Taken at the Flood: Robert E. Lee and Confederate Strategy in the Maryland Campaign of 1862

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Kent State University Press, 1999 - Biography & Autobiography - 649 pages
An account of the Maryland Campaign of 1862. It focuses on military policy and strategy, examining the context necessary to understand that strategy and the circumstances under which the two commanders, Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan, laboured.

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Contents

Lee to the Rescue
254
The Battle of Boonsboro
256
Jackson Tightens the Noose
267
The Battle of Cramptons Gap
275
The First Retreat
284
We will make our stand on these hills Lees Hope Renewed September 15 1862
298
Lee Stands at Sharpsburg
299
The Pursuit Ends
308

A New Turning Movement
46
The OpenEnded Decision
50
The Dranesville Dispatch September 3
54
More fully persuaded Lee Crosses the Potomac September 46 1862
66
Clearing the Decks
70
Leesburg War Council
80
Jacksons Crossing September 5
85
Frederick Occupied September 6
99
In this I was disappointed Lee Revises His Strategy September 79 1862
110
Restful Sabbath September 7
111
Lee Dabbles in Politics September 8
120
The Intrusion of Jeff Davis September 9
127
The Walker Interview
133
Frederick Council of War
145
The Writing of Special Orders No 191
152
Intercept such as may attempt escape Lees BestLaid Plans September 1012 1862
168
The Second Day of the Valley Expedition September 11
182
Lee at Hagerstown September 12
190
The Watershed of the Maryland Campaign
198
More rapidly than convenient Lees Plans Unravel September 13 1862
212
Some Concern in the Morning
213
The Pendulum Swings Back
223
The Lost Orders Found
237
The Crisis by Eventide
242
The day has gone against us Lee Stands at the Mountain Gaps September 14 1862
253
The Surrender of Harpers Ferry
315
Lees Resolve Strengthened
322
All will be right Lees Last Chance for Maneuver September 16 1862
330
Lee and the Whims of War
334
McClellan Shuts the Window
344
Lee Accepts Battle at Sharpsburg
354
A hard days work before us Lees Bloodiest Day September 17 1862
368
15 to 9OO AM
370
3O to 930 AM
377
00 AM to 100 PM
385
30 AM to 13O PM
395
30 AM to 200 PM
401
00 to 500 PM
413
Night of Reckoning
424
Until none but heroes are left Antietam Endgame September 1821 1862 and After
430
Williamsport the Last Gambit September 1819
444
Checkmate at Shepherdstown September 1921
452
Echoes of Maryland
471
We have tried the utmost Lees Venture Risked and Lost
480
Verdicts of History
481
Lees Overland Campaign of 1862A Shore Too Far
490
Notes
497
Bibliography
591
Index
613
Copyright

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Page vi - There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.
Page 162 - Longstreet, Jackson, and McLaws, and with the main body of the cavalry, will cover the route of the army and bring up all stragglers that may have been left behind. The commands of Generals Jackson, McLaws, and Walker, after accomplishing the objects for which they have been detached, will join the main body of the army at Boonsboro or Hagerstown.
Page 127 - The proposal of peace would enable the people of the United States to determine at their coming elections whether they will support those who favor a prolongation of the war or those who wish to bring it to a termination which can but be productive of good to both parties without affecting the honor of either.
Page 126 - Such a proposition, coming from us at this time, could in no way be regarded as suing for peace ; but, being made when it is in our power to inflict injury upon our adversary, would show conclusively to the world that our sole object is the establishment of our independence and the attainment of an honorable peace.
Page 161 - Middletown he will take the route to Harper's Ferry, and by Friday morning possess himself of the Maryland Heights, and endeavor to capture the enemy at Harper's Ferry and vicinity.
Page 509 - The condition of Maryland encouraged the belief that the presence of our army, however inferior to that of the enemy, would induce the Washington Government to retain all its available force to provide against contingencies which its course toward the people of that State gave it reason to apprehend.
Page 157 - Sbarpsburg, cross the Potomac at the most convenient point, and, by Friday night, take possession of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, capture such of the enemy as may be at Martinsburg, and intercept such as may attempt to escape from Harper's Ferry.
Page 161 - Ford on his left, and the road between the end of the mountain and the Potomac on his right. He will, as far as practicable, co-operate with General McLaws and General Jackson in intercepting the retreat of the enemy "General DH Hill's division will form the rear guard of the army, pursuing the road taken by the main body.
Page 126 - The rejection of this offer would prove to the country that the responsibility of the continuance of the war does not rest upon us, but that the party in power in the United States elect to prosecute it for purposes of their own.

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