The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley

by John L. Heatwole

Gen. U.S. Grant's order to cripple the ability of the Shenandoah Valley to supply the CSA with food and fodder affected the civilian population as did no other act of war, including Sherman's march through Georgia. Packed with the firsthand account of victims and perpetrators alike, this book brings history alive.

Genres: History, Civil War

266 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Dan Lutts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Burning: Sheridan's Devastation of the Shenandoah Valley is the incredible true story of how the Union general Philip Sheridan and his soldiers devastated destroyed the Shenandoah Valley, which was the breadbasket of the Confederacy, during the Civil War. It describes the horrors many of the Valley civilians went through, including the ones who were against the war. It also describes the feelings of the Yankees, some of whom didn't want to participate in the carnage they were creating. If you're interested in the Civil War, this is a book that is well worth reading.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several times a year, I drive from southern Virginia up through our beautiful Shenandoah Valley to Pennsylvania. And each time, I always think about the devastation that occurred here a little over 150 years ago. When a good west-coast friend read and reviewed this book ( here ), one unknown to me, I was able to read her copy.

Each time I picked it up, I spent more time than I intended pouring over the maps Heatwole included and orienting myself to many of those places I knew in this modern world. And with every reading, I would recall how many times I'd heard how much the Confederates hated "those Yankees" and could now realize why. Such terrible destruction.

Even when orders were given to limit burning to barns or crops, enough known of human nature tells me that there were those soldiers who were tender in carrying out the orders -- like when the soldier would tell the woman of the house that he had to set the barn on fire but it would be a small fire and he would leave immediately so she could put it out -- and there were those who sought revenge through greater destruction than ordered. It is the results of the latter which grieve my heart and make me want to know no more. Yet these women who had sole responsibility for their farms while their husbands or fathers were away in the war had more vigor and fortitude and courage and foresight than I think I have or would have.

The hardships endured by the southern families --and on the Confederate soldiers themselves-- are more than I think I could bear:

"We were repeatedly robbed . . . by the Federals during Sheridan's encampment around town. We had to do our cooking after dark, as the smoke from the chimney was an invitation for the enemy to raid our kitchen and larders."

"Our hearts ached at the horrible sight . . . our beautiful Valley almost a barren waste and we with an army so inferior in numbers as to render success almost hopeless.

"The Federals were consuming all the forage that time would allow, and the rest was being carried off or destroyed."

"By eleven the atmosphere was stifling with smoke; the livid flames, that shone in the early morning from river to mountain, were obscured by the increasing pall of darkness that rested on the once beautiful landscape."

"The Confederates were slow to move on this day, probably because many of their horses were breaking down. The Federals were destroying all of the forage within their grasp -- they burned what they could not feed to their own mounts."

And in the end, "Emergency rations were made available by the very government that sanctioned Sheridan's campaign against the Valley."

I found this new and interesting regarding the Mennonite church: "In those days it was the custom to let the Lord select new deacons, ministers, and bishops. This was accomplished by placing a slip of paper into a prayer book and mixing the book with others, one for each candidate. Each man selected a book, and the one who found the slip of paper inside became the new church official." I guess this method was drawing straws glorified.

The name Sheridan has left a smoldering distaste with me.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Southern cause to die, the Shenandoah Valley had to be ruined during one of its greatest harvest seasons. (from inside cover)

Many know about Sherman capturing Atlanta and the devastation of his March to the Sea, but only a few are familiar with Sheridan's burning of the Shenandoah Valley in late September and early October 1864. Today's residents still remember it.

This meticulously researched account of the systematic burning and wasting of civilian barns, stables, crops, livestock, mills, foundries, tanneries, iron works, and even homes was not easy to read. The Shenandoah Valley was a place of steady industry and bountiful harvests. It was the source of sustenance for the Southern army. The Burning was both a tactical decision and a retaliation for the Confederate burning of Chambersburg, PA, two months earlier.

I was intrigued by the Mennonites, the Dunkards, and the Lincoln relatives.

The anabaptist Mennonites and Dunkards (German Baptists), were pacifists and abolitionists who settled in the valley and raised huge families. Their beliefs were closer to the North's. Nevertheless, most lost their barns, crops and livestock. Some sang hymns to fortify themselves while they watched their provisions disappear. A few weren't opposed to using violence to try to protect their property.

At least one cousin of Abraham Lincoln used her connection to spare her barns. But the soldiers burned buildings on the farm where Lincoln's father had been born. Al Lincoln, a Southern guerilla leader who fought from the woods, sang a ditty: As long as Cousin Abe keeps sending 'em down the Valley, Cousin Al will keep killin' 'em.

Many Union soldiers were repulsed by the orders. Others participated in rascality (← my new favorite word) and pillage. Heatwole's tone is measured, giving voice to both sides of the conflict. Much to ponder.

[Saklani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at how Sheridan's destruction of the Shenandoah Valley actually worked and who carried it out. This is a piece of the Civil War without a lot of focus on it, except a few famous quotes. How it actually worked and why the Confederates were unable to stop it is fascinating. This is a series of anecdotes from the time, which make for a nice narrative. Well worth a read.

[David Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a world of little known stores about the Shenandoah valley during 1864

[Ganglion Bard-barbarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

US rape of the Shenandoah Valley: Yanqui imperialism at it's finest.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

War sucks.