What do you think?
Rate this book
Determined to Stand and Fight: The Battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864
In early July 1864, a quickly patched together force of outnumbered Union soldiers under the command of Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace prepared for a last-ditch defense along the banks of the Monocacy River. Behind them, barely fifty miles away, lay the capital of the United States, open to attack.
Facing Wallace’s men were Lt. Gen. Jubal Early’s Confederates. In just under a month, they had cleared the Shenandoah Valley of Union soldiers and crossed the Potomac River, invading the north for the third time in the war. The veterans in Early’s force could almost imagine their flags flying above the White House. A Confederate victory near Washington could be all the pro-peace platforms in the north needed to defeat Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election.
Then came Monocacy. Over the course of the day, Union and Confederate soldiers attacked and counter-attacked, filling the fields just south of Frederick, Maryland, with the dead and wounded. By the end of the day, Wallace’s men fell into retreat, but they had done their they had slowed Jubal Early. The fighting at Monocacy soon became known as the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
Determined to Stand and Fight by Ryan T. Quint tells the story of that pivotal day and an even more pivotal campaign that went right to the gates of Washington, D.C. Readers can enjoy the narrative and then easily follow along on a nine-stop driving tour around the battlefield and into the streets of historic Frederick. Another fascinating title from the award-winning Emerging Civil War Series.
About the Ryan Quint graduated from the University of Mary Washington, and is a seasonal park historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Facing Wallace’s men were Lt. Gen. Jubal Early’s Confederates. In just under a month, they had cleared the Shenandoah Valley of Union soldiers and crossed the Potomac River, invading the north for the third time in the war. The veterans in Early’s force could almost imagine their flags flying above the White House. A Confederate victory near Washington could be all the pro-peace platforms in the north needed to defeat Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election.
Then came Monocacy. Over the course of the day, Union and Confederate soldiers attacked and counter-attacked, filling the fields just south of Frederick, Maryland, with the dead and wounded. By the end of the day, Wallace’s men fell into retreat, but they had done their they had slowed Jubal Early. The fighting at Monocacy soon became known as the “Battle that Saved Washington.”
Determined to Stand and Fight by Ryan T. Quint tells the story of that pivotal day and an even more pivotal campaign that went right to the gates of Washington, D.C. Readers can enjoy the narrative and then easily follow along on a nine-stop driving tour around the battlefield and into the streets of historic Frederick. Another fascinating title from the award-winning Emerging Civil War Series.
About the Ryan Quint graduated from the University of Mary Washington, and is a seasonal park historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2017
12 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 24, 2017
Determined to Stand and Fight is another entry into the Emerging Civil War Series which has been bringing introductory material to the eyes of American Civil War Neophytes. Its handling of narrative from unknown battles to the more popular has been one of the more helpful resources to Civil War students. Now, in Determined to Stand and Fight, the Battle of Monocacy is given the treatment; to be fair, even some readers well beyond the level of student are not too informed on this battle. Thankfully, with Ryan T. Quint to thank, we have a volume in this series devoted to this conflict so close to the nation’s capital.
Ryan T. Quint graduated from the University of Mary Washington and is a seasonal National Park Ranger for the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He is also a guide at the Historic Kenmore which is the home of George Washington’s sister, Betty Lewis. Living in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he is one of the many writers for the Emerging Civil War blog. For those who are not aware, The Emerging Civil War Series is a series of books written by well versed authors on the subject; they are introductory books to students and even readers, on the engagement or subject.
During the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the subject of the Battle of Monocacy came up in newly written works. While this was a welcome addition, there was always something which was missing in those texts. Overall, it seemed to be that the engagement was still just a chapters length of information. When I enjoyed about this book is that it is an entire length work devoted to the engagement. As is usual with the Emerging Civil War works, the battle is separated into easy to follow segments ranging from the battle itself to introducing key people which would help morph the action. One of the most fascinating chapters in the book was about Lew Wallace who was an officer in the Union army. Many readers may recognize that name for something else as Wallace was the author of Ben-Hur. Accompanied by fine maps and photographs, both historical and modern, the narrative within the text is very well written and presented excellently. And towards the back of the book, we have six appendices giving more information to the lesser known battle. Overall, this work will be seen as one of the Emerging Civil War’s more valuable books due to the lack of information usually presented on the subject.
I highly recommend this book not only to Civil War students, but to readers who still do not known entirely what happened at the Battle of Monocacy. This book presents the material in a fine way with a flowing narrative and excellent presentation. In conclusion, Ryan T. Quint should be thanked for the material presented and the information given to the many readers of this series.
Ryan T. Quint graduated from the University of Mary Washington and is a seasonal National Park Ranger for the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He is also a guide at the Historic Kenmore which is the home of George Washington’s sister, Betty Lewis. Living in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he is one of the many writers for the Emerging Civil War blog. For those who are not aware, The Emerging Civil War Series is a series of books written by well versed authors on the subject; they are introductory books to students and even readers, on the engagement or subject.
During the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the subject of the Battle of Monocacy came up in newly written works. While this was a welcome addition, there was always something which was missing in those texts. Overall, it seemed to be that the engagement was still just a chapters length of information. When I enjoyed about this book is that it is an entire length work devoted to the engagement. As is usual with the Emerging Civil War works, the battle is separated into easy to follow segments ranging from the battle itself to introducing key people which would help morph the action. One of the most fascinating chapters in the book was about Lew Wallace who was an officer in the Union army. Many readers may recognize that name for something else as Wallace was the author of Ben-Hur. Accompanied by fine maps and photographs, both historical and modern, the narrative within the text is very well written and presented excellently. And towards the back of the book, we have six appendices giving more information to the lesser known battle. Overall, this work will be seen as one of the Emerging Civil War’s more valuable books due to the lack of information usually presented on the subject.
I highly recommend this book not only to Civil War students, but to readers who still do not known entirely what happened at the Battle of Monocacy. This book presents the material in a fine way with a flowing narrative and excellent presentation. In conclusion, Ryan T. Quint should be thanked for the material presented and the information given to the many readers of this series.
July 23, 2020
Admittedly, this is a special purpose book. After visiting the Civil War Medical Museum in Frederick MD, I mentioned that next visit I would like to see the Monocacy battlefield so received this book for Xmas. It concentrates on a small slice of the war, one that most people are not familiar with, the attempt by Confederate Jubal Early to invade Washington. This book deals with the battle that held him off, primarily due to the efforts of one General Lew Wallace.
The book delves into the basics of the battle, maps, and personages, etc. and is well done from a historical standpoint. Some interesting appendices as well on such side topics as the civilian experience, medical practices, the ransoming of the town of Frederick by the Confederates and a complete guide to touring the various points of interest by car.
Does the name Lew Wallace ring a bell? it might since he is the author of the novel "Ben Hur - A Story of the Christ" which was such a blockbuster movie back in 1959. Unusual for a Civil War General to be a best selling author so there is an appendix for that as well.
As a bit of a buff, I enjoyed the book and will be headed there next month to put the book's guided tour to use. However, I do think the book is a bit too specialized for the general reader, but for those seeking insight into this historical battle this is an excellent publication.
The book delves into the basics of the battle, maps, and personages, etc. and is well done from a historical standpoint. Some interesting appendices as well on such side topics as the civilian experience, medical practices, the ransoming of the town of Frederick by the Confederates and a complete guide to touring the various points of interest by car.
Does the name Lew Wallace ring a bell? it might since he is the author of the novel "Ben Hur - A Story of the Christ" which was such a blockbuster movie back in 1959. Unusual for a Civil War General to be a best selling author so there is an appendix for that as well.
As a bit of a buff, I enjoyed the book and will be headed there next month to put the book's guided tour to use. However, I do think the book is a bit too specialized for the general reader, but for those seeking insight into this historical battle this is an excellent publication.
October 9, 2023
Civil War General Lew Wallace (later author of "Ben-Hur") had been sidelined to a post in Washington DC for his perceived shortcomings.
Confederate Gen. Jubal Early was moving towards DC with 16,000 men - warnings were ignored as Early moved up. Lee was under siege by Grant at Petersburg and this was designed to both have Grant move troops away from Petersburg and threaten DC. The Presidential election was close and Lincoln's second term was in jeopardy. A loss of DC could have enable anti-war Democrats to win and a chance for the Confederacy to endure.
Wallace commanded a force of 6,000 mostly militia and garrison troops, including "100 day men" whose enlistments were only for that short period. Poorly trained, no combat experience.
At Monocacy, Maryland Wallace fought as battle that delayed Early's army. Although foreced to retreat - "defeated" Wallace bought time.
Early pushed to DC. Fort Stevens was the last fortification between the Confederates and the White House. They were close enough to see the dome of the U.S. Capitol through field glasses Reduced in force, and with exhausted troops Early rested a day before attaching Fort Stevens. Lincoln actually went to Fort Stevens - the infamous incident where he came under direct fire of Confederate sharpshooters. It is the only time in American history in which a sitting president came under direct fire from an enemy combatant.
As Early finally attacked, he saw the dust raised by the Union VI Corps, troops that Grant had finally dispatched to Washington, as the disembarked from the ships that had brought them from Virginia.
Early withdrew, and it was the last major Confederate incursion into the North.
Wallace had saved DC, although he was not given adequate credit.
I read this short book before a tour of the National Park Battlefield. It gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of the Battle.
Confederate Gen. Jubal Early was moving towards DC with 16,000 men - warnings were ignored as Early moved up. Lee was under siege by Grant at Petersburg and this was designed to both have Grant move troops away from Petersburg and threaten DC. The Presidential election was close and Lincoln's second term was in jeopardy. A loss of DC could have enable anti-war Democrats to win and a chance for the Confederacy to endure.
Wallace commanded a force of 6,000 mostly militia and garrison troops, including "100 day men" whose enlistments were only for that short period. Poorly trained, no combat experience.
At Monocacy, Maryland Wallace fought as battle that delayed Early's army. Although foreced to retreat - "defeated" Wallace bought time.
Early pushed to DC. Fort Stevens was the last fortification between the Confederates and the White House. They were close enough to see the dome of the U.S. Capitol through field glasses Reduced in force, and with exhausted troops Early rested a day before attaching Fort Stevens. Lincoln actually went to Fort Stevens - the infamous incident where he came under direct fire of Confederate sharpshooters. It is the only time in American history in which a sitting president came under direct fire from an enemy combatant.
As Early finally attacked, he saw the dust raised by the Union VI Corps, troops that Grant had finally dispatched to Washington, as the disembarked from the ships that had brought them from Virginia.
Early withdrew, and it was the last major Confederate incursion into the North.
Wallace had saved DC, although he was not given adequate credit.
I read this short book before a tour of the National Park Battlefield. It gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of the Battle.
January 17, 2020
This book is not a huge in depth read into the battle, but that was ok by me. It still had great details and gave a great over view of the battle and its importance. I enjoyed this book and plan to read more from the Emerging Civil War Series.
December 12, 2020
Good concise introduction to the battle. Also gives Campaign context.
April 28, 2022
This is another well written entry in the Emerging Civil War series. Quint provides an excellent overview of the Battle of Monocacy.
March 9, 2024
DC escapes.
Good rendition of a somewhat unknown, but important event in the Civil War, who knows what the CSA troops would have done to the city.
Good rendition of a somewhat unknown, but important event in the Civil War, who knows what the CSA troops would have done to the city.
July 9, 2024
Wonderful read on the logistics leading up to and after the battle of Monocacy. I do believe this is a specialized read for a serious ACW buff and not so much a casual history reader.
Read
January 4, 2025Always hard to review these emerging civil war titles. Does what it says on the label.
July 17, 2023
A summary/overview of the oft overlooked Battle of Monocacy fought on July 9, 1864. The story begins several weeks before the battle with the context that framed Jubal Early’s invasion of Maryland and desire to attack Washington. As Early advances north, the story of the many missteps defining the Union response is well described.
Unlike some of the other books comprising the Emerging Civil War series from Savas Beatie, this narrative is not framed around a tour but is rather a chronological retelling of the battle.
Like the other books in the series, this one also contains an appendix with several essays adding some interesting flavor and dimension to the Monocacy story. Here, a ten stop auto tour is included as well as notable essays on Frederick as an important center of Civil War medicine and the post war literary career of Lew Wallace.
The books of the Emerging Civil War series are not meant to be exhaustive reviews of the events covered but rather they provide excellent launching points for further study as they expose the reader to the the core issues defining the event. As usual, mission accomplished here.
Unlike some of the other books comprising the Emerging Civil War series from Savas Beatie, this narrative is not framed around a tour but is rather a chronological retelling of the battle.
Like the other books in the series, this one also contains an appendix with several essays adding some interesting flavor and dimension to the Monocacy story. Here, a ten stop auto tour is included as well as notable essays on Frederick as an important center of Civil War medicine and the post war literary career of Lew Wallace.
The books of the Emerging Civil War series are not meant to be exhaustive reviews of the events covered but rather they provide excellent launching points for further study as they expose the reader to the the core issues defining the event. As usual, mission accomplished here.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews