Dear List Members;
I purchased a copy of Mr. Kim Bernard Holien's book named Battle at Ball's Bluff.
I was very impressed by Mr. Holien's efforts in digging for information, facts and first hand accounts.
Not only did Mr. Holien tell of the battle but, events leading up to it; the battle itself and the inexcusable acts to besmirch Brig. General Stone; making him a scape goat with so much 'b.s.' and hearsay evidence. (It really has me furious towards the Radical Republicans in the Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War.) Included is the aftermath of the battle.
Not only does Mr. Holien dig beyond the surface of the Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War; but--also how Stone was arrested on charges that were never put on paper/documented; denied access to lawyers, friends, while all along begging for a chance to get a transcript of the committees' hearings.
Mr. Holien also gives the foundation of why retired Colonel Stone was called by Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott personally and the first civilian to be called into active service. His treatment later was shameful and McClellan did little in standing up to the 'run-a-muck' Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War. McClellan and Lincoln deemed Stone blameless but, Stone suffered as the scape goat.
This book also gives the CSA side of the events as well as the Union's side; the tragedy of misinformation, excited junior officers which shift the Stone plan into making Col. Baker into going to Ball's Bluff; to which lead up to the disaster.
The book follows through with the 'main characters' biography, to include the members of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, CSA and Union commanders as well.
I must also mention; that there are wonderful artifacts pictured in the book, letters, the 'official reports' and 'orders' are included into the book as you read, so you can follow through how the events follow one by one.
I never seen so many references and so much effort to go beyond the battle; before it happened and after it happened. A refreshing book indeed, especially for me, as I hate to read books. LOL
I haven't read a book so well detailed and would work well with a forensic mind set. It is very much an anatomy of the battle at Ball's Bluff.
Out of five stars; I give it a: five.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
I purchased a copy of Mr. Kim Bernard Holien's book named Battle at Ball's Bluff.
I was very impressed by Mr. Holien's efforts in digging for information, facts and first hand accounts.
Not only did Mr. Holien tell of the battle but, events leading up to it; the battle itself and the inexcusable acts to besmirch Brig. General Stone; making him a scape goat with so much 'b.s.' and hearsay evidence. (It really has me furious towards the Radical Republicans in the Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War.) Included is the aftermath of the battle.
Not only does Mr. Holien dig beyond the surface of the Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War; but--also how Stone was arrested on charges that were never put on paper/documented; denied access to lawyers, friends, while all along begging for a chance to get a transcript of the committees' hearings.
Mr. Holien also gives the foundation of why retired Colonel Stone was called by Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott personally and the first civilian to be called into active service. His treatment later was shameful and McClellan did little in standing up to the 'run-a-muck' Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War. McClellan and Lincoln deemed Stone blameless but, Stone suffered as the scape goat.
This book also gives the CSA side of the events as well as the Union's side; the tragedy of misinformation, excited junior officers which shift the Stone plan into making Col. Baker into going to Ball's Bluff; to which lead up to the disaster.
The book follows through with the 'main characters' biography, to include the members of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, CSA and Union commanders as well.
I must also mention; that there are wonderful artifacts pictured in the book, letters, the 'official reports' and 'orders' are included into the book as you read, so you can follow through how the events follow one by one.
I never seen so many references and so much effort to go beyond the battle; before it happened and after it happened. A refreshing book indeed, especially for me, as I hate to read books. LOL
I haven't read a book so well detailed and would work well with a forensic mind set. It is very much an anatomy of the battle at Ball's Bluff.
Out of five stars; I give it a: five.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Bringing the