The Darkest Days of the War: The Battles of Iuka and Corinth

by Peter Cozzens

Book Overview

During the late summer of 1862, Confederate forces attempted a three-pronged strategic advance into the North. The outcome of this offensive--the only coordinated Confederate attempt to carry the conflict to the enemy--was disastrous. The results at Antietam and in Kentucky are well known; the third offensive, the northern Mississippi campaign, led to the devastating and little-studied defeats at Iuka and Corinth, defeats that would open the way for...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807857831
• ISBN13: 9780807857830
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The BEST on the Iuka-Corinth campaign!

In 1862, Jefferson Davis proclaimed that there were two crucial places that the Confederacy must hold if it was to survive - Richmond, VA and Corinth, MS. While Richmond is a major focal point of the American Civil War, Corinth and Iuka, Mississippi have had little if any attention, except by those who study the western and Trans-Mississippi armies of the war. Peter Cozzens has written THE definitive work on the battles at Iuka and Corinth in the fall of 1862. The writing is full of the facts and research that are a hallmark of Mr. Cozzen's previous efforts, and the descriptions are so vibrant that one can almost smell the gunpowder and feel the earth shake to the rumble of cannons. Not only does Mr. Cozzens provide great detail on the battles themselves along with the Battle of Davis Bridge (Hatchie River) that followed the fight at Corinth; he provides an understanding of the importance of these battles, how they fit into the scheme of things (Van Dorn / Price were defeated at Corinth during the same week that Bragg was defeated at Perryville). We see one of the few attempts at a Confederate "Grand Strategy," but like many of the Confederate operations, this one is beset by political intrigue between Van Dorn and Price with Richmond; nebulous orders, rank insubordination and a failure to follow through on opportunities earned on the battlefield. In downtown Corinth and at Batteries Robinette and Powell, some of the bloodiest fighting of the war occurred. Winning at Corinth allowed the Federals to control the extremely valuable north-south and east-west rail roads that crossed in downtown Corinth and set the stage for Grant's victory at Vicksburg the next summer. It deprived the Confederacy of the means to ship food, men and supplies from the Mississippi to the East by rail. Mr. Cozzen's book served as the "bible" for the planning and execution of the huge re-enactment of the Battle of Corinth staged Oct. 1-2, 2005 near Corinth, MS.

Another Winner from Cozzens

Cozzens has written many fine books about the less well known Western Theater campaigns. The Darkest Days of the War: The Battles of Iuka and Corinth is perhaps the finest yet. It goes into great detail about 2 obscure, but ultimately important battles in the western theater. It manages to describe the battles in clear terms, set out convincing portraits of the key players and place these campaigns in context. At the same time, Cozzens avoids the pitfalls common to many Civil War books. (No, not everyone who dreams that they are going to die, dies. Its just that those dreams, when related to others, are the ones that are remembered. Cozzens doesn't treat us to the umpteenth take on this old saw).Highly recommended.

Another Cozzens Masterpiece!

The Civil War in the West has not received the literary attention that its strategic importance merits. Peter Cozzens continues to delight us Westerners with another masterpiece. Iuka and Corinth may not be household battle names, but Cozzens puts them and their role in shaping the Union victory in the West in proper perspective. The key generals (Grant, Rosecrans, Van Dorn) are given their due, both good and bad. Cozzens describes the movement of the armies and shares the words of the participants, while keeping the reader focused on the big picture - the objectives of the two armies, and why they succeeded or failed.Are you a military board gamer? If you have SPI's 1981 "Corinth" game, this book makes a great supplement to enhance the game's playability and realism.If you have read Cozzens' trilogy (Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga), you will love this book. If you haven't read any of Cozzens' works, try this one first. He is one of the best contemporary writers. Peter, what's next? Pea Ridge? Forts Henry and Donelson? Vicksburg?

Exceptional battle scenes.

Peter Cozzens' book interested me for the simple fact that it deals with the very important but largely 'forgotten' battles of Iuka and Corinth in September and October of 1862. My previous reading on these battles included Battles and Leaders, reports in the Official Records, and Frost's rare History of the 10th Missouri. Cozzens brings the story together in a cogent and exciting way. He does a very good job of developing the major characters, none of whom shine on close inspection, from the pompous and self-serving Rosencrans to the libertine Van Dorn. Cozzens is at his best with descriptions of the actual battles. He paints the panorama on a regimental level through the cotton fields of Iuka to the great actions around the fortress batteries at Corinth. I am in awe at the heroism and shudder at the incompetence of leadership on both sides. My only complaint, and this is minor, is that he wrongly identifies Company E of the 24th Missouri Infantry as 'Company F.' This Company was attached to the 10th Missouri, and included my ancestor Hezekiah Lucas and my ancestoral uncle, Drury Campbell, who was killed at Corinth facing another of my relatives, Rufus Yancey Powell, with the Confederate 5th Missouri in the action near Battery Powell on October 4. I am thankful that Mr. Cozzens has written a book worthy of honoring their memory.

Another Cozzens tour-de-force

Peter Cozzens does it again. In his series of books on the Civil War's western theater, Cozzens has shown a unique ability to convert detailed research into a gripping narrative. I put his books in the same category with those of Gordon C. Rhea-- destined to be the final word on their respective battles for some time to come. Cozzens's sheer attention to detail is amazing, and I love his direct and concise analysis of tactical decisions on the field. A must read.