Chickamauga

The Civil War Battle Series #7

by James Reasoner

In this seventh volume of the ten-volume Civil War Battle Series, the action spans the area from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Georgia, Mississippi, and Illinois.The seven members of the Brannon clan of Culpeper County, Virginia, experience a wide range of the many hardships of war. The Southern setbacks of July 1863 have fallen hard on the Brannons, for two sons were with Lee in Pennsylvania and one was at Vicksburg. They still mourn the loss another, Titus, presumed dead but actually interned in a Northern prison camp for seven months.Mac Brannon, in Stuart's cavalry, helps to protect the Army of Northern Virginia as it withdraws to Virginia. Of special concern to him are the ambulance wagons, one of which carries his wounded brother, Will.  In Vicksburg, Cory Brannon recuperates from an illness, and as his health returns he looks for ways to escape the Union occupation and join Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry. In the Yankee prison camp outside of Chicago, Titus is determined to escape and make his way home. He does not yet know the price of his freedom. Cory and his comrades connect with Forrest just in time for the action at Chickamauga.Although the battle goes well for the Confederates, Forrest and his commander, Braxton Bragg, have a falling out. Circumstances dictate that Cory remain with Braxton Bragg in the Confederate camps that encircle Chattanooga, but when Bragg decides to outwait the Union army trapped before him, the scene is set for the arrival of a new Federal commander—U.S. Grant.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Fiction, American Civil War, Audiobook, Historical

394 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did a much better job of keeping us informed about the whole family.

The saga continues. We continue to get the history. We continue to see how members of the Brannon family etc. are coping.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four Brannon brothers are all over the place as the Civil War moves toward the autumn of 1863. Because of this Reasoner is able to show several war time experiences besides those on the battlefield. Each book in this series has prompted further research.

[Levi Borba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't get the necessity for so many descriptive sexual scenes. The plot was mild. The worst from the entire series so far.

[Mary]

This was the seventh installment in the 10 book civil war series. It was good to follow the family through another horrible battle Chickamauga. This one focused on Cory more than the other characters Will is still hanging in there though he was wounded severely.

[Lloyd Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this novel gives life to events of the civil war through telling how it impacted a family in Virginia

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh! Finally a book in Mr. Reasoner's Civil War series which brings all the story lines together. No longer do I have to wait an entire book to find out what is happening with Cory in the West, Titus in the North, or Will & Mac in the East. 1863 is coming to an end and the situation isn't looking good for the South. Many of the individual Southern soldiers are beginning to realize the seeming unlimited supplies and men of the North will break the South's efforts for independence.

Mr. Reasoner has done a wonderful job depicting the military engagements and camp life, and the home front fight in support of Johnny Reb. He has incorporated an exciting plot line throughout the books depicting the activities of the Brannon family and local inhabitants in Culpeper County, Virgina. You wouldn't believe the mischief Henry Brannon manages to get himself into in this latest installment.

Chickamauga will keep you on the edge of your seat as Cory fights for his life with his Uncle-in-law. Mac manages to spend some time at home, but not enough... The book closes out with a big surprise on Christmas Eve at the Brannon farm. Don't miss reading this!

[Dan]

A really enjoyable and informative read. Certainly not high literature, but draws you into the personal stories - conflicting perspectives and values and motives - that formed so much of the Civil War mosaic. It brought the silent battlefields in the midst of which I live to life.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

another winner in this series - lots of action, included all the family members with their trials and adventures, another breath-catching twist to end the book, can't wait to start #8.

[Don Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Last fall I toured the areas around the chickamauga battlefield for 3 days. After being their it really brought the story to life.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

See the rest of the reviews in this series.

[Mary Ellen Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one varied a bit - good to predictable. Cory’s story was the best, though Lucille becomes a cardboard cutout and never realizes her potential as a character.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series.