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Grierson's Raid
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Plot Summary of Grierson's Raid
"In 1863 one single military campaign started the Federal Army on its path toward eventual ultimate victory turning around two years of demoralizing losses and strategic blunders. That battle was not at Gettysburg but in fact a minor incursion into Mississippi by a cavalry force of less than 2,000 Union soldiers. Their leader Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson was given a difficult and dangerous mission by Grant to draw Confederate military attention away from the city of Vicksburg and its crucial port along the Mississippi River on the eve of the planned Union siege in April. The plan to sever telegraph lines and destroy railroad facilities approaching Vicksburg was nearly flawless through meticulous planning, perfect execution, brilliant reconnaissance, and extremely good fortune. Grierson's force was small enough to inflict damage and quickly move on but large enough to pose a threat to homeguard and civilian forces.

Confusing his adversaries by dividing his troops, the Federal Army always seemed to be a step ahead of the rebels. Grierson and his men commandeered supplies critical for the South's war effort destroying munitions, clothing, and transportation systems. In actual battle engagements they outgunned the Confederate Army killing hundreds of rebel troops, capturing hundreds more, and leading hundreds of newly liberated slaves to freedom in Baton Rouge, LA. Dealing a lethal blow to the defense of Vicksburg from which the South would never recover, the effect of this heroic and daring 16-day 600-mile raid was to embolden and energize a demoralized nation hungry for news of victory and a resolution to the war."

David Fletcher, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Grierson's Raid
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history: - 19th century
History of military? Yes
Armed Forces: - Army
Nationality? - American-Union
Specific war? - Civil War (US)

Subjects of this Historical Account
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Sympathetic
Intelligence of subject of history: - Smart

Main Adversary
From a certain profession/group? - infantry soldiers
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book.
Nationality? - American
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Somewhat Unsympathetic

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Deep South
Farm/Ranch: - farm
Farms/Ranches? Yes
If applicable, liberal/conservative? - Historian is very moderate

Style
How much gore? - 3 ()
How fast-paced is the book? - 9 ()
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
Book makes you feel... - encouraged
How much focus on stories of individuals? - Focuses mostly on history of key players
Pictures/Illustrations? - A lot
Maps necessary? - Necessary maps provided
Length of book - 150-200 pages
How much emphasis on small details? - 6 ()
Most similar books to Grierson's Raid
Testament to Union by Kathryn Allamong Jacob
Gettysburg: The Final Fury by Bruce Catton
Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
The Civil War by Robert Paul Jordan
The Story the Soldiers Wouldn't Tell: Sex in the Civil War by Thomas P. Lowry


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Tom Lalicki Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
David Fletcher  

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