The Peninsula Campaign of 1862: A Military Analysis

The Peninsula Campaign of 1862: A Military Analysis by Kevin Dougherty with J. Michael Moore A military history of McClellans ambitious drive on Richmond and the genius and fortune by which Lee foiled it. The largest offensive of the Civil War, involving army, navy, and marine forces, the Peninsula Campaign has inspired many history books. No previous work, however, analyzes Union general George B. McClellans massive assault toward Richmond in the context of current and enduring military doctrine. The Peninsula Campaign of 1862: A Military Analysis is an effort to fill this void. Background history is provided for continuity, but the heart of this book is in military analysis and the astonishing extent to which the personality traits of generals will often overwhelm even the best efforts of their armies. The Peninsula Campaign lends itself to such a study. In the book, lessons for those studying the art of war are many. On the waters, the first ironclads forever changed naval warfare. At the strategic level, McClellans inability to grasp Lincolns grand objective becomes evident. At the operational level, Robert E. Lees difficulty in synchronizing his attacks deepens the mystique of how he achieved so much with so little. At the tactical level, the Confederate use of terrain to trade space for time allows for a classic study in tactics. Moreover, the campaign is full of lessons about the personal dimension of war. McClellans overcaution, Lees audacity, and Jacksons personal exhaustion all provide valuable insights for todays commanders and for Civil War enthusiasts still debating this tremendous struggle. Historic photos and detailed battle maps make this study an invaluable resource for those touring all the many battlegrounds from Youngs Mill and Yorktown through Fair Oaks to the final throes of the Seven Days Battles. Kevin Dougherty is a professor of military science at the University of Southern Mississippi. J. Michael Moore is the registrar of Lee Hall Mansion.