Stonewall in the Valley: Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's Shenandoah Valley…

This massive work about Thomas J. Jackson's valley campaign (revised from the 1976 edition) offers a close look from the Southern point of view. Usually, the campaign is presented as a set-piece of Jackson outgeneralling mediocre Union opponents (Banks, Fremont) according to a preconceived masterplan. Tanner instead shows how Jackson had to adapt and revise his plans to accomodate superiors (Johnston, Lee), fellow generals (Ewell, Loring, Ed. Johnson), inferior supply and unruly cavalry. While Jackson achieved local numerical superiority on many battlefields due to marching his infantry ruthlessly and tirelessly across the valley, he never wiped out an opponent completely. At the end of the campaign, Jackson and his troops were spent. Instead of rest, they participated in the Seven Days campaign where their numbers were essential but their performance mostly mediocre.

The book is well-researched and lively. Its approach is similar to Freeman's Lee's Lieutentants focussing on Southern strategy and command,but Tanner also interweaves first-hand testimony of privates and civilians. Although an appendix deals with the Northern strategy, I would have welcomed more information about the other side. Also, the maps are only of average quality. Overall, an important work about a famous sideshow of the American Civil War. ( )