The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, from the Gettysburg Retreat Through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864

The second installment of Al Ovies The Boy Generals trilogy, George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, covers a period of tumultuous events for the cavalry, including a significant change of command and near-destruction at Buckland Mills and Bristoe Station. The cavalry's victory at Yellow Tavern was followed by a bitter rivalry between Custer and Merritt, which worsened as the war darkened and the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg ground on. Sheridan's edict to "eat out Virginia clear and clean" fell on the shoulders of the boy generals, including Custer and Merritt.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2023
Publisher: Savas Beatie

The second installment of Al Ovies The Boy Generals trilogy,George Custer,Wesley Merritt and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac,from the Gettysburg Retreat through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864,encompasses a period jammed with tumultuous events for the cavalry on and off the battlefield and a significant change of command at the top. Once below the Potomac River,the Union troopers raced down the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains but were unable to prevent General Lees wounded Army of Northern Virginia from reaching Culpeper. The balance of the 1863 was a series of maneuvers,raids,and fighting that witnessed the near-destruction of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade at Buckland Mills and the indecisive and frustrating efforts of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run campaigns. Alfred Pleasontons controversial command of the mounted arm ended abruptly,only to be replaced by the more controversial Philip H. Sheridan,whose combustible personality intensified the animosity burning between George Custer and Wesley Merritt. Victory and glory followed the Cavalry Corps during the early days of Overland campaign,particularly at Yellow Tavern,where Rebel cavalier Jeb Stuart was mortally wounded. The “spirited rivalry” between Custer and Merritt,in turn,took a turn for the worse. At Trevilian Station,the bitterness and rancor permeating their relationship broke into the open to include harsh official reports critical of the others actions. Merritts elevation to temporary command of the 1st Cavalry Division cemented their rancor. Just as their relationship worsened,so too did the tenor of the war darken as the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg ground on,and Confederate partisan Col. John S. Mosby intensified guerrilla operations that disrupted Union logistics.

The Boy Generals Trilogy: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac

The second installment of Al Ovies The Boy Generals trilogy delves into the tumultuous period of the cavalry during the American Civil War. George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac are the central characters of this trilogy, which spans from the Gettysburg Retreat to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864.

As the Union troops crossed the Potomac River, they raced down the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, aiming to prevent General Lees wounded Army of Northern Virginia from reaching Culpeper. However, their efforts proved futile, and General Lees army managed to reach Culpeper.

The remainder of 1863 was marked by a series of maneuvers, raids, and fighting that witnessed the near-destruction of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade at Buckland Mills and the indecisive and frustrating efforts of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run campaigns. Alfred Pleasontons controversial command of the mounted arm ended abruptly, only to be replaced by the more controversial Philip H. Sheridan. Sheridan's combustible personality intensified the animosity burning between George Custer and Wesley Merritt.

The Cavalry Corps achieved victory and glory during the early days of the Overland campaign, particularly at Yellow Tavern, where Rebel cavalier Jeb Stuart was mortally wounded. The spirited rivalry between Custer and Merritt took a turn for the worse. At Trevilian Station, the bitterness and rancor permeating their relationship broke into the open, leading to harsh official reports critical of the others' actions. Merritt's elevation to temporary command of the 1st Cavalry Division cemented their rancor.

As the war progressed, the tenor of the conflict darkened, with the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg grinding on and Confederate partisan Col. John S. Mosby intensifying guerrilla operations that disrupted Union logistics. The relationship between Custer and Merritt worsened, and their mutual animosity intensified.

The Boy Generals trilogy provides a detailed and captivating account of the cavalry's experiences during the Civil War, highlighting their triumphs, rivalries, and the challenges they faced on and off the battlefield. It sheds light on the complex dynamics between the generals and their troops, and the impact of their actions on the course of the war.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781611216172