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Lauded for gallantry at Antietam and demoted for insubordination after Fredericksburg, Major General William "Baldy" Smith remains a controversial figure of the Civil War. His criticism of the Union high command made him unpopular with both peers and superiors. Yet his insight as an officer and an engineer enabled him to offer effective solutions to challenges faced by fellow generals. In this first comprehensive biography, Smith emerges as a field commander with deep concern for his men and a fearless critic of the failures of the Union generalship, who was recognized for a strategic perspective that helped save Federal armies.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Chapter I. From Saint Albans to Atlantic Coast Lighthouses: The Making of an Engineer
Chapter II. Smith Prepares for War: The Making of a Brigade Commander
Chapter III. Smith Readies His Division: Drills, Reconnaissances, and Army Politics
Chapter IV. Tactical Insight Frustrated: Smith's Division Moves Up the Peninsula
Chapter V. Shielding the Retreat: Smith's Division from the Seven Days to Harrison's Landing
Chapter VI. Smith in the Maryland Campaign: Hard Fighting, Insights Frustrated Again, and McClellan's Departure
Chapter VII. Smith's Corps Command During the Fredericksburg Campaign: The Trials of a Democratic General
Chapter VIII. Smith's Command in the Gettysburg Campaign: Ancillary Military Efforts and Continued Political Trials
Chapter IX. Smith Secures the Army in Chattanooga: An Engineer of Victory
Chapter X. Smith's Continued Success at Chattanooga: And His Triumphant Return East
Chapter XI. Smith in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign: A Critic of Defeat
Chapter XII. The Critic of Defeat in the Overland Campaign: The Battle of Cold Harbor
Chapter XIII. Smith Before Petersburg: The Last Campaign
Chapter XIV. The Critic of Defeat Is Removed
Chapter XV. The Conclusion of Smith's Army Service
Chapter XVI. Smith's Postwar Civilian Life
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Stephen Nicholas Siciliano teaches American Civil War history and serves as the vice president for educational services at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan.
