Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1503489 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Leather Bound
• 335 pages

Review
At Monoacy, Maryland in 1864 occurred the decisive battle of Lee's offensive against Washington D. C. Cooling's civil war history focuses on the events of this battle, considering the delay which cost the Confederacy its chance, and providing a lively account of the battle which saved Washington. Recommended for avid Civil War historians. -- Midwest Book Review

Customer Reviews

At last a long look at a decisive battle.
Mr. Cooling's book presents a chronological evaluation of the events that preceeded and occurred after the Battle of Monocacy. Starting with why Lee ordered the last gasp invasion of the north, to the modern efforts to preserve the battlefield. All aspects of these events are presented but not evaluated. For example, why didn't Washington believe the people of the area when they reported that Jubal Early was in Maryland? Mr. Cooling also presents a wonderful driving tour for people who want to see and expirennce the places of the Battle of Monocacy. The appendicies go into great detail about the Ohio National Guard which fought at Monocacy, and the issues all the govenor's of the various Union states had to face when called to defend Washington. Perhaps if Jubal Early had not stalled outside of Washington, Monocacy would be celebrated as one of the greatest Confederate victories of the war.

Well Done.
This is a very interesting treatment of an often times overlooked battle.

Monocacy was the high water mark of the Confederacy's third and final invasion of the North. The chronological sequencing enables the author to tell a very balanced story, one that reflects not only the inadequacies of both sides during this engagement, but also reflects each side's total commitment to the death throes then currently occurring around Richmond and Petersburg.

Excellent maps with even better text, the author impresses upon the reader just how close a thing this really was. Best summed up by a Union soldier who simply said, "Early was late," Cooling really captures the essence of this campaign. It was desperate, on both sides.