The Civil War in Tennessee, 1862-1863 - by Jack H Lepa (Paperback)

About the Book

In 1862, with the outcome of the Civil War far from certain, Union and Confederate leaders began to pinpoint locations vital for their army's success. Tennessee was one such possession. Although nominally under Confederate control, with Union loyalists in the east, Confederate supporters in the west and a mixture in the central region, the state did not have ironclad loyalty to either cause. For the Union, gaining control of Tennessee meant crippling the transportation options of the Confederacy, giving Union forces access to the rivers and mountain passes which would potentially lead them to the heart of the Confederacy and victory over the South. For the Confederacy, maintaining control of Tennessee was vital not only to protect its southernmost states but also to retain control of the state's agricultural products and mineral wealth, neither of which it could afford to lose.

Book Synopsis

In 1862, with the outcome of the Civil War far from sure, leaders on both sides began to pinpoint places vital for their army's success. For both Union and Confederate forces, Tennessee was a prize.

Drawing on contemporary sources such as memoirs and official correspondence, this book details the struggle for control of Tennessee during 1862 and 1863. It follows troop movements through some of1the worst battles, including Shiloh, Stone's River and Chickamauga. The Union victory at the battle of Chattanooga--which brought Tennessee definitively under Union control--and its consequences for both sides are discussed in detail.

Review Quotes

"excellent...highly recommend[ed]"-Civil War News; "a useful guide"-Blue & Gray Magazine; "draws on primary sources from all points of the compass...particularly good at explaining the battles"-Reference & Research Book News.

About the Author

Jack H. Lepa, the author of several Civil War books, lives in Las Vegas, retired after almost forty years in the hotel industry.