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This month, our Five Things column features Michael Block, whose The Carnage Was Fearful: The Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, was released January 2022. Here, Michael tells of five facts he discovered while researching and writing this book.
Take it away Michael. . .
1. Cedar Mountain is one of the least written about battles of the Civil War. There has been only one other book that solely focused on the topic, Robert K. Krick’s Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain.
2. My deep interest in the battle began when I joined the Friends of Cedar Mountain Board of Directors in February 2012 -- just five months before the sesquicentennial of the battle. A steep learning curve indeed!
3. Federal MG Nathanial Banks, outnumbered nearly three to one, initiated the attack and nearly succeeded. The great what if from this battle is: What if he remained in his strong defensive position on wood covered ridges and small hills with over 1200 yards of rising farmland between the lines? Jackson was in no position to attack until nearly sunset. If he postponed attacking until the next day, four additional Federal divisions would be on the field and Stonewall would have no choice but withdrawal back across the Rapidan, allowing MG John Pope to retain the initiative.
4. Many believe the Battle of Cedar Mountain is the first battle in the Second Manassas Campaign. It is actually the last battle in the 1862 defense of Richmond!
5. With the publication of The Carnage Was Fearful, I am only 24 books behind my wife, paranormal romance author Caryn Moya Block.
Click here and buy your copy!
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