Decided on the Battlefield: Grant, Sherman, Lincoln and the Election of 1864

As if it weren%E2%80%99t hard enough to win the Civil War, Generals Grant and Sherman labored under the knowledge that if they failed, Lincoln would lose his bid for a second term as President%E2%80%94he knew the weary citizens of the North despaired of victory after several defeats and Jubal Early%E2%80%99s demoralizing attack on Washington. In the political arena, he struggled against The Radical Republicans who threatened to split the party, as well as the leading Democratic candidate, failed head of the Army of the Potomac, George McClellan%E2%80%94the %E2%80%9CVirginia Creeper.%E2%80%9D The Confederacy recognized that it couldn%E2%80%99t beat the Union, but if they could outlast them until a new president was elected in 1864, victory would be theirs. At the same time, Grant knew that his advantage in terms of manpower and resources would ensure success%E2%80%94if his troops could hold out long enough. In the summer of 1864, two rays of hope shone on the Union Army: Rear Admiral David Farragut took Mobile Bay, the last major port on the Gulf Coast, and General Philip Sheridan%E2%80%94following orders from Grant to %E2%80%9Cmake all the Valley south of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad a desert%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94drove Early out of the Shenandoah Valley, and destroyed the Confederacy%E2%80%99s breadbasket. By September, Lincoln%E2%80%99s victory had been %E2%80%9Cdecided on the battlefield.%E2%80%9D In a fascinating epilogue, Johnson illustrates the dire implications of a McClellan win. Historians will appreciate this excellently researched book for its level of insight, while casual readers will enjoy Johnson%E2%80%99s deft narrative management of battles and strategy. Photos. (Jan.)