The largest offensive of the Civil War, involving army, navy,
and marine forces, the Peninsula Campaign has inspired many history
books. No previous work, however, analyzes Union general George B.
McClellan's massive assault toward Richmond in the context of
current and enduring military doctrine. "The Peninsula Campaign of
1862: A Military Analysis" fills this void. Background history is
provided for continuity, but the heart of this book is military
analysis and the astonishing extent to which the personality traits
of generals often overwhelm even the best efforts of their
armies.
The Peninsula Campaign lends itself to such a study. Lessons for
those studying the art of war are many. On water, the first
ironclads forever changed naval warfare. At the strategic level,
McClellan's inability to grasp Lincoln's grand objective becomes
evident. At the operational level, Robert E. Lee's difficulty in
synchronizing his attacks deepens the mystique of how he achieved
so much with so little. At the tactical level, the Confederate use
of terrain to trade space for time allows for a classic study in
tactics.
Moreover, the campaign is full of lessons about the personal
dimension of war. McClellan's overcaution, Lee's audacity, and
Jackson's personal exhaustion all provide valuable insights for
today's commanders and for Civil War enthusiasts still debating
this tremendous struggle. Historic photos and detailed battle maps
make this study an invaluable resource for those touring the many
battlegrounds from Young's Mill and Yorktown through Fair Oaks to
the final throes of the Seven Days' Battles.
General
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