The wide-ranging and largely ignored operations around Petersburg, Virginia, were the longest and most extensive of the entire Civil War. The fighting began in June of 1864, when advance elements from the Union Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and botched a series of attacks against a thinly defended city. The fighting ended nine long months later in the first days of April of 1865. In Volume I of The Petersburg Campaign, legendary historian Edwin C. Bearss detailed the first six major engagements on the "Eastern Front," from the initial attack on the city on June 9 through the Second Battle of Ream's Station on August 25, 1864. In Volume II, Bearss turns his attention and pen to the final half-dozen large-scale combats in The Petersburg Campaign: The Western Front Battles, September 1864 - April 1865, now available in paperback. Although commonly referred to as the "Siege of Petersburg," the city (as well as the Confederate capital at Richmond) was never fully isolated and the combat involved much more than static trench warfare. In fact, much of the wide-ranging fighting involved massive multi-corps Union offensives designed to cut important roads and rail lines feeding Petersburg and Richmond. This second installment includes these major battles: - Peebles' Farm (September 29 - October 1, 1864) - Burgess Mill (October 27, 1864) - Hatcher's Run (February 5 - 7, 1865) - Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865) - Five Forks Campaign (March 29 - April 1, 1865) - The Sixth Corps Breaks Lee's Petersburg Lines (April 2, 1865) Accompanying these salient chapters are two dozen original maps by Civil War cartographer George Skoch, coupled with photos and illustrations. Taken together, these two volumes present the most comprehensive and thorough understanding of the major military episodes comprising the fascinating Petersburg Campaign.

About the Author
Edwin C. Bearss was a world-renowned military historian, author, preservationist, and tour guide best known for his work on the Civil War. While serving in the Marines during WWII, Ed was severely wounded at "Suicide Creek" in New Britain and spent more than two years in military hospitals. He served as the Chief Historian for both Vicksburg National Military Park and the National Park Service, authored dozens of books and articles, and led scores of battlefield tours each year. Ed is credited with discovering and helping raise the Union gunboat USS Cairo from the Yazoo River, which is now on display at Vicksburg National Military Park. Ed passed away on September 15, 2020, at the age of 97. Bryce A. Suderow is a Civil War writer and researcher living in Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor of arts at Knox College and earned a master's in American history at Sonoma State University. His master's thesis, Thunder in Arcadia Valley, was published in 1985 (University of Missouri). Bryce has also published many articles in a number of Civil War periodicals and is recognized as one of the finest archival researchers working today.


Book Information
ISBN 9781611215335
Author Edwin C. Bearss
Format Paperback
Page Count 600
Imprint Savas Beatie
Publisher Savas Beatie