Richard B Irwin

History of the Nineteenth Army Corps Richard B Irwin

Richard Biddle Irwin tells the history of the famous XIX Corps, a unit in the Union Army famed for its successes and daring during the American Civil War. This edition includes the original battlefield maps.

A series of daring victories swiftly established the special reputation of the Nineteenth. At the height of their prowess, the company demonstrated great martial skill during the Siege of Port Hudson and in Shenandoah Valley. Notably, the Nineteenth had a large contingent of black soldiers; many performed with particular bravery and finesse in combat, and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks - to whom the unit was first attached - gave due praise.

After they were raised in New Orleans, the Nineteenth Corps were set to skirmish in the rough, boggy terrain of rural Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Harsher than the northerly lands, it was here that they cut their teeth, polished their skills and gained a certain edge over their counterparts stationed in easier climes. After a few months they were set to besiege Port Hudson; a lengthy process that helped hone the troop's patience, appreciation for sound strategy and capacity for valiance.

After the eventual surrender of the Port, the Nineteenth was enrolled in the Union initiative known as the Red River Campaign. Though a failure owing to poor strategy and conflict between those in high command, the Nineteenth fought bravely. Losing many of their number but inflicting casualties the Confederates could ill afford, the Nineteenth eventually retreated and were stationed in Savannah, Georgia.

Perhaps the most famous association the XIX Corps has today is with General Sheridan at the Third Battle of Winchester. A fierce conflict that took many lives, officers and troopers alike suffered badly. However, historians including Irwin view this as a crucial turning point - the Nineteenth's valiance in the face of such carnage was distinctive.

Irwin's accounts are thorough and meticulous, yet he never loses sight of the dramatic and exciting nature of the subject. He takes us through the journey of the Nineteenth from a raw, inexperienced unit into a force of fierce, disciplined and tactically adept veterans. This edition contains his original battlefield maps and charts.