Book Review – Gabriel, A Novel of the American Civil War

Recently, I had to fortunate privilege of acquiring and reading a book that I might not have normally picked up in a bookstore. Usually if I take a chance on historical fiction – especially Civil War historical fiction – I pick a book that follows a character that I know I’ll become attached to. I…

Compassion and Chaos at Chancellorsville

Veterans on both sides of the Civil War who were present for duty at Chancellorsville on May 3rd, 1863, described it as the ultimate slaughter. In some accounts, they call it the worst fighting of the entire war. Cavalry officer J.E.B Stuart was personally appointed by the wounded Thomas Stonewall Jackson to take command of…

Chancellorsville – The Carnage Was Fearful – Part 2

The Battle – Part 2 At a quarter past 5 o’clock in the morning, the Confederates stormed out of the Wilderness, the Rebel Yell like barreling thunder to those startled Federals. A short resistance was put up by Colonel Adolphus Bushbeck’s 154th New York, about 5,000 men, but it was still no use. The left…

Chancellorsville – The Carnage was Fearful – Part 1

(Because this battle - just one front, mind you - is so massive, I've split this blog into two parts for reading convenience) Background After the failed “Mud March” of late January, 1863, the Army of the Potomac was put under the command of Joseph Hooker. The man who replaced Ambrose Burnside was the same…