"The Maps of the Wilderness: An Atlas of the ..." Topic

…Wilderness Campaign, May 2-7, 1864.

"The Maps of the Wilderness: An Atlas of the Wilderness Campaign, May 2-7, 1864 continues Bradley M. Gottfried's efforts to study and illustrate the major campaigns of the Civil War's Eastern Theater. This is his fifth book in the ongoing Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series. The previous four were The Maps of Gettysburg (2007), The Maps of First Bull Run (2009), The Maps of Antietam (2012), and The Maps of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run Campaigns (2013).

This latest magisterial work breaks down the entire campaign (and all related operational maneuvers) into 24 map sets or "action-sections" enriched with 120 original full-page color maps. These spectacular cartographic creations bore down to the regimental and battery level. The Maps of the Wilderness includes an assessment of the winter of 1863-1864, the planning for the campaign, the crossing of the Rapidan River, and two days of bloody combat and the day of watchful stalemate thereafter.

At least one¯and as many as eight¯maps accompany each "action-section." Opposite each map is a full facing page of detailed footnoted text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of the first large-scale combat of 1864 come alive. Each cartographic snapshot also serves to unlock everything ever written on the subject. This detailed coverage also includes an order of battle, interview with the author, bibliography, and an index."

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Amicalement
Armand

Based on the map on the cover, every regiment in both armies
had the same"footprint." Were they all the same strength?

No, as in pretty much every book that uses this kind of presentation its representative of the units position only. Doing things to exact scale would be a nightmare. Not to mention tracking the often dramatic reduction in size of indvidual regiments during battles that stretched over more than one day.

Even the postions themselves are at best an accurate estimate. Particuarly true of this book in the excellent series as, given the terrain, even those on the ground didn't know their true location from time to time.

That said, its a really good explanation of perhaps the most confused and bloody action of the war and I hope they produce subsequent publications to take events up to the seige of Petersburg.

I've read his Maps of Gettysburg and own a copy of the companion (but by different authors) Maps of Chickamauga. Both of them are excellent books in assisting readers in understanding the sometimes confusing actions during these various battles. I would recommend those interested in these various battles obtain a copy of the book(s).

Jim

Thanks for the heads up. Like ColCampbell, I have the two other books and enjoy them.

Thanks for the info! I was unaware of this series. They look to be VERY useful.

I have Gettysburg, Antietam, and Chickamauga. All great books.

All excellent publications. The Antietam book is excellent for illustrating the battles detail, as is The Wilderness one.