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O'Sullivan Chronicles #5
Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga in northwest Georgia took place over two days, the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. It was the climax of the Union’s first invasion of Confederate territory. It is claimed by many to have been the bloodiest of the Civil War battles; it was certainly the two bloodiest days of the Civil War. The Battle of Chickamauga was a victory for the Confederacy, but a costly one. General Braxton Bragg and his Confederate Army of Tennessee sustained more than 18,000 casualties. On the Union side, General William Rosecrans lost more than 16,000 men. The combined casualties on both sides totaled more than 34,000.
This interpretation of the Battle of Chickamauga is entirely my own. I have visited the battlefield more times than I can remember. For my research, I leaned heavily on the work by Glen Tucker: Chickamauga – Bloody Battle in the West.
Yes, I have taken a liberty or two - my imagination is a little tough to control sometimes – but I tried as best I could to be faithful to the facts and to the history. As always, though, the interpretation of any great battle, and this one in particular, is subjective and can be controversial. And certainly, controversy has been raging about this one for more than 140 years, as it has for many other battles, both ancient and modern; it’s the way of things.
This interpretation of the Battle of Chickamauga is entirely my own. I have visited the battlefield more times than I can remember. For my research, I leaned heavily on the work by Glen Tucker: Chickamauga – Bloody Battle in the West.
Yes, I have taken a liberty or two - my imagination is a little tough to control sometimes – but I tried as best I could to be faithful to the facts and to the history. As always, though, the interpretation of any great battle, and this one in particular, is subjective and can be controversial. And certainly, controversy has been raging about this one for more than 140 years, as it has for many other battles, both ancient and modern; it’s the way of things.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2013
98 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Blair Howard
289 books343 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 12, 2015
For me, the best thing a novel can do is to lift me out of my reality and into one of the author's creation. Blair Howard's Chickamauga did exactly that. It took me to a time and introduced me to people who lived, fought, and died a long time ago. I could smell the powder in the air, see the shadows cast by lanterns inside leaky tents, hear the restless stamping of nearby horses, and feel the rush of terror of a new recruit marching into his first battle. Beautifully done.
Chickamauga is meticulously researched and written without apparent bias toward either side's cause. As a casual reader of civil war fiction with a definite bias toward one regiment's history, I struggled a bit with all the names and the contrasting viewpoints. Personally, I would have liked to have more time to settle into some of the individual stories before transitioning into another. However, once I did become more familiar with the characters, I was able to follow both them and the action.
I would definitely recommend Chickamauga to anyone looking to learn more about this battle and those who fought in it. It's almost like being there.
Chickamauga is meticulously researched and written without apparent bias toward either side's cause. As a casual reader of civil war fiction with a definite bias toward one regiment's history, I struggled a bit with all the names and the contrasting viewpoints. Personally, I would have liked to have more time to settle into some of the individual stories before transitioning into another. However, once I did become more familiar with the characters, I was able to follow both them and the action.
I would definitely recommend Chickamauga to anyone looking to learn more about this battle and those who fought in it. It's almost like being there.
May 3, 2017
This is the first time I've ever read about Chicamauga. My great-great uncle was captured there and sent to Libby Prison. He wrote a history of the 21st Ohio Volunteers Regiment but I confess I was still a little confused as to why and how he got captured. This novel helped me to better understand the circumstances. Bottom line: his regiment as well as two others were simply abandoned to their fate; either word never reached them to retreat with the others or they were simply forgotten. Because he was an officer he was sent to Libby Prison in Virginia; no country club for sure but at least he survived. The enlisted men were sent to Andersonville and less than half of those men survived.
March 8, 2015
Two and a half months after the stalemate (effectively a defeat for Confederate forces) at Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), all eyes shifted south where the Army of the Cumberland under the overall command of Major General William Rosecrans was harassing the Confederate Army of Tennessee under the command of General Braxton Bragg. Although the Confederate forces (65,000) outnumbered the Union (60,000) the South was still reeling from their excursion north into Pennsylvania a few months earlier. Many Union troops had recently been issued the Spenser Repeating Rifle, which was a vast improvement over the Southern weapons. The outcome of the two day Battle of Chickamauga (19-20, 1863) was a resounding Confederate victory. This victory gave new hope to the South and probably helped to extend the war another nineteen bitter months.
Historical novels come in various sizes, shapes and approaches. Some writers loosely use a time or era and create a fictions characters and plots to fit. Others use specific historical events, mixing the real with imaginary, painting a more realistic picture of factual events. This novel falls in a third category where the events and participants are almost all factual and fictitious characters are only added for color and continuity. I would say this is a must read for all history buffs (especially American Civil War enthusiasts, zealots and aficionados) as the picture it paints is so realistic as to leave the smell of gunpowder in its wake.
Historical novels come in various sizes, shapes and approaches. Some writers loosely use a time or era and create a fictions characters and plots to fit. Others use specific historical events, mixing the real with imaginary, painting a more realistic picture of factual events. This novel falls in a third category where the events and participants are almost all factual and fictitious characters are only added for color and continuity. I would say this is a must read for all history buffs (especially American Civil War enthusiasts, zealots and aficionados) as the picture it paints is so realistic as to leave the smell of gunpowder in its wake.
October 23, 2015
Chickamauga by Blair Howard is a novel based on real events during the battle of Chickamauga, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is one of the rawest, closest to reality account of what may be going through the minds of everyone involved. It also gives the reader a sense of what it must have been like during the battle: the smoke, the dead and dying, the soldiers and the noise. Blair Howard is a brilliant writer with an impeccable imagination and writing style. Once you begin to read the book, he grabs your attention and pulls you straight into the story. You will be so immersed in the story to want to put it down at all. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also liked that every other chapter is dedicated first to one side's perspective and then the other's. It allows you to know what is going on all around. The only downside that I personally had was that at the beginning, I did not know that each chapter was about either the Confederate point of view or the Federal point of view. I couldn't keep track of who was who. I am going to reread this book because it so so good. This is one of my absolute favorite books now. * I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
October 13, 2014
I enjoyed this book. It shows just what a slaughter the American Civil war was. It is very hard to understand how the average soldier ever had the courage to do the things they did. I'm sure I would never have had the courage to participate in these awful battles.
A list of the officers on both sides would have been helpful at the beginning of the book. I also found the maps of the battle fields difficult to read in my kindle download.
A list of the officers on both sides would have been helpful at the beginning of the book. I also found the maps of the battle fields difficult to read in my kindle download.
December 9, 2015
This book is an outstanding fictional recreation of the famous battle. The descriptions of the action are obviously well researched and presented clearly so that it can be followed easily. The author humanizes the story by the introduction of fictional characters as well as by imagining the interactions of actual people.
September 10, 2015
You forget it's a novel
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. As you read along it's so easy to forget that it's fiction. A British who knows so much detail about our civil war is outstanding in itself. A delight for any civil war buff!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. As you read along it's so easy to forget that it's fiction. A British who knows so much detail about our civil war is outstanding in itself. A delight for any civil war buff!
April 9, 2015
Just finished book
Grate book to read hard to put down.enjoyed the book so much fun to read every time I had to reading could not wait to read more.
Grate book to read hard to put down.enjoyed the book so much fun to read every time I had to reading could not wait to read more.
May 25, 2015
Good read
Exciting action,felt like I was there.would like to have had a little more follow up. I will probably read more books by Blair Howard
Exciting action,felt like I was there.would like to have had a little more follow up. I will probably read more books by Blair Howard
December 5, 2017
Chickamauga: a Novel of the American Civil War
If you're interested in the past, in particular the War Between the States, (the American Civil War) this novel takes you to the Tennessee/Georgia state line just South of Chattanooga, in the valley of Stone Mountain at Chickamauga where North fought South. Thousands of men died during the battle from both sides, the Confederate Army claimed victory, but very costly in terms of men, equipment and wounded, maimed, and dead soldiers and horses. Thanks for letting me get an idea just how fierce the fighting became. If you're interested in the past, and have the opportunity, visit the area and try to understand what happened in 1863 at Chickamauga!
If you're interested in the past, in particular the War Between the States, (the American Civil War) this novel takes you to the Tennessee/Georgia state line just South of Chattanooga, in the valley of Stone Mountain at Chickamauga where North fought South. Thousands of men died during the battle from both sides, the Confederate Army claimed victory, but very costly in terms of men, equipment and wounded, maimed, and dead soldiers and horses. Thanks for letting me get an idea just how fierce the fighting became. If you're interested in the past, and have the opportunity, visit the area and try to understand what happened in 1863 at Chickamauga!
January 18, 2018
Interesting read
It was interesting to learn about the personality of the people who where fighting a war that divided the country.
Also enjoyed the writer adding his own feelings of the foot soldiers and the possibility of love crossing the blue and grey.
I enjoyed going back and learning about war. I am sure that Blair Howard did a lot of research for this book. Will look toward to reading some of his other books.
It was interesting to learn about the personality of the people who where fighting a war that divided the country.
Also enjoyed the writer adding his own feelings of the foot soldiers and the possibility of love crossing the blue and grey.
I enjoyed going back and learning about war. I am sure that Blair Howard did a lot of research for this book. Will look toward to reading some of his other books.
February 12, 2019
Puts you right in the battle
WOW!!....Mr. Howard brings all of the elements of the battle to these pages! You can see the smoke and hear all the sounds of artillery and smell the blood, the sweat.....and the tears, but you also feel the anxiousness, and the pride, in the boys in Gray and Blue.
WOW!!....Mr. Howard brings all of the elements of the battle to these pages! You can see the smoke and hear all the sounds of artillery and smell the blood, the sweat.....and the tears, but you also feel the anxiousness, and the pride, in the boys in Gray and Blue.
April 2, 2018
The battle sight and landscape was well defined.
I enjoy battle history. Though all of history, the tactics, the training and leadership involved in a battle. The thought of mankind not learning that History has repeated itself so often.
I enjoy battle history. Though all of history, the tactics, the training and leadership involved in a battle. The thought of mankind not learning that History has repeated itself so often.
August 19, 2018
Chickens was one of the more horrendous battles fought in the Civil War. The Battle of Chickamauga was located near Chattanooga, TH and the northern border of Georgia. Chattanooga was known as the Gateway to the South. The North wanted the win because it was the way to defeat the South and the South needed the win or the war was lost. This is an excellent historical presentation to be read for the genre.....DEHS
August 20, 2018
A Very Good Historical Fiction
This s an excellent piece of historical fiction. Both the historian in us and those that enjoy fun fiction will enjoy this read.
This s an excellent piece of historical fiction. Both the historian in us and those that enjoy fun fiction will enjoy this read.
December 26, 2018
My fifth read from author Blair Howard and the fifth? in his Civil War/Western Series. A well-written historical blend of fact and fiction.
July 27, 2020
Interesting story as I live in the Southwest I can't mentally picture the whereabouts of the action to make it more realistic
January 3, 2015
I struggled with this book. I am a fan of the historical fiction genre and usually enjoy learning about conflicts in the fictional setting, but this one was hard for me to get into.
The author changes points of view very rapidly, almost to the point of confusion. The timeline also shifts backward on occasion when we change point of view.
To muddy the waters even more, the author attempted to insert a fictional romance between a federal officer and a southern sympathizer whose fictional home was basically in the path of the battle. It was unnecessary and added very little to the story.
The majority of the book was detailed in the extreme, but the ending appeared rushed. The book just stopped. An epilogue would have been nice, especially dealing with what happened to the fictional characters the author created for us to invest in.
Overall, an okay book especially if you already know a lot about the civil war. Not a book I would suggest for someone wanting to explore this particular genre.
*i received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or required to give a favorable review. The opinions are my own.*
The author changes points of view very rapidly, almost to the point of confusion. The timeline also shifts backward on occasion when we change point of view.
To muddy the waters even more, the author attempted to insert a fictional romance between a federal officer and a southern sympathizer whose fictional home was basically in the path of the battle. It was unnecessary and added very little to the story.
The majority of the book was detailed in the extreme, but the ending appeared rushed. The book just stopped. An epilogue would have been nice, especially dealing with what happened to the fictional characters the author created for us to invest in.
Overall, an okay book especially if you already know a lot about the civil war. Not a book I would suggest for someone wanting to explore this particular genre.
*i received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or required to give a favorable review. The opinions are my own.*
October 25, 2020
CHICKAMAUGA
Having read The Mule Soldier, which was fascinating and brought a era of time in our history. to life for me. One is captured again with the setting, as though you also are looking thru the field glasses of what is going on. The battle, the men, their fears, and the death. The account was meticulously in detail, giving us the best description of a time we only heard of in passing. The research done, must of taken. years, and very well done. History buff or not will find this an enjoyable story to read.
Having read The Mule Soldier, which was fascinating and brought a era of time in our history. to life for me. One is captured again with the setting, as though you also are looking thru the field glasses of what is going on. The battle, the men, their fears, and the death. The account was meticulously in detail, giving us the best description of a time we only heard of in passing. The research done, must of taken. years, and very well done. History buff or not will find this an enjoyable story to read.
Read
October 20, 2019WOW!!....Mr. Howard brings all of the elements of the battle to these pages! You can see the smoke and hear all the sounds of artillery and smell the blood, the sweat.....and the tears, but you also feel the anxiousness and the pride, from the boys in Gray and Blue.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews