memorable occasion and the memory of it still towers over the materialism that precipitated and followed it. The humanity of Lincoln was present, and so, too, the chivalry and gentleness of Grant and Lee and Chamberlain and Gordon. . . ." This is the legacy of our Civil War which is left to us today."

[Shelly♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Chris Calkins puts together a wonderful day by day summary of the last campaign in Virginia as Lee tries to make his escape to North Carolina from the lines of Petersburg. The book is very easy to read, and specific about which groups of troops are engaged, which makes it easy for those tracking units through these last battles. Also included are helpful and interesting stories about other components and events outside the scope of the campaign, like the death of A. P. Hill, the geography of Southside Virginia, Warren's Court of Inquiry and more. This is a very good introduction to all the events between March 29 and April 9, 1865.

[John Danek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good historical reference book. There are scattered personal vignettes among pages of specific regimental positions and movements, along with their respective commanders. Familiarity with the south-central region of the state of Virginia would be helpful to the reader. The cartography is fair. While it would not be among the first dozen books that I would recommend to the casual reader of The American Civil War, it has a place in the library of the more serious student of The War of the Rebellion.

[William Guerrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

With over 40 years service as a National Park Ranger at Petersburg National Battlefield and as the superintendent at Sailor's Creek State Battlefield Park, Chris Calkins is the foremost authority on the Appomattox Campaign. So naturally this book is a reliable reference for those studying the campaign. The emphasis here is on the facts, not on telling an engaging story. It is a book is designed to inform, not to entertain.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good narrative of the campaign with some interesting sidebars, such as the one on Thomas Smythe and James Dearing.

[Tomlikeslife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information on who marched where which makes for some boring passages.