Synopses & Reviews
Originally published by UNC Press in 1989, Fighting for the Confederacy is one of the richest personal accounts in all of the vast literature on the Civil War. Alexander was involved in nearly all of the great battles of the East, from First Manassas through Appomattox, and his duties brought him into frequent contact with most of the high command of the Army of Northern Virginia, including Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and James Longstreet. No other Civil War veteran of his stature matched Alexander's ability to discuss operations in penetrating detailthis is especially true of his description of Gettysburg. His narrative is also remarkable for its utterly candid appraisals of leaders on both sides.
Review
[A] new landmark in Civil War historiography, one that no historian of the period can afford to ignore.
Journal of Southern History
Review
The publication of
Fighting for the Confederacy constitutes the most important addition to Confederate historiography in years.
Civil War History
Review
Alexander's new memoirs are relaxed and engaging, lacking the self-importance that mars the memoirs of a good many soldiers.
American Heritage
Synopsis
First published by UNC Press in 1989, Porter Alexander's Fighting for the Confederacy is now considered one of the richest personal accounts of the Civil War. Intended for family and intimate friends, it is an insider's candid and evocative assessment of people and events.
Alexander was involved in nearly all of the great battles of the East and had frequent contact with the high command of the Army of Northern Virginia. A West Point graduate, he also is the author of Military Memoirs of a Confederate (1907), an acclaimed general history of Lee's army.
Synopsis
Rescued from an archive and published only eight years ago, this private memoir by Confederate General Porter Alexander is now recognized as one of the best books by a participant in the Civil War.
Synopsis
[A]ltogether livelier and more irreverent than anything in Grant's and Sherman's books.
New Republic [A] new landmark in Civil War historiography, one that no historian of the period can afford to ignore.
Journal of Southern History The publication of Fighting for the Confederacy constitutes the most important addition to Confederate historiography in years.
Civil War History Alexander's new memoirs are relaxed and engaging, lacking the self-importance that mars the memoirs of a good many soldiers.
American Heritage This book is destined to become a classic. It is simply must reading.
Blue and Gray
About the Author
Gary W. Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor of History at the University of Virginia.Gary W. Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor of History at the University of Virginia.
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Editor's Note
Chapter 1. Early Days
Chapter 2. First Manassas or Bull Run
Chapter 3. Fall and Winter after Bull Run
Chapter 4. Seven Days
Chapter 5. Second Manassas Campaign
Chapter 6. Sharpsburg Campaign
Chapter 7. The Fall of 1862
Chapter 8. The Battle of Fredericksburg
Chapter 9. Winter after Fredericksburg
Chapter 10. Battle of Chancellorsville
Chapter 11. The Gettysburg Campaign
Chapter 12. Chickamauga
Chapter 13. Chattanooga and Knoxville
Chapter 14. Spring of 1864
Chapter 15. Wilderness and Spottsylvania
Chapter 16. North Anna and Drury's Bluff
Chapter 17. Totopotomoy and Cold Harbor
Chapter 18. Passage of James River
Chapter 19. Siege of Petersburg
Chapter 20. Fall of 1864
Chapter 21. Fall and Winter of 1864 and '65
Chapter 22. Appomattox
Notes
Index
Figures
1. Hogshead and platform
2. Hogs on "sawpit" timbers
3. Projectile with hole through long axis
4. Vicinity of First Manassas battlefield
5. Strategic situation prior to First Manassas
6. First issue Confederate flag
7. Army of Northern Virginia battle flag
8. Confederate flag with cross as union
9. Confederate flag surrounded by stars
10. Lt. Gen James Longstreet late in life
11. Peninsula of Virginia
12. Battlefield at Seven Pines
13. Battlefield at Mechanicsville
14. Battlefield at Gaines's Mill
15. Terrain at White Oak Swamp
16. Strategic situation on the Richmond-Petersburg front, 1862
17. Virginia and Maryland
18. Potomac River near Shepherdstown
19. Battlefield at Sharpsburg
20. Battlefield at Fredericksburg
...
75. General Lee's return to his lines after surrender
76. McLean House, Appomattox Court House