Extraordinary Circumstances: The Seven Days Battles

by Brian K. Burton

The first campaign in the Civil War in which Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia, the Seven Days Battles were fought southeast of the Confederate capital of Richmond in the summer of 1862. Lee and his fellow officers, including "Stonewall" Jackson, James Longstreet, A. P. Hill, and D. H. Hill, pushed George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac from the gates of Richmond to the James River, where the Union forces reached safety. Along the way, Lee lost several opportunities to harm McClellan. The Seven Days have been the subject of numerous historical treatments, but none more detailed and engaging than Brian K. Burton's retelling of the campaign that lifted Southern spirits, began Lee's ascent to fame, and almost prompted European recognition of the Confederacy.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Military History, Civil War Eastern Theater, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history book covers the period of the American Civil War in June of 1862 when Robert E. Lee first became the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. It was quite a perilous time for South in June of 1862. The large Union Army of the Potomac was within a few miles of the Confederate capital at Richmond Virginia. The Confederates were outnumbered and outgunned. However, they had one big advantage; the Army of the Potomac was led by General George B. McClellan. He had convinced himself that the Union army was vastly outnumbered. Thus, when General Lee pushed back on the Union line, McClellan quickly ordered a retreat to “save” the Army of the Potomac. They made a fighting retreat for the next several days all the way back to the James River, southeast of Richmond. During this seven day period, battles were fought nearly continuously. This book provides an in depth look and analysis of that seven day period. It provides both a strategic and tactical view of what each side was trying to accomplish. It also covers in detail what the men in each army faced regarding weather, food and medical care during the intense combat. Plus, it examines many of the key Corp commanders for each army and the impact they had on the campaign.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This large volume (399 pages plus appendices) is a detailed account of the Seven Days Battles; it reads like a play-by-play, regiment by regiment account of the action. It's the only book I've read that does so. It’s not for the faint of heart. There was fighting on each day, some days’ fighting longer and more intense than on others. Soldiers’ letters or journals are quoted for their views. The last chapter summarizes the author’s views of the stars’ performances and the impact of the battle on the war.

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has good information. Not easy to follow at times. However given the lack of material on the 7 Days, a must read.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very detailed history (ala Peter Cozzens) of the Seven Days Battles, something that I think had not been written before. I don't think this was as good as Stephen Sears' broader "To The Gates Of Richmond" (which also covers the Peninsular Campaign as a whole) nor as quite as good as Cozzens' books. There are quite a few maps, but I feel they are not good. Overall, an okay book.

[C.E.]

Seven Days of battle, and I can't seem to read this sucker in less than... I have no idea. Don't blame the book. I suspect my nonfiction spree is clogging my ability to process anything more difficult than "The Cat in the Hat" right now!

[Jim Blessing · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very good book on this Civil War battle. Unfortunately, after reading the first 100 pages or so, it just got too detailed for me to finish.