The Peninsula Campaign Of 1862

by Dougherty, Kevin; Moore, J. Michael

• ISBN13: 9781578067527
• ISBN10: 1578067529
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Mississippi

Summary

The largest offensive of the Civil War, involving army, navy, and marine forces, the Peninsula Campaign has inspired many history books. No previous work, however, analyzes Union general George B. McClellan's massive assault toward Richmond in the context of current and enduring military doctrine.The Peninsula Campaign of 1862: A Military Analysisfills this void. Background history is provided for continuity, but the heart of this book is military analysis and the astonishing extent to which the personality traits of generals often overwhelm even the best efforts of their armies.The Peninsula Campaign lends itself to such a study. Lessons for those studying the art of war are many. On water, the first ironclads forever changed naval warfare. At the strategic level, McClellan's inability to grasp Lincoln's grand objective becomes evident. At the operational level, Robert E. Lee's difficulty in synchronizing his attacks deepens the mystique of how he achieved so much with so little. At the tactical level, the Confederate use of terrain to trade space for time allows for a classic study in tactics.Moreover, the campaign is full of lessons about the personal dimension of war. McClellan's overcaution, Lee's audacity, and Jackson's personal exhaustion all provide valuable insights for today's commanders and for Civil War enthusiasts still debating this tremendous struggle. Historic photos and detailed battle maps make this study an invaluable resource for those touring the many battlegrounds from Young's Mill and Yorktown through Fair Oaks to the final throes of the Seven Days' Battles.Kevin Dougherty, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is professor of military science at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is the author ofThe Coastal War in North and South Carolina. J. Michael Moore, Yorktown, Virginia, is the registrar of Lee Hall Mansion.

Author Biography

Kevin Dougherty is a professor of military science at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
CHAPTER 1 THE STAGE IS SET	3	(33)
The Key Federals	3	(16)
The Key Confederates	19	(14)
Joint Operations at the Outset of the Civil War	33	(3)
CHAPTER 2 OPENING MOVES	36	(28)
McClellan's Plan	37	(10)
The Monitor and the Merrimack (Virginia)	47	(5)
McClellan's Suspicious Arithmetic	52	(2)
The Naval Support	54	(2)
The Movement	56	(2)
Fort Monroe	58	(2)
The Terrain	60	(4)
CHAPTER 3 THE PLAN BEGINS TO UNRAVEL	64	(34)
Allan Pinkerton's Failed Intelligence	65	(5)
The Defenders	70	(7)
Yorktown	77	(8)
Williamsburg	85	(7)
Drewry's Bluff	92	(6)
CHAPTER 4 THE TIDE TURNS	98	(42)
The Impact of Jackson's Valley Campaign	98	(2)
Seven Pines	100	(9)
The Seven Days	109	(31)
CHAPTER 5 SO WHAT?	140	(23)
A Critical Review of McClellan's Offensive	140	(9)
A Critical Review of Lee's Defense and Counteroffensive	149	(4)
A Critical Review of Jackson during the Seven Days	153	(2)
A Critical Review of McClellan's Withdrawal	155	(5)
Aftermath	160	(3)
Chronology of Events	163	(2)
Touring the Battlefields Today	165	(6)
Tips for Conducting a Staff Ride	171	(2)
Bibliography	173	(4)
Index	177