The Battle of Ezra Church and the Struggle for Atlanta (Civil War America), by Earl J. Hess
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The Battle of Ezra Church and the Struggle for Atlanta (Civil War America), by Earl J. Hess
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Fought on July 28, 1864, the Battle of Ezra Church was a dramatic engagement during the Civil War's Atlanta Campaign. Confederate forces under John Bell Hood desperately fought to stop William T. Sherman's advancing armies as they tried to cut the last Confederate supply line into the city. Confederates under General Stephen D. Lee nearly overwhelmed the Union right flank, but Federals under General Oliver O. Howard decisively repelled every attack. After five hours of struggle, 5,000 Confederates lay dead and wounded, while only 632 Federals were lost. The result was another major step in Sherman's long effort to take Atlanta.Hess's compelling study is the first book-length account of the fighting at Ezra Church. Detailing Lee's tactical missteps and Howard's vigilant leadership, he challenges many common misconceptions about the battle. Richly narrated and drawn from an array of unpublished manuscripts and firsthand accounts, Hess's work sheds new light on the complexities and significance of this important engagement, both on and off the battlefield.
The Battle of Ezra Church and the Struggle for Atlanta (Civil War America), by Earl J. Hess- Amazon Sales Rank: #503417 in Books
- Brand: Hess, Earl J.
- Published on: 2015-05-18
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.55" h x 1.01" w x 6.28" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 288 pages
Review A detailed and fascinating analytical narrative. . . . A model of well-written Civil War History.--Library JournalLays out an engaging narrative and cross-examines misconceptions.... A welcome addition to Atlanta Campaign scholarship.--America's Civil WarBrilliantly written . . . [a] ground breaking contribution to the campaign's assemblage of canonical works from Earl Hess."--Civil War Books and Authors
Review Exploring a pivotal but often overlooked battle in the Civil War, The Battle of Ezra Church is the first book-length examination of the battle of Ezra Church. Well written and well researched, this book offers invaluable descriptions of troop movements and battle actions, as well as keen analysis of strategy and how individual battles fit into the larger context of the Atlanta Campaign. In his account of this bloody conflict, Earl Hess reminds us that he is one of the finest Civil War historians writing today.--Keith S. Bohannon, University of West GeorgiaThis excellent study builds on Earl Hess's earlier work on Sherman's Atlanta campaign, providing a gripping treatment of the last in a series of bloody engagements near the city in July 1864. The narrative reflects the author's sure grasp of sources, keen eye for biographical detail, and ability to evoke the drama and complexity of major military events. Anyone interested in the campaign that brought a sea change in both Union and Confederate national morale in 1864 will read this book with profit.--Gary W. Gallagher, author of The Union War
About the Author Earl J. Hess is Stewart W. McClelland Chair of history at Lincoln Memorial University and is the author of many books on the Civil War, including "Kennesaw Mountain" and "The Civil War in the West."
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Most helpful customer reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A real look at what the war was like By James W. Durney The Confederate Army of Tennessee has a history of fights between officers and with Richmond that almost eclipse their fighting the North.An important part of this story takes place around Atlanta as Hood tries to stop Sherman from occupying the city.The battles to control Atlanta are often seen as one continuous process not as individual events resulting in “fly over” history.Ezra Church a major event is this saga, needs, deserves and benefits from this excellent book.Earl J. Hess is one of my favorite authors, combining excellent writing skills with in-depth knowledge and insightful comments.His willingness to write on less popular topics makes real contributions to the knowledge available to us.All of this is on display in this book giving the reader an informative and enjoyable experience.The book opens with a look at both armies and the military situation.A look at the commanders emphasizes the similarities between S.D. Lee and O.O. Howard.Both have questions about their abilities, both are new to the command and both are outsiders to the officers and men they command.Additionally, Hood and Lee are under pressure from Richmond to fight.The author makes an intelligent and interesting suggestion as to why Jefferson Davis elevated Hood and Lee over other Army of Tennessee officers.The battle history is by brigade/division attack by attack which works well, give the isolated efforts by the Confederates.This is closely contrasted by the cooperative defensive efforts and hands-on attitude of Howard and Logan.Battles are fought by men and the author never lets us forget that as he carefully balances battle history with personal stories.After the battle, wounded have to be cared for, dead have to be buried and reports written.The author fully covers this giving the reader a real look at what the war was like.The maps are basic but sufficient, illustrations and photographs complement the text.The book has endnotes, a full index and bibliography.This is a UNC publication meaning a physically handsome book that is a pleasure to hold, one that reflects well on the giver and makes the receiver extra happy.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Review of the Audiobook By DWD's Reviews Published in May of 2015 by Blackstone AudioRead by Joe BarrettDuration: 8 hours, 29 minutesUnabridgedDuring the Atlanta campaign in the Summer of 1864 Confederate President Jefferson Davis changed the nature of the campaign with the simple stroke of a pen.Up to that point, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman was slowly forcing his way southward towards Atlanta by way of a series of flanking maneuvers. His opponent, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, was slowly retreating, hoping to find an opening for a fatal strike against his opponent. Unfortunately for him, Sherman's mistakes were too small to be exploited and eventually Johnston found himself backed up against Atlanta itself.At this point, President Davis intervened and removed Johnston on July 17, replacing him with John Bell Hood. While Johnston was cautious, Hood was by nature an aggressive general. Also, given the circumstances of Johnston's removal, Hood knew that his president expected offensive action to drive the Union army away from Atlanta.So, Hood complied. On July 20, 22 and 28 there were attacks to stop the Union advance. All of them were costly to the Confederate army since they were running low on everything, including soldiers.The Battle of Ezra Church started out as yet another flanking maneuver by the Union army under newly promoted General O.O. Howard. The goal was to reach the railroad line and further cut off Atlanta. Hood knew that the Union army would try for this railroad line and he sent men out stop them. Interestingly, they were also under the command of a new general, Stephen D. Lee.One of the more interesting story lines of the book is how these two experienced armies dealt with the transplanted officers brought in to lead them (Howard easily gets the nod here). But, there is more than that. It is also a story of Hood vs. Sherman and Hood's style vs. Johnston's style.The actual details of the battle are well-researched but not presented in a a particularly interesting manner. I think that is mostly due to the nature of the battle. General Stephen Lee sent his men in successive waves. The story of the battle is repetitive as the Confederates make a foolhardy charge against hastily assembled union defenses, retreat and gather themselves up and charge again. Meanwhile, the Union forces are reinforced just in time and make another defensive stand.This is not to say that were are interesting tales inside of the larger tale, but this was an audiobook and the repetitive nature of the battle made me wonder more than once if I was re-listening to part of the story.Who won? Well, that is actually a matter of some debate. The Union objective (the railroad) was not reached so the Confederates can claim that as a victory. But, the cost in men was so high, perhaps as many as 5 Confederates killed for every 1 Union soldier, that the Union can claim that as a victory. Also, the nature of the battle is odd - the Union soldiers were technically on offense but they hid behind hastily constructed defensive positions while the Confederates, who were technically on defense, charged those positions repeatedly and eventually withdrew.The last three chapters of the book were quite excellent. They dealt with the immediate aftermath of the battle and how they dealt with all of the wounded and the dead. It also included some of the internal bickering in Hood's army as Lee tried to deflect blame to everyone else and still claim a victory. In the Union army, Howard was accepted as a tried and true leader by most of his army even though he was forced to fight on his second day as its general. The last chapter dealt with the last few days of the campaign for Atlanta.Joe Barrett read this audiobook. I have heard him read other audiobooks and I am not usually very fond of his "folksy" voice. But, his unique style worked well with the extensive quotes from letters and reports read throughout this audiobook.I rate this audiobook 4 stars out of 5.Note: I was sent a copy of this audiobook by the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox's Solid Gold Reviewer Program.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good Study of the 3rd Major Battle for Atlanta By KJAG SYNOPSISThe book details the 3rd of four major battles for Atlanta, this one on 28 July 1864 just to the west of Atlanta that pitted two of Hood’s three infantry corps (Stephen Lee’s and Stewart’s) against O. Howard’s smaller Army of the Tennessee, which had held off Hood’s surprise attack six days earlier east of Atlanta.While Howard’s forces were in the process of moving south to cut off the last of Hood’s remaining railroads, Hood moved Lee’s Corps into a blocking position along the east-west Lick Skillet Road with the anticipation of moving Stewart’s Corp along the road the following day to flank the Federal forces and deliver a devastating blow while it was separated from Sherman’s other two Armies. Contrary to Hood’s orders to act as a blocking force and secure the roadway, Lee—who had just arrived the previous day to Atlanta to take over Polk’s old Corps—decided to go on the offensive instead, and sent his brigades forward in piecemeal fashion.Howard, who had been directed by Sherman to face his army east toward the Atlanta defenses while bivouacking overnight, guarded against a potential attack on his right flank and refused his line facing south with Logan’s XV Corp, who built rudimentary breastworks along a ridge, with pickets and skirmishers posted to its front. Instead of a surprise attack on Howard’s Army caught out in the open, Lee found Union troops ready and waiting for them the following morning behind an effective defensive line.Lee, sensing defeat after wearing out his corps in repeated and uncoordinated brigade-level attacks along Logan’s front, and hoping to salvage his reputation, convinced Stewart (whose corps was arriving on the field that afternoon) that Howard’s Army was ready to break and needed his troops to secure the victory. Stewart then sent in his brigades in similar piecemeal fashion as they arrived on the field. While Logan’s troops were beginning to fatigue and experience weapon overheating and fouling issues, Howard brought up fresh regiments from his other two Corp, and Stewart’s attacks were also repulsed with heavy losses.That night, the Confederate troops moved back to Atlanta’s established defensive works, extending the defensive line southward to stay between the railroad and Sherman’s forces, leaving hundreds of their dead and wounded on the field in front of Logan’s line. Confederate casualties totaled at least 3,000, with Federal casualties totaling 642. Stewart and one of his division commanders (Loring) were wounded, joining many other Confederate officers including multiple brigade and regimental commanders who were killed or wounded. Ironically, because of heavy Confederate casualties—which Hood considered as a measure of a successful engagement—and because the railway remained out of Union hands for the time being, Hood defended Lee’s initiative. Incredibly, in his memoirs, Hood blames Johnston for this loss and all his losses around Atlanta, stating that the troops had become too timid from fighting behind breastworks earlier in the campaign. If they were too timid, then why such high casualties near, at, and behind Union defensive lines?The author does a very good job following up the battle with details on the carnage of the battlefield, burials, and the suffering and care of the wounded, as well as an analysis of the casualties and the impact the battle had on both armies and the campaign, why the battle was won or lost, and the futile efforts to preserve the battlefield.The book includes an Order of Battle (OOB) listing commanders down to the regimental level, with notations indicating who was killed or wounded.READABILITY AND STORYTELLINGThis book is relatively easy to read and comprehend, and flows rather well chronologically. The grammar, word choice, organization, and editing is good. The book is relatively free of typos, misspellings, missing words, etc.The author does a good job of providing an overview of the current political situation on both sides, the Atlanta campaign, and the lead up to the battle. He also provides what I felt to be even-handed descriptions of the leaders’ personalities and decision-making. I would have liked more on the actual communications between officers, and their activities and demeanor during the battle, that I have read in other battle studies. I detected no bias regarding leaders or sides. Hero worshipers may disagree. The author identifies mistakes and unflattering behavior on both sides, as well as instances of heroism and outstanding leadership where it is due.The battle narrative is adequate but not the most engaging. I would not consider it to be the most lively or engrossing material compared to some other battle studies I’ve read, although first person observations by participants do give readers a sense of the horror, chaos, futility, courage, and carnage of the battle. The narrative reads more like “this is what happened” vs. “you are there experiencing the battle,” which some authors are very good at (as long as the drama and dynamics of battle are based on credible source material, and not manufactured or based on sources that are often not credible, e.g., period newspaper articles).ILLUSTRATIONSMaps of unit (brigade and regiment) movements and alignments facing off are rudimentary but adequate. The black and white maps are relatively easy to understand, appropriately titled, but do not show vegetation, open areas, or elevated features other than a crudely outlined ridge depicting the Federal defensive line, and do not include the time or period of day. Major roads, waterways, railways, and key features, e.g., buildings are included. A map of the area of operations is also included.Photographs are limited to portraits of key leaders. There are a handful of period drawings of the battle and of federal troops near or on their defensive line.HARDBACK BOOK QUALITYThe hardback book is of average size, with a fairly good quality dust cover. The binding is good and page quality OK. The text is dark, clean, and easy to read, although the font is relatively small.CONCLUSIONS AND AFTERTHOUGHTSThis is a good book overall, and I recommend it. It is particularly significant given the absence of books dedicated to this particular battle, although a number of “campaign” books provide summarized descriptions.
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