Re: Any recommended reading on Antietam?
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 10:58 pm
I'd recommend Antietam, South Mountain, and Harper's Ferry: A Battlefield Guide by Ethan S. Rafuse. While more helpful on a visit, it does provide a tactical breakdown of all three battles accompanied by decent maps.
A second publication of Carmen's Manuscript, this one by Thomas G. Clemens, is also available. Only the first volume, covering South Mountain and Harper's Ferry, has been released so far. Having not read Pierro's edition, I don't know how they compare, but Clemens extensive notes evaluate (and sometimes correct) Carmen's analysis.
There's also http://antietam.aotw.org/, a great website with hundreds of original reports and documents, and one that I've noticed is listed as source material for some of the scenarios. Another favorite is http://www.antietam.stonesentinels.com/ ... rstown.php, which is the best online battlefield tour I have been able to find so far. And there is http://www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm, the NPS website which has useful information as well.
With the exceptions of the Pierro, Murfin, Hoptak books, I own and enjoy all the books previously listed. Sears is a good overview and introduction to the Maryland Campaign and Frassanito gives you some personal looks into the battle. Gallagher's book is also good, but it is a series of essays and most of the topics don't deal with specific events or with secondary issues; for example, one looks at the effectiveness of William Nelson Pendleton, Lee's Chief of Artillery.
A second publication of Carmen's Manuscript, this one by Thomas G. Clemens, is also available. Only the first volume, covering South Mountain and Harper's Ferry, has been released so far. Having not read Pierro's edition, I don't know how they compare, but Clemens extensive notes evaluate (and sometimes correct) Carmen's analysis.
There's also http://antietam.aotw.org/, a great website with hundreds of original reports and documents, and one that I've noticed is listed as source material for some of the scenarios. Another favorite is http://www.antietam.stonesentinels.com/ ... rstown.php, which is the best online battlefield tour I have been able to find so far. And there is http://www.nps.gov/ancm/index.htm, the NPS website which has useful information as well.
With the exceptions of the Pierro, Murfin, Hoptak books, I own and enjoy all the books previously listed. Sears is a good overview and introduction to the Maryland Campaign and Frassanito gives you some personal looks into the battle. Gallagher's book is also good, but it is a series of essays and most of the topics don't deal with specific events or with secondary issues; for example, one looks at the effectiveness of William Nelson Pendleton, Lee's Chief of Artillery.