The Darkest Days of the War - (Civil War America) Annotated by Peter Cozzens (Paperback)

About the Book

Darkest Days of the War: The Battles of Iuka and Corinth

Book Synopsis

During the late summer of 1862, Confederate forces attempted a three-pronged strategic advance into the North. The outcome of this offensive -- the only coordinated Confederate attempt to carry the conflict to the enemy -- was disastrous. The results at Antietam and in Kentucky are well known; the third offensive, the northern Mississippi campaign, led to the devastating and little-studied defeats at Iuka and Corinth, defeats that would open the way for Grant's attack on Vicksburg.

Peter Cozzens presents here the first book-length study of these two complex and vicious battles. Drawing on extensive primary research, he details the tactical stories of Iuka -- where nearly one-third of those engaged fell -- and Corinth -- fought under brutally oppressive conditions -- analyzing troop movements down to the regimental level. He also provides compelling portraits of Generals Grant, Rosecrans, Van Dorn, and Price, exposing the ways in which their clashing ambitions and antipathies affected the outcome of the campaign. Finally, he draws out the larger, strategic implications of the battles of Iuka and Corinth, exploring their impact on the fate of the northern Mississippi campaign, and by extension, the fate of the Confederacy.

Review Quotes

""The Darkest Days of the War" will surely be the definitive work on these sadly overlooked but interesting and significant campaigns.

Earl J. Hess, "Civil War History""

"A perceptive, balanced survey of the battles at Iuka and Corinth in Mississippi.

"The State" (Columbia, SC)"

"A tightly written, fast-paced, well-reasoned narrative that is solidly researched .

"Journal of Southwest Georgia History""

"An excellent case study of how army politics, miscommunication, and missed chances could decisively influence a campaign.

"Kirkus Reviews""

"The Darkest Days of the War" easily qualifies as the definitive work on this campaign.

"Blue & Gray"