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Tullahoma: The Forgotten Campaign That Changed the Civil War, June 23 - July 4, 1863
“The definitive account of Union Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ operational masterpiece—the almost bloodless conquest . . . of Middle Tennessee.” —Sam Davis Elliott, author of Soldier of Tennessee
July 1863 was a momentous month in the Civil War. News of Gettysburg and Vicksburg electrified the North and devastated the South. Sandwiched geographically between those victories and lost in the heady tumult of events was news that William S. Rosecrans’s Army of the Cumberland had driven Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee entirely out of Middle Tennessee. The brilliant campaign nearly cleared the state of Rebels and changed the calculus of the Civil War in the Western Theater. Despite its decisive significance, few readers even today know of these events. The publication of Tullahoma by award-winning authors David A. Powell and Eric J. Wittenberg, forever rectifies that oversight.
Powell and Wittenberg mined hundreds of archival and firsthand accounts to craft a splendid study of this overlooked campaign that set the stage for the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, the removal of Rosecrans and Bragg from the chessboard of war, the elevation of U.S. Grant to command all Union armies, and the early stages of William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Tullahoma—one of the most brilliantly executed major campaigns of the war—was pivotal to Union success in 1863 and beyond. And now readers everywhere will know precisely why.
“An outstanding study of the decidedly under-appreciated 1863 Tullahoma Campaign in Middle Tennessee.” —Carol Reardon, George Winfree Professor Emerita of American History, Penn State University
“ Tullahoma ranks among the best of modern Civil War campaign histories.” — Civil War Books and Authors
July 1863 was a momentous month in the Civil War. News of Gettysburg and Vicksburg electrified the North and devastated the South. Sandwiched geographically between those victories and lost in the heady tumult of events was news that William S. Rosecrans’s Army of the Cumberland had driven Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee entirely out of Middle Tennessee. The brilliant campaign nearly cleared the state of Rebels and changed the calculus of the Civil War in the Western Theater. Despite its decisive significance, few readers even today know of these events. The publication of Tullahoma by award-winning authors David A. Powell and Eric J. Wittenberg, forever rectifies that oversight.
Powell and Wittenberg mined hundreds of archival and firsthand accounts to craft a splendid study of this overlooked campaign that set the stage for the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, the removal of Rosecrans and Bragg from the chessboard of war, the elevation of U.S. Grant to command all Union armies, and the early stages of William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Tullahoma—one of the most brilliantly executed major campaigns of the war—was pivotal to Union success in 1863 and beyond. And now readers everywhere will know precisely why.
“An outstanding study of the decidedly under-appreciated 1863 Tullahoma Campaign in Middle Tennessee.” —Carol Reardon, George Winfree Professor Emerita of American History, Penn State University
“ Tullahoma ranks among the best of modern Civil War campaign histories.” — Civil War Books and Authors
408 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2020
128 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
David A. Powell
26 books29 followersGraduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a B.A. in history. He has spent years studying the Battle of Chickamauga and wrote several books on the campaign. His book Failure in the Saddle: Nathan Bedford Forrest, Joseph Wheeler, and the Confederate Cavalry in the Chickamauga Campaign won the 2011 Richard Harwell Award for the best book on a Civil War topic published in the last year. In addition to his books, he has written articles for the magazines North & South and Gettysburg Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 21, 2022
A much needed addition to the history of the Western Theater, this book delivers in a big way. The book chronicles Rosencrans' Tullahoma campaign, and makes the case that it was just as significant as Gettysburg and Vicksburg were to overall Union victory. While Meade and Grant usually have the spotlight shined on them, this book forcefully argues that although Rosecrans didn't take massive casualties like they did, his campaign secured the entire state of Tennessee for the Union. A very good effort. Also, the book was published by Savas Beatie, so the binding is superb!!!
January 9, 2021
Back in 2016 I started work on a Tullahoma book, because there was great need of one, but I heard Powell and Wittenberg were writing just such a book. Both men are among the best in the business, so I held off. I was not wrong to do so. This is a pretty comprehensive overview of the lead up to the campaign and its course. The prose is clear and the analysis is tight; in my research I came to much the same conclusions. My only grip is the maps could have been just a little better. Otherwise, this is as good as it gets.
November 1, 2020
I consider Dave Powell one of the leading current Civil War history writers. And I'm a Rosecrans fan and recognize the Tullahoma campaign as a great strategic achievement. The problem is, it just doesn't carry enough weight for 356 pages of text. You can only describe so many marches and rain and mud, with repetitive personal accounts. The cavalry actions - the triumphs of Wilder and Minty and the failures of Wheeler, Morgan and Forrest - are the most compelling parts. One problem seemed to be too much narrative and not enough analysis (until the final chapter).
It's interesting to compare similar maneuvering prior to Chickamauga as depicted in volume 1 of Powell's magisterial trilogy. There, the narrative is much more compelling, perhaps because the stakes seem higher, the possible destruction of Negley at McLemore's Cove plus we know it is leading to the big battle. With Tullahoma, it seems as if Bragg is hopelessly outclassed from the start and never has a chance. There's never even really much of a danger that he is going to be cut off and forced to fight. Just more retreat through the mud.
It's deeply ironic to give a review like this, since Rosecrans heard very similar complaints from Lincoln and Stanton in the light of the simultaneous victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Rosecrans retorted that he had captured all of Middle Tennessee, just without all the blood and glory. It's true...but 356 pages is just too much to tell the story.
It's interesting to compare similar maneuvering prior to Chickamauga as depicted in volume 1 of Powell's magisterial trilogy. There, the narrative is much more compelling, perhaps because the stakes seem higher, the possible destruction of Negley at McLemore's Cove plus we know it is leading to the big battle. With Tullahoma, it seems as if Bragg is hopelessly outclassed from the start and never has a chance. There's never even really much of a danger that he is going to be cut off and forced to fight. Just more retreat through the mud.
It's deeply ironic to give a review like this, since Rosecrans heard very similar complaints from Lincoln and Stanton in the light of the simultaneous victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Rosecrans retorted that he had captured all of Middle Tennessee, just without all the blood and glory. It's true...but 356 pages is just too much to tell the story.
August 27, 2022
Tullahoma was the American Civil War campaign in Tennessee between Stones River and Chickamauga. Like the six months after Gettysburg in Virginia, this campaign has been historically skimmed over because it resulted in no major battles. Tullahoma was also overshadowed by Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Unlike Meade and Lee in Virginia (see Jeffrey William Hunt's excellent series) in which each thrust and parry failed to really change the status quo, Tullahoma had significant consequences: the Confederates were maneuvered out of Middle Tennessee; the Army of Tennessee's upper command continued to self-destruct; and the campaign's success would lead William Rosecrans to launch a similarly audacious campaign to flank Braxton Bragg out of Chattanooga, resulting in the Battle of Chattanooga.
Probably no other two authors are better qualified to write this book. Dave Powell wrote an excellent Chickamauga trilogy (plus two supplemental works) and thus is extremely familiar with the two armies involved. Eric Wittenberg, the modern expert on American Civil War cavalry operations, wrote a book about John Wilder's Lightning Brigade and Robert Minty's Saber Brigade conducting a memorable delaying action on the first day of Chickamauga; both brigades played prominent roles in the Tullahoma Campaign.
This is a full-length book (356 pages of main text). The first five chapters (115 pages - a third of the book) are not directly about the campaign. They provide important background and context by covering the six months leading up to the campaign as Rosecrans reorganizes and improves the Army of the Cumberland and prepares for the complex operation, suffering some embarrassing mishaps along the way and butting heads with his superiors. Meanwhile, the Army of Tennessee rises to peak strength on paper early in the year only to have everything fall apart - squabbles between generals, units transferred away because of the Vicksburg Campaign, illness, insubordination, and a murder - all while at the end of a shaky supply line.
The Union offensive launches just in time for a local drought to be abruptly ended by almost constant heavy rain. The soldiers slog through endless mud. The Confederates are caught of guard, hesitate, and ultimately retreat. Besides fighting the weather, there are several small engagements along the way, mostly notably Wilder at Hoover's Gap and Minty at Shelbyville. The latter battle is recounted in some particularly dramatic prose as one of the finest saber charges of the war ruins Joe Wheeler's day and his division (and nearly results in his capture).
The solid writing covers the entire campaign in detail. The maps are sufficient for the level of maneuvering and fighting involved, with more detailed maps as appropriate. (Nicer color maps of the Tullahoma campaign are included in Powell's The Maps of Chickamauga: An Atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign, Including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 - September 23, 1863.)
My only real criticism is a layout issue I have seen before: large photos and most maps cover nearly the entire page - but not quite all of it. There are usually about four lines of main text at the bottom. I keep missing them and have to backtrack in my reading. I really wish Savas Beatie would stop doing that.
A must-read for Civil War buffs.
Probably no other two authors are better qualified to write this book. Dave Powell wrote an excellent Chickamauga trilogy (plus two supplemental works) and thus is extremely familiar with the two armies involved. Eric Wittenberg, the modern expert on American Civil War cavalry operations, wrote a book about John Wilder's Lightning Brigade and Robert Minty's Saber Brigade conducting a memorable delaying action on the first day of Chickamauga; both brigades played prominent roles in the Tullahoma Campaign.
This is a full-length book (356 pages of main text). The first five chapters (115 pages - a third of the book) are not directly about the campaign. They provide important background and context by covering the six months leading up to the campaign as Rosecrans reorganizes and improves the Army of the Cumberland and prepares for the complex operation, suffering some embarrassing mishaps along the way and butting heads with his superiors. Meanwhile, the Army of Tennessee rises to peak strength on paper early in the year only to have everything fall apart - squabbles between generals, units transferred away because of the Vicksburg Campaign, illness, insubordination, and a murder - all while at the end of a shaky supply line.
The Union offensive launches just in time for a local drought to be abruptly ended by almost constant heavy rain. The soldiers slog through endless mud. The Confederates are caught of guard, hesitate, and ultimately retreat. Besides fighting the weather, there are several small engagements along the way, mostly notably Wilder at Hoover's Gap and Minty at Shelbyville. The latter battle is recounted in some particularly dramatic prose as one of the finest saber charges of the war ruins Joe Wheeler's day and his division (and nearly results in his capture).
The solid writing covers the entire campaign in detail. The maps are sufficient for the level of maneuvering and fighting involved, with more detailed maps as appropriate. (Nicer color maps of the Tullahoma campaign are included in Powell's The Maps of Chickamauga: An Atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign, Including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 - September 23, 1863.)
My only real criticism is a layout issue I have seen before: large photos and most maps cover nearly the entire page - but not quite all of it. There are usually about four lines of main text at the bottom. I keep missing them and have to backtrack in my reading. I really wish Savas Beatie would stop doing that.
A must-read for Civil War buffs.
April 30, 2022
The Tullahoma Campaign of mid-year 1863 is misnamed. It should be called the 'rain and mud campaign'. Nearly every day June 13-July 4 saw rain, sheets of rain resulting in a morass of mud for horses, mules, and men alike. During this quagmire, middle Tennessee was lost to the Confederacy during the Tullahoma Campaign between Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee and William Rosecrans's Army of the Cumberland.
Braxton Bragg is one of the most controversial generals of the ACW. Very few people liked him, including his generals, but he was in charge even after previous 'mistakes' in Kentucky. A sickly man, he never seemed to catch a break, although that was partly due to the generals under his command: Men like the insubordinate John Hunt Morgan, who deliberately disobeyed commands after having great success earlier in the war. Nathan Bedford Forrest, who would become a legend, but wasn't where he was supposed to be at crucial times. Earl Van Dorn who got himself killed by a jealous husband, and Joseph Wheeler, who made major mistakes, especially at Shelbyville. Bragg's Cavalry Corps gave him grievous headaches, and was never again the winning force it had been early in the war.
This book has plenty of detail, but could use more and better maps, and makes it clear that Rosecrans carefully planned his campaign. He had trouble with Halleck, but received good service from his generals like Thomas, and hard-fighting units like the 'Lighning Brigade' and the 'Saber Brigade'. He deserved to win, but to his dismay Tullahoma never was realized as the third great victory in the summer of 1863--Gettysburg and Vicksburg overshadowed his army's efforts.
Braxton Bragg is one of the most controversial generals of the ACW. Very few people liked him, including his generals, but he was in charge even after previous 'mistakes' in Kentucky. A sickly man, he never seemed to catch a break, although that was partly due to the generals under his command: Men like the insubordinate John Hunt Morgan, who deliberately disobeyed commands after having great success earlier in the war. Nathan Bedford Forrest, who would become a legend, but wasn't where he was supposed to be at crucial times. Earl Van Dorn who got himself killed by a jealous husband, and Joseph Wheeler, who made major mistakes, especially at Shelbyville. Bragg's Cavalry Corps gave him grievous headaches, and was never again the winning force it had been early in the war.
This book has plenty of detail, but could use more and better maps, and makes it clear that Rosecrans carefully planned his campaign. He had trouble with Halleck, but received good service from his generals like Thomas, and hard-fighting units like the 'Lighning Brigade' and the 'Saber Brigade'. He deserved to win, but to his dismay Tullahoma never was realized as the third great victory in the summer of 1863--Gettysburg and Vicksburg overshadowed his army's efforts.
February 16, 2021
Most Americans today know Gettysburg, some Americans today know Vicksburg, very few Americans today know Tullahoma. This book is really the first attempt to bring the 1863 Tullahoma Campaign back from oblivion. Federal General William Rosecrans leads the Army of the Cumberland in a classic Napoleonic campaign of maneuver that clears the Confederate army out of Tennessee while suffering few casualties. It is a truly atypical Civil War campaign. This book is a must read for anyone with more than a passing interest in the Civil War. Powell and Wittenberg have put together a wonderful book. I recommend it heartily.
March 25, 2022
First, I learned lots from reading this book. I’ve lived in the area of the Tullahoma Campaign all my life. However, lots of things could have been done better. The maps are unbelievably bad. Hardly anything is labeled and the same map is used over and over, just slightly changing the area shown. A good Civil War book must have clearly labeled and detailed maps for the reader to be able to understand what is happening. There were also many times that I couldn’t tell whether the writer was talking about the Union or Confederate Army. I guess the assumption is that the reader has every single officer from both sides committed to memory. Many times movements are described as “turned left down a narrow road and crossed a creek”, or something very similar. Those of us who are familiar with this area want to know where these roads and creeks are and their names. This book could have been a lot better with some minor adjustments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2024
This was fine, though not entirely as interesting as the title might suggest. The author tries to argue that the Tullahoma Campaign was just as important to the Union success in the Civil War as the Fall of Vicksburg and the Battle of Gettysburg (both of which take place at the same time as this campaign). The Tullahoma Campaign is truly forgotten, especially in the shadow of the two previously mentioned campaigns, which were true turning points of the war. But I don't necessarily buy the authors argument here, though they argue it well.
If you are interested in all things Civil War, then you'll get something out of this book, but I can only really recommend it to devoted fans of the subject.
If you are interested in all things Civil War, then you'll get something out of this book, but I can only really recommend it to devoted fans of the subject.
July 8, 2021
Strong light on a little-known campaign
The authors make a powerful case that Rosecran's successful campaign, which levered Bragg's Confederate army out of middle Tennessee without a major battle, was "a military masterpiece." Very well written, with clear maps showing the critical manuevers. Ironically, Rosecran's remarkable acheivement, coming at the same time as Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, received relatively little attention then and since precisely because it was largely bloodless.
The authors make a powerful case that Rosecran's successful campaign, which levered Bragg's Confederate army out of middle Tennessee without a major battle, was "a military masterpiece." Very well written, with clear maps showing the critical manuevers. Ironically, Rosecran's remarkable acheivement, coming at the same time as Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, received relatively little attention then and since precisely because it was largely bloodless.
October 2, 2024
very good the author does get into the weeds at times detailing regimental histories.
One is amazed at the impact of sometimes poor leadership but also a lack of understanding of local conditions. Not that this was all the fault of commanders but one certainly see the logistic issues and also the impact of unknown terrain. One can also see the impact of aggressive leadership. All in all this is a good description of a little-known series of battles
All in all I recommend this book.
One is amazed at the impact of sometimes poor leadership but also a lack of understanding of local conditions. Not that this was all the fault of commanders but one certainly see the logistic issues and also the impact of unknown terrain. One can also see the impact of aggressive leadership. All in all this is a good description of a little-known series of battles
All in all I recommend this book.
July 7, 2022
A very interesting account of the little known Union Army campaign that drove the CSA enemy out of Tennessee. Though often criticized, Union commander Rosecrans spectacularly out fought the disputatious Confederate Gen. Bragg, who moved with his usual sloth and indecision. Despite monsoon-like rains during the campaign, the Union Army met or exceeded all its goals. The Union victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, within days of the Tullahoma victory, overshadowed a great Union campaign.
November 18, 2025
A great book that fills in the gaps between Stones River and Chickamauga. Does an excellent job of placing this campaign in the larger context of the war, and how it's results dictated future events in the war.
I felt it painted a far and balanced picture of both command structures and how decisions were made, and also highlighted the difficulty of the weather and terrain.
Pick up a copy and learn more about this influential campaign that didn't end with a bloody battle.
I felt it painted a far and balanced picture of both command structures and how decisions were made, and also highlighted the difficulty of the weather and terrain.
Pick up a copy and learn more about this influential campaign that didn't end with a bloody battle.
April 21, 2021
Perfect Segue
This excellent book fits perfectly between the battles at Perryville and Stones River and the subsequent battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. It covers a campaign that is often overlooked in its importance and relevancy. A must read to fully understand the Western Theatre.
This excellent book fits perfectly between the battles at Perryville and Stones River and the subsequent battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. It covers a campaign that is often overlooked in its importance and relevancy. A must read to fully understand the Western Theatre.
April 4, 2023
A detailed military history of a region I am familiar with and the campaign i have heard of since childhood. My great great grandfather was captured in June, 1863, as his unit was retreating from the Tullahoma area. I was unaware of so the actions in Shelbyville, but grew up hearing stories of Hoover’s Gap. On now to the Chickamauga trilogy.
September 6, 2023
Overall book: 4 stars — Dave Powell again delivers with a masterful recounting of the prelude to the Chattanooga Campaign. Well worth the time to better understand how Rosecrans outmaneuvered Bragg to skip a fight in Middle Tennessee and fight instead in North Georgia.
Audible audio: 0 stars — One of the worst recordings I’ve listened to.
Audible audio: 0 stars — One of the worst recordings I’ve listened to.
September 4, 2021
Bragg and Rosy
An outstanding examination of the campaign. His research is top notch and I appreciated his use of primary sources. Very fair treatment of both sides. A must read for students of the Civil War
An outstanding examination of the campaign. His research is top notch and I appreciated his use of primary sources. Very fair treatment of both sides. A must read for students of the Civil War
January 22, 2021
A detailed account of the campaign.
While a major battle did not occur the insights into the differences of the commands and how the weather played a role in the campaign were interesting.
While a major battle did not occur the insights into the differences of the commands and how the weather played a role in the campaign were interesting.
May 2, 2022
Easy to read and follow sequence of events about a Civil War engagement I knew little to nothing about. Good book!
May 20, 2022
A fascinating account if an incredible sequence of events. If you are interested in the Civil Wat this is a must read. Well written and incredibly researched and documented.
Read
August 3, 2022Interesting
Interesting for those of us who have followed the other major Civil War battles. Expands our knowledge of events in the period.
Interesting for those of us who have followed the other major Civil War battles. Expands our knowledge of events in the period.
September 15, 2023
Tullahoma Campaign
A well written, engaging account of an important precursor to the battles for Chattanooga and Atlanta and the march to the Sea.
A well written, engaging account of an important precursor to the battles for Chattanooga and Atlanta and the march to the Sea.
September 11, 2023
This had a lot of new information on cavalry that I was not aware of. I agree that the book had possibly too much narrative and too many personal accounts that deviated away from the main action.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews