TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

To successfully describe the 1862 Shenandoah Valley campaign can be a challenge because the campaign was so dynamic. Osprey Publishing recently released a new book on the campaign, “Shenandoah Valley 1862”, and unfortunately it fails to meet the challenge. The following are some examples of why it falls short. Maps are a great way to […]

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A few days ago I wrote about the ‘Ewell Option ‘ — a plan for General Richard Ewell to strike at US forces in northern Virginia in April or May 1862 — and how instead Ewell decided to stick with Stonewall Jackson and support his efforts in the Shenandoah Valley. The resulting campaign became famous and […]

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We have a tendency to view history as if through a rear view mirror, looking back along the path taken and framing what happened by how it turned out.  Since we know that in May and June of 1862 General Thomas Stonewall Jackson led a famous campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, the events leading up […]

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When reading about the the Valley Campaign of 1862  I have chuckled at how Gen. James Shields over-reacted to a non-existent threat.  Yet recently I wondered if there was something more to it.  I haven’t been able to find answers to all my questions, but what I have learned seems interesting. On June 7th, 1862 […]

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Since  it is the 150th anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862, I am going to discuss a particular aspect of the campaign – the condition of Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s command at the end of April.  During the preceding weeks Major General Nathaniel Banks had advanced up the Shenandoah Valley as far […]

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Update: Welcome to TOCWOC for those of you who have found this page through a Google Search!  If you enjoy what you’re about to read below, feel free to Subscribe to TOCWOC’s RSS feed.  Be sure to check out the Civil War Book Reviews which have been posted here and browse through TOCWOC founder Brett […]

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Air Date: 091908 Subject: Stonewall Jackson’s 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign Books: Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign Guest: Peter Cozzens Summary: Peter Cozzens discusses his new book on the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Brett’s Summary: Gerry leads off the hour by mentioning he feels as if he has known Peter Cozzens for a long time.  […]

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