A Soldier To The Last: Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler in Blue and Gray - Softcover

Longacre, Edward G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1597971588 ISBN 13: 9781597971584

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc., 2008

Synopsis

Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler served in two armies, playing a major role in the development of Confederate cavalry in the Civil War's western theatre, and, more than thirty years afterwards, commanded troops in the Spanish-American War. After leaving the U.S. Army to join the Confederacy, Wheeler served in artillery and infantry units before joining the cavalry. Subsequently, he fought at Shiloh, the Battle of Murfreesboro, and other engagements. As a cavalry commander in the Army of Tennessee from mid-1862 almost to the war's end, he raided Gen. William T. Sherman's lines of communication and contested his advance in the final Carolinas campaign. In addition to detailing Wheeler's Civil War experience, Edward Longacre discusses Wheeler's youth and education at West Point, his pre-Civil War service in the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, his post-war business, his political career as a congressman from Alabama, and his colourful service in Cuba as a major general of volunteers during the Spanish-American War. Longacre also seeks to correct errors and misconceptions about this Civil War figure that have become a part of the public record, making Joseph Wheeler's life and career accessible to a new generation of readers. A Soldier to the Last will be a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in Civil War history and U.S. military history.

About this title

Review:

"'Fightin' Joe' Wheeler has long been a controversial military figure. A West Point graduate and Indian fighter, the Georgia-born Wheeler led an infantry regiment at Shiloh before going on to the command of Confederate cavalry in the Western theater, wearing the stars of a major general by age twenty-six. After a postwar career in law and politics, Wheeler would again don a blue uniform to serve in the war with Spain. In A Soldier to the Last, Edward Longacre--preeminent authority on this period in American history--gives his readers a revealing, balanced, and insightful view of a most fascinating character."--Walter Brian Cisco, author of Wade Hampton: Confederate Warrior, Conservative Statesman--Walter Brian Cisco

"Edward Longacre presents a sympathetic but judicious examination of one of the Confederacy's most important cavalry officers."--Journal of America's Military Past--Journal of America's Military Past (04/16/2008)

"There are not many who can match Longacre's qualifications as a student of Civil War cavalry...he has executed his study of Wheeler effectively. His research in both primary and secondary sources is thorough; his narrative of events is clear and straightforward."--Journal of Southern History-- (05/22/2008)

"This book is very well-written and edited. It has quality in construction. This is a great addition to your Confederate bookshelf. You will enjoy learning about General Wheeler."--Lone Star-- (05/22/2008)

"A Soldier to the Last is sure to reinvigorate studies of the Army of Tennessee's frequently dysfunctional command and its strategic philosophies. It should also serve as a new platform to investigate Civil War historiography on the western theater, public memory, and reconciliation."--Journal of Military History-- (08/21/2008)

"A solid biography of one of the more colorful characters to come out of the Civil War...An interesting and informative addition to the literature of the war."--NYMAS Review--NYMAS Review (11/06/2008)

Synopsis:

Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler served in two armies, playing a major role in the development of Confederate cavalry and - more than thirty years afterward - commanding U.S. troops in the Spanish-American War. After leaving the U.S. Army to join the Confederacy, Wheeler fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, and other engagements. As a cavalry commander, he raided Sherman's lines of communication and contested his advance in the Carolinas. In addition to detailing Wheeler's Civil War experience, Edward Longacre discusses his youth and his education at West Point, his pre-Civil War military service, his postwar business and political careers, and his colorful service in Cuba as a major general of volunteers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1597971588
• ISBN 13: 9781597971584
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320