Stonewall in the Valley: Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Spring 1862

by Robert G. Tanner

The Valley Campaign conducted by Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson has long fascinated those interested in the American Civil War as well as general students of military history, all of whom still question exactly what Jackson did in the Shenandoah in 1862 and how he did it. Since Robert G. Tanner answered many questions in the first edition of Stonewall in the Valley in 1976, he has continued to research the campaign. This edition offers new insights on the most significant moments of Stonewall's Shenandoah triumph.

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

624 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1975

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is from a strictly Southern point of view, which limits the narrative and the analysis. Tanner's prose is not bad, but it never quite sings either. However, it is a good piece of research and among the most balanced accounts I have ever encountered of a military campaign. On that alone, I rate it as a good book, if not quite the classic I was expecting.

This book is important in understanding the shifting nature of Civil War history. Tanner moved away from Lost Cause mythology in depicting Jackson as a flawed, but ultimately successful commander while arguing that the Valley Campaign, while a great victory for the CSA, was not a master plan conceived by the Lee-Jackson team. Such writing, unthinkable before desegregation, was common after it. Today, his obvious fascination with the Confederate army would be taboo, and estimations of Lee and Jackson as generals has declined, despite evidence of their considerable skill.

[Peter Corrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all that I have read about the Civil War over the years, the Valley was always somewhat of a mystery to me. Overshadowed by the titanic campaigns in eastern VA it always seemed a bit of sideshow. But this book gave as complete an account at least from the southern perspective as you are likely to find. I now have a far deeper understanding of the unique dynamics and complex movements of the period from late 1861 through June 1862. This is probably not a book for people with just a casual interest in this campaign. There is abundant detail, exhaustive documentation, and several appendices discussing the orders on various critical days and how they were or were not interpreted, misunderstood, carried out completely, partially, or not at all. Any reading of Civil War battles and actions will be full of such situations, although Jackson's odd leadership seemed to invite more than most. Despite his obvious drive and brilliance, it is clearly evident that Jackson had serious flaws. Primarily in his tendency to expect too much out his soldiers and even himself. Falling asleep at a critical juncture at the Peninsula being a prime example. The Valley Army was highly fortunate to escape relatively intact several times due to the excessive demands placed upon it by Jackson (Port Republic stands out on that score). Perhaps this almost insane audacity was required to hold off forces that if combined were about 4 times the size of the Valley Army. The maps are about the only thing somewhat lacking and in a book full of complex maneuvers over highly varied terrain it is enough to detract 1-star.

[James Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading Tanner's history I had little real knowledge of Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. I knew only a general overview of the campaign, including its strategic purpose within the wider war in Virginia, and the names of the battles fought. The history is told from the Confederate point of view with enough details of Union movements and thought involved to explain their response to Jackson. It's a history full of personality and anecdote and wise in its military analysis so that the campaign can be understood in the context of the war as a whole in the spring of 1862. It lives up to its claim of stripping away the romanticism of Jackson's accomplishments. In fact, it exposes a few weaknesses in Jackson's generalship and serious mistakes made during that spring in the Valley. If being hard on Jackson the book lauds the troops who overcame the hardships of weather, hunger, and exhaustion in marching 400 miles in 30 days from one end of the valley to the other twice, fighting 6 major engagements. I was a little surprised that the actions fought by the Valley Army were so small considering the size of the Valley Campaign in Southern legend.

[Avis Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a particular reason why I prefer this earlier, 1976 first edition of Robert Tanner's book to the 1996 rewrite. Even though the later book includes more information, it also suffers from 'cleansing' of the viewpoint. In the earlier book Tanner felt free to criticize Jackson's generalship. Apparently this was not popular in Civil War circles, and Tanner santizied the 1996 version. The 1976 book also has a more agreeable style than the later version, which is awfully wooden in comparison. Stonewall in the Valley has long been is one of the great Civil War classics, and it's a shame that the version people are most likely to encounter is the one where the author pulls his punches.

Available at Open Library:
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL29574...

[Stevelee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, read it at the same time as the 150th anniversary of the 1862 Valley Campaign. Was even able to take it with me and read the appropriate sections onsite at Cross Keys and Port Republic. Thought Tanner did a good job of covering the tactical, operational, and strategic aspects of the campaign. As he states up front, the book was written from a Southern perspective, so one will need to go elsewhere for a North-South balanced narrative. I was worried that Tanner would attempt to gloss over some of Jackson’s weaknesses and mistakes, but was pleasantly surprised to find this was not the case. Would certainly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about the events that transpired in the Valley when leaders from both sides were still learning their craft.

[Vincent O'Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic history of an important campaign in the early years of the Civil War. Tanner's grasp of the Shenandoah Campaign, as well as events in the larger war that it influenced, is extraordinarily detailed. He makes convincing arguments and provides insightful analysis, while also writing in a fashion that is eminently enjoyable.

[Ted Haussman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid account of the valley campaign from the Southern campaign, which does provide sycophantic glorification of Stonewall but notes his achievements as well as failure throughout.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an updated version of the author's original book published in 1976. Since that time, new primary-source information was discovered that shed new light on the author's original premises, specifically in the form of private papers of several Confederate commanders. This book uses these new insights to update the original work. In general, the book is written from the Southern point of view; however, a high degree of objectivity is maintained without a corresponding bias that might otherwise be present. In fact, Tanner treats both sides in a very matter-of-fact manner in terms of military decisions and personal characteristics of the leading figures. This isn't a biography of Jackson; instead, its a well-researched account of Jackson's Valley Army in its efforts to keep Union forces there from linking up with the larger Federal force threatening the Confederate capital of Richmond. The campaign itself, a series of battles within a confined geographical area, is interesting enough as a stand-alone period of the war from a tactical standpoint. However, the author adds to its importance by consistently weaving in details of the more far-reaching Confederate strategy regarding the defense of Richmond. As with most good books, it creates more interest in its subject in addition to providing a detailed account. Recommended not only to those with a casual interest in the subject but also to anyone studying the Peninsula Campaign, which was largely affected by Jackson's actions in the valley.

[Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young teen and Civil War buff, I had the good fortune to live just outside of Harrisonburg and have memories of visiting many of the towns referenced in this book. Unfortunately, almost all of the battlefields then were on private property and inaccessible. I read this to prepare for a return visit that I will make someday to retrace Jackson's steps. Tanner does a good job dissecting the command decisions and makes the best progress of anyone I have read in getting inside Stonewall's head. There is not an overabundance of maps, but those that are included are excellent, many copied from Jackson's own map maker. I read the 1974 version, not being able to find the updated version at any library in Maryland.

[L Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first Civil War books I ever read! If you like Stonewall Jackson and reading about the early part of the war, this is the book for you. Tanner has been criticized for only using Confederate sources (maybe one or two Northern sources) but he states right from the start that this was written from the Confederate viewpoint. It is one of my favorite books on Jackson’s Valley Campaign and has influenced my large collection of books on Jackson and Turner Ashby. I have read the book twice!

[Alex Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the authoritative text on Stonewall Jackson's fabled "Valley Campaign". The author dispels the myth that the campaign is (in the words of one of Jackson's aides) "as innovative as Napoleon's Italian campaign". The truth is less dramatic: Jackson simply made fewer mistakes than his opponents, and barely outmanoeuvred them.

There's a lot packed into this book, and I'll have to return and re-read this text later on.

[Joshua Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get a chance to read this whole book, but I referred to it extensively when preparing for a tour of the Valley, and hope to return to read the whole thing in the future. It's an excellent and readable study of Jackson's remarkable campaign, and I appreciate the thorough analysis of the strategic situation throughout. Tanner brings out so much more of the questions and options before the generals, than a simple sketch of the campaign would give you. It adds a lot to the story.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a well researched book. I found that Jackson, while powerful, exercised very little control over his army. It is interesting to see the letters from the soldiers. While I am not usually a "Civil War Guy", I found this book entertaining. Warning, it does not give you much about what was going on in the Union Army.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched and comprehensive account of the 1862 Valley Campaign. Tanner not only gives an account of the events and personalities involved, but also provides a thorough analysis of the campaign: overall successes and failures, as well as the effects--by accident or design--on the Peninsula Campaign.

[Charles W · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on Stonewalls campaign in the Shenandoah valley

[R. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's what I'm talking about. This is as good as it gets. Stonewall Jackson's entire Shenandoah Valley Campaign - including the battles of Kernstown, Cross Keys, and Port Republic - are all included in a single narrative. Several maps guide the reader into understanding troop movement and key geographical details. This was a Confederate victory, and is therefore told from a Southern point of view - but one that doesn't shirk the shortcomings of the heroes of the Confederacy. Well researched, it exposits when necessary (I was particularly pleased with the first chapter dedicated entirely to explaining to us just why, exactly, the Shenandoah Valley was so important), but doesn't get bogged down in details. This is perhaps my favorite part of the Civil War, and I'm so happy that Robert Tanner did such a phenomenal job reporting on it.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account concerning this little-known event
in the early stages of the Civil War. In addition to descriptions of troop movements, battles and skirmishes, there is a portrait of Jackson revealed. Although a brilliant tactician at times, his personality traits often became more of an enemy than the Union troops he fought. Worth reading for those interested in the Civil War and strategies and tactics. Jackson's exploits in the Shenandoah Valley became a must read in military academies in America and throughout the world.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book covering the Confederate side of the campaign, with a good analysis of the strategy and tactics used by the commanders. However, I wish the author had included more information about the Union forces, especially during individual battles. For example, for the sections covering the Confederate retreat south from Harpers Ferry May 30th to June 1st, he discusses the Union movements in a separate appendix rather than in the main text.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book that gives the story of the 1862 Valley Campaign. It is clear and very understandable. My only criticism would be that he takes the tact that ambition is the driving motivation for Jackson and drove him to do the things he did. I get the sense that he tries to make facts conform to his theory at times. Not too badly, but still it seemed noticeable to me.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary addition to everyone's Civil War campaigns shelf. I have read this book at least twice over the years, and the narrative is just as lively as ever. The author does a good job of interspersing quotes from battle participants with an authoritative overview of events. A good starting point for anyone studying T. J. Jackson as well as the Valley Campaign.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book on how Jackson was able to effectively use operational maneuver in support of Confederate strategy in 1862. Good appendices on the Valley Army MTOE, Jackson's state of mind at the close of the campaign. I highly recommend this book.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this shortly after it came out in 1976 (I was 11) and loved it. In fact, I took it with me on my first trip to the south (not that we got near the Shenandoah valley). I'd be interested to know what academic historians think of it, but it was a formative book for a young amateur.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a light read by any stretch but an interesting, and detailed, account of one of the American Civil War's lesser known campaigns and, by extension, a study of one of the war's most fascinating charecters, Stonewall Jackson. And by no means a hagiography, but a walts and all depiction.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful analysis of Jackson's Valley campaign of 1862. Military history does not get any better than this. In this earlier version of the volume Tanner has given a picture of Jackson's performance that is balanced and realistic. There is no hagiography present.

[Creighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lengthy read, but one I enjoyed when I read it! I had little to no knowledge about Jacksons valley campaign, but I was curious about this campaign because I had heard about Jacksons use of Napoleonic strategy in this campaign, and I wanted to know more!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree wholly with HRT's review. The 1996 version just does not read the same. It is over written.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overall analysis of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign from a decidedly southern perspective.

[Tiberius63]

A good exposition of the maneuver operations of Jackson, if perhaps a little less critical than other assessments.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent treatment of Jackson's Valley campaign with often brilliant insights and analysis marred only by an almost complete lack of detail on Union actions or thought process.