Synopses & Reviews
Few events in Civil War history have generated such deliberate mythmaking as the retreat that ended at Appomattox. William Marvel offers the first history of the Appomattox campaign written primarily from contemporary source material, with a skeptical eye toward memoirs published well after the events they purport to describe.
Few events in Civil War history have generated such deliberate mythmaking as the retreat that ended at Appomattox. William Marvel offers the first history of the Appomattox campaign written primarily from contemporary source material, with a skeptical eye toward memoirs published well after the events they purport to describe.
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Marvel shows that during the final week of the war in Virginia, Lee's troops were more numerous yet far less faithful to their cause than has been suggested. He also proves accounts of the congenial intermingling of the armies at Appomattox to be shamelessly overblown and the renowned exchange of salutes to be apocryphal.
Review
"Contradicting popular belief that Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was defeated because it was vastly outnumbered, out-equipped, and out-fed, Marvel sets the record straight on the last retreat and surrender of the Confederate army."--Library Journal
Review
"Offers thought-provoking analyses and insights that will likely stir debate."--Washington Post Book World
Review
"Marvel has cut away much distortion and hyperbole from the Appomattox story."--Washington Times
Review
"This book establishes a new baseline for discussions about Lee's last campaign."--Journal of Southern History
Synopsis
Debunking many of the myths that have surrounded the Confederate retreat to Appomattox, Marvel shows that Lee's last days with the Army of Northern Virginia were chaotic, marked by fierce skirmishes and an uncertain outcome.
Synopsis
"A worthwhile and solidly researched history that broadens our understanding of what happened during Lee's final, disastrous retreat."--Civil War News "Offers thought-provoking analyses and insights that will likely stir debate."--Washington Post Book World "Contradicting popular belief that Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was defeated because it was vastly outnumbered, out-equipped, and out-fed, Marvel sets the record straight on the last retreat and surrender of the Confederate army."--Library Journal "Marvel has cut away much distortion and hyperbole from the Appomattox story."--Washington Times "This book establishes a new baseline for discussions about Lee's last campaign."--Journal of Southern History
About the Author
William Marvel's many books include A Place Called Appomattox, Lee's Last Retreat: The Flight to Appomattox, and The Alabama and the Kearsarge: The Sailor's Civil War (all from the University of North Carolina Press). He lives in South Conway, New Hampshire.