Taken at the flood : Robert E. Lee and Confederate strategy in the Maryland campaign of 1862 / Joseph L. Harsh.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harsh, Joseph L., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870--Military leadership.

Lee, Robert E.

Maryland Campaign, 1862.

Strategy--History--19th century.

Strategy.

Confederate States of America--Military policy.

Confederate States of America.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (473 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Kent, Ohio ; London, England : The Kent State University Press, 1999.

Summary:

Complementing Confederate Tide Rising, which covers the origins of the Maryland campaign, Taken at the Flood is a detailed account of the military campaign itself. It focuses on military policy and strategy and the context necessary to understand that strategy. A fair appraisal of the campaign requires a full appraisal of the circumstances under which the two commanders, Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan, labored. Harsh attempts to discover what they believed their responsibilities were and what they tried to accomplish; to evaluate the human and logistical resources at their disposal; and to determine what they knew and when the learned it. Antietam has languished in the long, obscuring shadow cast by Gettysburg. Harsh advocates rethinking the Maryland campaign and promotes the argument that Antietam was one of the most interesting, critical, and potentially enlightening episodes in U.S. history.

Contents:

Intro

Halftitle Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Contents

List of Maps

Preface

Introduction. "On such a full sea…"

Antietam Creek and the Stream of History

Historical Sights: Fore, Hind, Over, and In

Reprise. "From the interior to the frontier": Lee Reaches the Potomac, September 1, 1862

1. "We cannot afford to be idle": Lee's Strategic Dilemma, September 2-3, 1862

Pope Escapes, September 2

Dilemma of a New Campaign

Confederate Tide at Flood

The Strength of Lee's Army

The Mettle of Lee's Army

The Maryland Option: A New Turning Movement

The Open-Ended Decision

The Dranesville Dispatch, September 3

2. "More fully persuaded": Lee Crosses the Potomac, September 4-6,1862

The March to Leesburg, September 4

Clearing the Decks

Leesburg War Council

Jackson's Crossing, September 5

Frederick Occupied, September 6

3. "In this I was disappointed": Lee Revises His Strategy, September 7-9, 1862

Restful Sabbath, September 7

Lee Dabbles in Politics, September 8

The Intrusion of Jeff. Davis, September 9

The Walker Interview

Frederick Council of War

The Writing of Special Orders, No. 191

4. "Intercept such as may attempt escape": Lee's Best-Laid Plans, September 10-12, 1862

The First Day of the Valley Expedition, September 10

The Second Day of the Valley Expedition, September 11

Lee at Hagerstown, September 12

The Watershed of the Maryland Campaign

5. "More rapidly than convenient": Lee's Plans Unravel, September 13, 1862

Some Concern in the Morning

The Pendulum Swings Back

The Lost Orders Found

The Crisis by Eventide

6. "The day has gone against us ": Lee Stands at the Mountain Gaps, September 14, 1862

Lee to the Rescue

The Battle of Boonsboro

Jackson Tightens the Noose

The Battle of Crampton's Gap.

Evening: The First Retreat

7. "We will make our stand on these hills": Lee's Hope Renewed, September 15, 1862

Lee Stands at Sharpsburg

The Pursuit Ends

The Surrender of Harpers Ferry

Lee's Resolve Strengthened

8. "All will be right": Lee's Last Chance for Maneuver, September 16, 1862

Lee Sees a Window

Lee and the Whims of War

McClellan Shuts the Window

Lee Accepts Battle at Sharpsburg

9. "A hard day's work before us": Lee's Bloodiest Day, September 17, 1862

The Opening Attack by Hooker, 5:15 to 9:00 A.M.

Lee and the Morning Crises on the Left, 5:30 to 9:30 A.M.

McLaws and Walker Restore the Confederate Left, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Federal Success on Four Fronts, 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

Lee and the Midday Crisis, 9:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Burnside's Attack and Lee's Final Crisis, 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Night of Reckoning

10. "Until none but heroes are left": Antietam Endgame, September 18-21, 1862, and After

Lee Defies Fate, September 18

Williamsport, the Last Gambit, September 18-19

Checkmate at Shepherdstown, September 19-21

Echoes of Maryland

Finale. "We have tried the utmost": Lee's Ventures Risked and Lost

Verdicts of History

Lee's Overland Campaign of 1862-A Shore Too Far

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-61277-206-4

OCLC:

868286973