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Chickamauga and Chattanooga: The Battles That Doomed the Confederacy
The author, born in 1928, explains that his grandfather, born in 1840, fought at Chickamauga (the late fatherhood of both his grandfather and father allowed such a span of time between generations). Bowers's evocation of the famous battles is fired with his personal connection to the Civil War and to his childhood memories of life in the South in a culture of horses rather than cars a culture not too far removed from that of his Civil War ancestors. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Hardcover
First published April 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 21, 2014
At times the overall narrative gets lost amongst all the folksy stories and details (this book might be best for those already familiar with the general story of the battles), but in the end I did learn a lot about the Civil War history of the area I now call home. I don't particularly enjoy reading about troop movements and battle tactics, since doing so usually elicits an odd mix of boredom and horror from me, but the stories and anecdotes about the generals made this an enjoyable read overall. This isn't the kind of book that focuses much on regular soldiers or non-military folks, nor is there much in the way of big picture historical hypotheses, although Bowers does suggest that Chickamauga and Chattanooga were the beginning of the end of the Confederate cause.
May 29, 2020
It is unusual to read books on Civil War history where the author is as conflicted as this one with regards to the outcome of the battles involved. The author makes it clear that he is descended from one of the Confederates who fought in these battles and that he would obviously not exist had the battles gone a different way. Yet while the author clearly laments the way that the emptiness of the victory of Chickamauga and the decisiveness of the defeat of Chattanooga led inexorably to the defeat of Southern arms through the invasion of the Deep South by Sherman, at the same time the author is himself clearly of the opinion that the causes for which the Confederacy fought concerning racial supremacy and rebellion against authority were themselves unjust, even if he is quick to point out the nobility of the diverse Southerners he discusses. Just as the Civil War found the nation divided, and some states and families found themselves divided as well, so too the author's own mind is divided, and makes him a fitting example of the sort of division that this book celebrates so ambivalently.
This book is about 250 pages long or so and it is divided into eleven chapters. The book begins with the Battle of Stones River and the failure of Bragg to defeat Rosecrans and the heavy losses that were suffered by both armies that led to months of stasis (1). After that the book discusses Rosecrans' successful maneuvering of Bragg out of Central Tennessee which led to a frantic response by the South to reinforce Bragg (2). The increased strength of Bragg's army led to an attack on the widely scattered Union corps that sought to unite in defense (3), which led at first to a fiercely fought first day of battle (4) in which the South had slightly the upper hand (5). After that a gap in the lines led to a successful rebel assault that swept half of the Union army way (6) and that led to ferocious fighting where Thomas was able to hold off the Confederates long enough to save the army in its retreat to Chattanooga (7). After that the author discusses the siege of the Army of the Tennessee (8) as well as the hostility in the Confederate officer corps that led to the dispersion of the rebel army (9). Naturally, defeat followed (10), and the author views the rebel cause as doomed from this point (11).
It is not surprising that this book is a companion volume that talks about two sequential battles, seeing that one is the immediate cause of the other. There is a fair amount of setup here as the author talks about the Battle of Stones River and the movement of first Southern and then Northern troops to the area to attempt to reverse or confirm the successful conquest of Chattanooga. The author praises the bravery of soldiers on all sides and points out the ways that the leading generals Rosecrans and Bragg suffered from flaws that hindered their ability to gain success, and also discusses the divisions between both the armies among themselves, because of personal disagreements as well as because of regional differences within the Union and Confederacy. The result is a fascinating if somewhat melancholy tale where the author is able to praise a Southern Unionist like Thomas to a great degree and try to resolve his ambivalence about the Civil War and its results. And if you care about the battles of the Western front of the Civil War there is a lot to appreciate here. This is definitely a worthwhile volume, and one that has a lot of detail to share about the campaign as a whole and its context.
This book is about 250 pages long or so and it is divided into eleven chapters. The book begins with the Battle of Stones River and the failure of Bragg to defeat Rosecrans and the heavy losses that were suffered by both armies that led to months of stasis (1). After that the book discusses Rosecrans' successful maneuvering of Bragg out of Central Tennessee which led to a frantic response by the South to reinforce Bragg (2). The increased strength of Bragg's army led to an attack on the widely scattered Union corps that sought to unite in defense (3), which led at first to a fiercely fought first day of battle (4) in which the South had slightly the upper hand (5). After that a gap in the lines led to a successful rebel assault that swept half of the Union army way (6) and that led to ferocious fighting where Thomas was able to hold off the Confederates long enough to save the army in its retreat to Chattanooga (7). After that the author discusses the siege of the Army of the Tennessee (8) as well as the hostility in the Confederate officer corps that led to the dispersion of the rebel army (9). Naturally, defeat followed (10), and the author views the rebel cause as doomed from this point (11).
It is not surprising that this book is a companion volume that talks about two sequential battles, seeing that one is the immediate cause of the other. There is a fair amount of setup here as the author talks about the Battle of Stones River and the movement of first Southern and then Northern troops to the area to attempt to reverse or confirm the successful conquest of Chattanooga. The author praises the bravery of soldiers on all sides and points out the ways that the leading generals Rosecrans and Bragg suffered from flaws that hindered their ability to gain success, and also discusses the divisions between both the armies among themselves, because of personal disagreements as well as because of regional differences within the Union and Confederacy. The result is a fascinating if somewhat melancholy tale where the author is able to praise a Southern Unionist like Thomas to a great degree and try to resolve his ambivalence about the Civil War and its results. And if you care about the battles of the Western front of the Civil War there is a lot to appreciate here. This is definitely a worthwhile volume, and one that has a lot of detail to share about the campaign as a whole and its context.
May 23, 2016
I am not in the habit of picking up Civil War books. Not that I haven't read a few, I just get lost or tired of the tactical reconstructions. But, the author is John Bowers, a native son of Johnson City, where I live, whose grandfather fought there. I took a writing class with john Bowers a few years ago (1993?) and so I figured it was time to put the man to task! He passed. With flying colors.
I think what might separate this recounting of the story from others is that Bowers wants us to feel a certain flavor to the struggle. He is surprisingly a rebellious kind of guy in a rebellious kind of world. So much "rebel" in these parts strikes me as false clothing. I think Bowers sees the Civil War as the greater struggle of where the country was going to go and not as a romantic crusade against a changing world. He is offended at the idea of some group putting themselves above the larger issue of "us" as a whole. Being individual works fine, but in the end, who are we? Perhaps the greater "we" is why the battle ended the way it did.
This is not some romantic-Bedford Forest-to-the rescue revival, either. This is war at its grittiest. As does Winston Groom, Bowers wants us to remember that thousands died and thousands more were wounded, which was almost like death. But, while he acknowledges the Confederate soldiers' bravery, he bashes the leadership, he labels the cause as foolhardy, but paid for with blood.
I was impressed by his depth of research. I suggest that the reader, however, also try a few other Civil War books, too. It is easy to take each battle out of context of the greater struggle and what was perhaps a fairly certain outcome. What Bowers suggests very strongly, it that the outcome of this particular battle was never certain and for a few "ifs" history would ready differently. Except, of course, . . . .
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I think what might separate this recounting of the story from others is that Bowers wants us to feel a certain flavor to the struggle. He is surprisingly a rebellious kind of guy in a rebellious kind of world. So much "rebel" in these parts strikes me as false clothing. I think Bowers sees the Civil War as the greater struggle of where the country was going to go and not as a romantic crusade against a changing world. He is offended at the idea of some group putting themselves above the larger issue of "us" as a whole. Being individual works fine, but in the end, who are we? Perhaps the greater "we" is why the battle ended the way it did.
This is not some romantic-Bedford Forest-to-the rescue revival, either. This is war at its grittiest. As does Winston Groom, Bowers wants us to remember that thousands died and thousands more were wounded, which was almost like death. But, while he acknowledges the Confederate soldiers' bravery, he bashes the leadership, he labels the cause as foolhardy, but paid for with blood.
I was impressed by his depth of research. I suggest that the reader, however, also try a few other Civil War books, too. It is easy to take each battle out of context of the greater struggle and what was perhaps a fairly certain outcome. What Bowers suggests very strongly, it that the outcome of this particular battle was never certain and for a few "ifs" history would ready differently. Except, of course, . . . .
###
August 20, 2016
This was a quick easy mostly enjoyable read. Having had read many (ok maybe more than many) books on the Civil War this one is probably less geared for the scholarly audience. The author writes in more of a modern conversational opinionated style (sorry I can't really think of the best way to describe it), and while some readers may find it refreshing I felt it didn't always do the history and storytelling justice. I also need to fault the writer a little bit for many big broad claims about the importance of the events, but never really to justify the claims. For instance if the Confederates routed the Union at Chickamauga, why did that battle loose the overall war for them? I prefer my Civil War books a little more detailed (with more and much better maps) but I didn't have any real big issues with this read.
September 16, 2019
This author's grandfather fought at Chickamauga and these early social memories fired the author up to work on several Civil War books. This is an enjoyable read with discussion of personalities and strategies used by both sides in these battles. They were bloody contests and their worth is measured by the effects they generated for both sides. Author Bowers goes through the main events and geographical locations as well as a time line for the fighting in both close-by areas of Tennessee and Georgia. His language is real and sympathetic and fosters in the reader the horrors of the fighting as well as the exhilaration from a hard-fought victory. I recommend this to readers interested in these pivotal Civil War battles.
April 19, 2021
This book feels like heritage. As if written by a great great grandparent of mine. I grew up going to
Chattanooga and Look out mountain. I have countless pictures sitting on the old cannons.
It’s right to know the history of the area we grow up in. I’m from East Tennessee so naturally I want to know more of what happened in these areas.
I will say the facts are well thought out but the reading is not too story like. It doesn’t hook me into the history the whole way thru. I found some facts interesting but almost wished for more heart in the telling.
I also wished their could have been more pictures of the time period included. More of Chattanooga and East Tennessee.
Chattanooga and Look out mountain. I have countless pictures sitting on the old cannons.
It’s right to know the history of the area we grow up in. I’m from East Tennessee so naturally I want to know more of what happened in these areas.
I will say the facts are well thought out but the reading is not too story like. It doesn’t hook me into the history the whole way thru. I found some facts interesting but almost wished for more heart in the telling.
I also wished their could have been more pictures of the time period included. More of Chattanooga and East Tennessee.
September 29, 2024
It's a bit hard reading a pro south book that's from a few decades ago. Some of the scholarly parts of this book seem dated. It was a good read though.
December 1, 2024
Very well written and in an almost narrative, story-like manner. Overall it is a nice overview of a pivotal point in the war, even if it is a bit light and fast and loose with facts at times.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews