Sherman's Horsemen: Union Cavalry Operations in the Atlanta Campaign

by David Evans and David Evans

Book Overview

..". massively researched... those seeking a richly detailed journal of the cavalry's role in one of the war's crucial campaigns will find this book irreplaceable." -- Blue Gray Magazine "This volume is meticulously detailed and comes to some convincing conclusions." -- The Journal of American History "A vivid account of the campaign that helped decide the outcome of the Civil War.... A rich narrative that will delight students of the Civil War." -- Kirkus Reviews Attempting a quick, decisive victory in the 1864 struggle for Atlanta, William Tecumseh Sherman's cavalry wreaked havoc in the countryside around the city. This book, based largely upon previously unpublished materials, tells the story of Sherman's raids. Through exhaustive research, David Evans has been able to recreate a vivid, captivating, and meticulously detailed image of the day-by-day life of the Yankee horse soldier.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253329639
• ISBN13: 9780253329639
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 688 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Sherman's tough westerners, poorly led

I have no intrinsic interest in Sherman, except as a case study of war-time barbarity. But I have long been curious about details of the wonderful success of General Joe Wheeler,CSA cavalry, in Georgia. As Sherman outmaneuvered Joe Johnston from position to position from Northwest Georgia to Atlanta, Yankee cavalry raiding parties were sent out to cut the railroads supplying Atlanta. Joe Wheeler had the job of thwarting these raiders, and with great energy and enthusiasm chased them, caught up, and attacked with considerable skill. David Evans, the author, has done a first class job of learning the details, Union and Confederate, and has given us a real feel of skirmishes, battles, courage, and exhaustion of the American fighting men involved.

Excellent history!

It is not often that we get a completely packaged history in a single volume. This is one of the few books that covers the subject and provides the reader with the background, off the field issues, personalities and operations. Sherman's cavalry operations are not a bright shining example of Union brilliance. They do show what will happen when average or below average commanders with vague orders embark on overly ambitious campaigns. For the Confederacy and Joe Wheeler, this was a very bright spot after many reversals. That the cavalry was not deciding the Atlanta Campaign saved Sherman and defeated Hood. Most readers will not know the personalities involved and the author takes time to give us both the background and relationships. This enables us to understand the why of many decisions. Sherman is not well served by his cavalry commanders, something for which he is partially to blame. In addition, Sherman seems not to have wished to invest the time to correct problems and/or settle issues that divided this arm. Each operation is covered in detail with maps in the proper place. I had few problems following and finding the places on the provided maps. Battles have maps are at the right point, allowing the reader to understand the situation. You will need these maps, as the battles are not familiar. However, the author manages to keep the reader in the battle with the right combination of participant's accounts and good writing. This book belongs in every Civil War library and is necessary read to understand the Atlanta Campaign.

A great read, and showed the futility of the actions

The descriptions of the cavalry charges are wonderful and terrify'ing. I would have hated to be on the slashing side of those swords. On the other hand the ablity of the South to repair the damage done by the raiders is remarkable. It made me realize the futility of distroying low grade rail and bridges. These guys would burn a bridge, and 3 days later it would be completely rebuilt. Not really slowing down the pace of the war at all. Sometimes the repairs were done before the raiders were back in camp!It was incredible the amount of useless looting that went on. Soldiers stealing tableware & clothes only to toss it as soon as they were attacked.Another great civil war read. (For those fans of wars in a bygone era.)

Wonderfully detailed descriptions of the fabled 'raids'.

Thorough research and good writing make this an excellent work of history. My great-grandfather participated in some of these actions and kept a diary. Reading Evans' book cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had formed from reading only my relative's private's-eye view from horseback.

Excellent!

This book made the events that occurred come to life. I couldn't put it down.