A Campaign of Giants—The Battle for Petersburg, Vol. 2: From the Crater's Aftermath to the Battle of Burgess Mill

A Campaign of Giants #2

by A. Wilson Greene

Grinding, bloody, and ultimately decisive, the Petersburg Campaign was the Civil War's longest and among its most complex. A Campaign of The Battle for Petersburg offers a gripping, comprehensive history of the decisive campaign in the eastern theater. In this second of three volumes, A. Wilson Greene narrates the critical months from August through October 1864, during which Ulysses S. Grant's army group launched three major offensives against Robert E. Lee's defenses around Petersburg and the Confederate capital in Richmond. The Confederates counterpunched after each Union advance and conducted a spectacular cavalry raid that netted almost 2,500 cattle from Federal grazing grounds. But as winter approached, Grant had captured one of Lee's primary supply routes and extended the lines around Petersburg and Richmond to some thirty-five miles.

Supported by thirty-four detailed maps, Greene's narrative chronicles these bloody engagements using many previously unpublished primary accounts from common soldiers and ranking officers alike. The struggle for Petersburg is often characterized as a siege, but Greene's narrative demonstrates that it was dynamic, involving maneuver and combat equal in intensity to that of any major Civil War operation.

Genres: Civil War, American Civil War, Military Fiction, History

712 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2025

Reviews

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading A. Wilson Greene's second book in the projected trilogy on the Petersburg campaign, which took place during the American Civil War in 1864. This Kindle edition was graciously provided by NetGalley.

The second volume; "A Campaign of Giants - The Battle for Petersburg, Volume 2: From the Crater's Aftermath to the Battle of Burgess Mill" is 712 pages in length and provided with 34 maps, along with detailed notes, bibliography and index.

The book covers the period from August through to October in 1864 and was a gripping account! Overall, I found this book a great read and follows on seamlessly from the authors first volume. The book is well written, easy to read, and the maps provided were more than sufficient to follow the actions as recounted by the author. A. Wilson Greene has researched his subject well and this shows throughout the book with numerous first-hand accounts from privates to generals on both sides of the conflict.

I really enjoyed this book, and I am sure any American Civil War enthusiast or anyone who enjoys a well-written account of a military campaign would love this book. I am eagerly awaiting the final and third volume in the trilogy.

For me this was a solid 4 out of 5-star effort and I'm pretty confident that this series of books will be the go-to reference on the Petersburg Campaign for many readers and historians. In closing, this review by fellow Civil War author and historian, Jeffry D. Wert, sums up this book perfectly:

"Many historians have written on the complex operations comprising the ten-month struggle for Petersburg, Virginia. No previous work can compare, however, to this masterful account by A. Wilson Greene. Drawing on impeccable research, Greene offers astute observations and a wealth of detail in a compelling narrative. This second volume of a planned trilogy makes clear that Greene is writing the definitive history of the Petersburg campaign."

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough. Long. No stone unturned. Great maps. This book focuses on a three month period of 1864 from August 1 through October 31. If anything it's a validation of the superiority of the defense and the primacy of interior lines. The outnumbered CSA consistently inflicted more casualties than it took. However, rather than preserving its most precious asset, its manpower, it squandered it in counterattacks. The Union was omnipotent and took its time but it must have been so frustrating to Grant to be plagued with timid commanders. Each side calling itself victorious and not achieving their objectives. Just a preview of World War I but without the machine gun.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was seven years in the making. It was definitely worth the wait. The author describes military operations in the Petersburg campaign in painstaking detail. This trilogy, when complete, will be the standard for anyone researching the Petersburg siege. My only complaint about the book was that it was extremely difficult to acquire a copy to read. I ended up shopping online for it after my library system neglected to order it. Other than that, a worthy effort and a pleasant reading experience.

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compared to the first volume, this one is not as good a read. Yet, it is a better book all around. Greene has a talent for breaking down battles in clear prose, supported by good analysis and a coherent narrative of who decided what and when. His appraisal of Lee seems less forgiving here than in volume I, but still positive on a whole. All around, it is a first rate campaign study and I would say the classic that volume I almost was. As such, I have high hopes for volume III.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing look at the Petersburg battles during the Civil War. The author does an outstanding job of telling the story from both sides and weaves first-hand accounts into the story as weel. The book is very informative and looks at not only the political impacts, but the faults of the generals and officers leading the troops. Too often, these faults led to the unnecessary death, wounding or capture of hundreds /thousands of men. The story recounts both the bravery and cowardice of the troops and the cruelty they performed. An excellent book, and I highly recommend reading it.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Rosa Angelone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to have so much of the story in one place (well two since this is vol 2) lots of excerpts from letters etc. I will be looking for more on the black troops though since most of the discussion about them is from white people and not the soldiers themselves. ...and I want some more analysis of the battles..but without this book I wouldn't even know where to begin.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent history from A. Wilson Greene.