Shenandoah Summer: The 1864 Valley Campaign

Jubal A. Early’s disastrous battles in the Shenandoah Valley ultimately resulted in his ignominious dismissal. But Early’s lesser-known summer campaign of 1864, between his raid on Washington and Phil Sheridan’s renowned fall campaign, had a significant impact on the political and military landscape of the time. By focusing on military tactics and battle history, Scott C. Patchan uncovers the facts and actions of these little-understood battles and offers a new perspective on Early’s contributions to the Confederate war effort-and to Union battle plans and politicking.   Patchan details previously unexplored battles at Rutherford’s Farm and Kernstown (a pinnacle of Confederate operations in the Shenandoah Valley). He examines the campaign’s influence on President Lincoln’s reelection efforts and provides insights into the personalities, careers, and roles in Shenandoah of Confederate General John C. Breckinridge, Union General George Crook, and Union Colonel James A. Mulligan, with his “fighting Irish” brigade from Chicago. Finally, Patchan reconsiders the ever-colorful and controversial Early himself, whose importance in the Confederate military pantheon this book at last makes clear.

Table of Contents:
List of IllustrationsList of MapsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. The Most Successful Expedition: Retreat from Washington, July 11-12, 18642. Who Has the Management: Union Pursuit, July 11-15, 18643. But Little Is Expected from Our Pursuit: Loudoun Valley to the Blue Ridge, July 16-17, 18644. Whipped Most Awfully: The Battle of Cool Spring, July 18, 18645. The Panic Was Over: The Battle of Cool Spring, July 18, 18646. Rock Them Like All Creation: Berry's Ferry and Kabletown, July 19, 18647. A Miracle of Execution: The Battle of Rutherford's Farm, July 20, 18648. The Object of the Expedition Accomplished: Wright Leaves the Valley, July 19-22, 18649. A Cavalry Scare: Prelude to Kernstown, July 23, 186410. Attack the Enemy at Once: The Second Battle of Kernstown, July 23-24, 186411. A Perfect Stampede: The Second Battle of Kernstown, July 24, 186412. Bull Run Was Nothing in Comparison: Retreat to the Potomac, July 24-27, 186413. Defeat Was a Matter of Course: The Second Battle of Kernstown Analysis14. Burn the Entire Town: McCausland's Chambersburg Raid, July 28-August 4, 186415. Like a Fiery Meteor: The Battle of Moorefield, August 186416. L'Envoi: ConclusionAppendix A: Mrs. Marian MulliganAppendix B: Shenandoah Valley Campaign: July 1864 Order of BattleNotes BibliographyIndex

About the Author :
Scott C. Patchan, a Civil War battlefield guide and historian, is the author of Forgotten Fury: The Battle of Piedmont and a consultant and contributing writer for Shenandoah, 1862.

Review :
"Scott C. Patchan has solidified his position as the leading authority of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign with his outstanding campaign study, Shenandoah Summer. Mr. Patchan not only unearths this vital portion of the campaign, he has brought it back to life with a crisp and suspenseful narrative. His impeccable scholarship, confident analyses, spellbinding battle scenes, and wonderful character portraits will captivate even the most demanding readers. Shenandoah Summer is a must read for the Civil War aficionado as well as for students and scholars of American military history."—Gary Ecelbarger, author of "We Are in for It!": The First Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862 "Shenandoah Summer provides readers with detailed combat action, colorful character portrayals, and sound strategic analysis. Patchan's book succeeds in reminding readers that there is still plenty to write about when it comes to the American Civil War."—John Deppen, Blue & Grey Magazine "The reality of the "neighbor versus neighbor" conflict explored in the pages of this monograph make it a worthwhile read for historians of the Shenandoah Valley, the battles of 1864, or the overarching military scope of the Civil War."—Gregory R. Jones, Northwest Ohio History