From Cedar Mountain To Antietam

Edward J. Stackpole's *From Cedar Mountain to Antietam* offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the pivotal 1862 Virginia and Maryland campaigns. This acclaimed work meticulously details the critical movements and engagements that stretched from the relatively smaller clash at Cedar Mountain, through the intense Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run), and culminating in the bloody and strategically significant Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). As a revision of the widely respected 1959 edition, which had long been out of print (OP), this updated version ensures that Stackpole's clear understanding of command decisions, troop movements, and the overall strategic context of these defining moments in the American Civil War remains accessible to new generations of readers. This book belongs on the "Best books by Edward J. Stackpole" list because it exemplifies his distinct talent for rendering complex military campaigns both understandable and compelling. Stackpole was renowned for his ability to synthesize vast amounts of information into readable narratives that appealed to both casual history buffs and serious students alike. *From Cedar Mountain to Antietam* showcases his strength in analyzing command decisions and the flow of battle without getting bogged down in excessive minutiae, offering a valuable strategic overview of one of the war's most critical periods. Its concise yet authoritative treatment of the 1862 campaign cements its place as a cornerstone of his impressive body of work, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to grasp the tactical and strategic realities of the Eastern Theater in that crucial year.