The Darkest Days of the War: The Battles of Iuka and Corinth (Civil War America) - Hardcover

Cozzens, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807823201 ISBN 13: 9780807823200

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press, 1997

Synopsis

During the late summer of 1862, Confederate forces attempted a three-pronged strategic advance into the North. The outcome of this offensive - the only co-ordinated Confederate attempt to carry the conflict to the enemy - was disastrous. The results at Antietam and in Kentucky are well known; the third offensive, the northern Mississippi campaign, led to the devastating defeats at Iuka and Corinth - defeats that would open the way for Grant's attack on Vicksburg. Peter Cozzens here presents a book-length study of these two complex and vicious battles. Drawing on extensive primary research, he details the tactical stories of Iuka - where nearly one-third of those engaged fell - and Corinth - fought under brutally oppressive conditions - analyzing troop movements down to the regimental level. He also provides compelling portraits of Generals Grant, Rosecrans, Van Dorn and Price, exposing the ways in which their clashing ambitions and antipathies affected the outcome of the campaign. Finally, he draws out the larger, strategic implications of the battles of Iuka and Corinth, exploring their impact on the fate of the northern Mississippi campaign, and by extension, the fate of the Confederacy.

About this title

Review:

"The Darkest Days of the War" will surely be the definitive work on these sadly overlooked but interesting and significant campaigns.Earl J. Hess, "Civil War History" An excellent case study of how army politics, miscommunication, and missed chances could decisively influence a campaign."Kirkus Reviews" A tightly written, fast-paced, well-reasoned narrative that is solidly researched ."Journal of Southwest Georgia History" A perceptive, balanced survey of the battles at Iuka and Corinth in Mississippi."The State" (Columbia, SC) ""The Darkest Days of the War" will surely be the definitive work on these sadly overlooked but interesting and significant campaigns.Earl J. Hess, "Civil War History"" "An excellent case study of how army politics, miscommunication, and missed chances could decisively influence a campaign."Kirkus Reviews"" "A tightly written, fast-paced, well-reasoned narrative that is solidly researched ."Journal of Southwest Georgia History"" "A perceptive, balanced survey of the battles at Iuka and Corinth in Mississippi."The State" (Columbia, SC)" "The Darkest Days of the War" easily qualifies as the definitive work on this campaign."Blue & Gray"

About the Author:

Peter Cozzens is an independent scholar and Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State. He is author or editor of nine highly acclaimed Civil War books, including The Darkest Days of the War: The Battles of Iuka and Corinth (from the University of North Carolina Press).

About this edition

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0807823201
• ISBN 13: 9780807823200
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 408