Spotlight on the Emerging Civil War Series

Originally published August 2022 · pp. 6–7

Editor’s Note: Civil War News is pleased to begin a new monthly series highlighting books in the Emerging Civil War Series (ECWS) published by Savas Beatie, LLC. The mission of the series is to offer compelling and easy-to-read overviews of some of the Civil War’s most important battles and issues. Each volume features more than a hundredand-fifty photos and graphics, plus sharp new maps, visually engaging layouts, and thoughtprovoking appendices. To date, forty-three books have been published in the series. The Army Historical Foundation honored the Emerging Civil War Series with its Lieutenant General Richard G. Trefry Award for contributions to the literature on the history of the U.S. Army, calling it “an invaluable collection of Civil War battlefield guides.” The series has also served as a fertile starting point for a lot of “emerging voices” in the field, something important to us here at Civil War News.

Richmond Shall Not Be Given Up: The Seven Days’ Battles, June 25-July 1, 1863

by Doug Crenshaw Beatie, 2017)

(Savas

About the Book: In the spring of 1862, the largest army ever assembled on the North American continent landed in Virginia, on the peninsula between the James and York Rivers, and proceeded to march toward Richmond. Between that army and the capital of the Confederate States of America, an outnumbered Confederate force did all in its feeble power to resist, but all it could do was slow, not stop, the juggernaut. To Southerners, the war, not yet a year old, looked lost. The Confederate government prepared to evacuate the city. The citizenry prepared for the worst. And then the war turned. During battle at a place called Seven Pines, an artillery shell wounded Confederate commander Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. His replacement, Gen. Robert E. Lee, stabilized the army, fended off the Federals, and then fortified the capital. “Richmond must not be given up!” he vowed, tears in his eyes. “It shall not be given up!” Federal commander Maj.

Gen. George B. McClellan, confident of success, found himself unexpectedly hammered by a newly aggressive, newly emboldened foe. For seven days, Lee planned ambitious attacks and launched them, one after another, hoping not just to drive Federals from the gates of Richmond but to obliterate them entirely. In Richmond Shall Not Be Given Up, historian Doug Crenshaw follows a battle so desperate that, ever-after, soldiers would remember that week simply as The Seven Days. McClellan reeled. The tide of war turned. The Army of Northern Virginia was born.

About the Author: Doug Crenshaw is a volunteer historic interpreter for the Richmond National Battlefield Park. A member of the Richmond Civil War Roundtable, he is a speaker, presenter, tour leader, and the author of books on Glendale and Fort Harrison. Doug is a descendant of the Sydnor family, which lived at Beaver Dam Creek during that battle, and the Binford family, which lived behind the Malvern Hill battlefield

Behind-the-Scenes, by Doug Crenshaw

It’s a story familiar to many of us. An uncle took me to a battlefield when I was six, and I was hooked—only it wasn’t Gettysburg! It was Cold Harbor and the fields of the Seven Days battles. Every year for Christmas he sent me a book from the “General” to the “Colonel,” my favorite gift every year! Sadly, he passed away when I was 13, and I moved on to typical teenage interests. It was only later, when I moved to Virginia, that the fever hit me again. I began reading intensely, and when I discovered that my family had owned land at Beaver Dam Creek and Malvern Hill during the battles, I was completely sold. In 2009, I began volunteering with the Richmond National Battlefield Park, and loved the process of helping people understand the events and places of Richmond during the Civil War. For some reason, the urge to write a book hit me, and Ashley Luskey, then an NPS ranger, said I should attack Fort Harrison. Digging into the research was so interesting and fun! That was followed by a book on the battle of Glendale. Shortly thereafter, Bert Dunkerly suggested that I check out Emerging Civil War, so I attended a Symposium and was knocked out. The speakers were really good, everyone was friendly, and I bought some books, which were excellent. I wanted to be part of that! After writing some articles for the blog, I approached Chris Mackowski, and he was very encouraging and accepted my offer to write a book on the Seven Days. The ECW process was quite different than what I was used to. Over 150 images were needed and lots of maps, but I loved it. This was the perfect vehicle for what I wanted to do: help people understand the campaign in a brief format and include a driving tour. Writing a book means research, and research leads to questions. Why was Stonewall Jackson really late at Mechanicsville? Why did A. P. Hill attack there without support? Was he really as rash as his reputation leads us to believe? Why did he attack at Gaines’s Mill without support? How could McClellan have possibly escaped? How did Malvern Hill get so fouled up? One question always seemed to lead to another, deeper one. Absolutely fascinating. I discovered that I really liked the writing process, and Chris M., Chris Kolakowski and Bert Dunkerly were great guides. Chris M. even drove down and helped take pictures and explained how to make them more interesting. Kris White showed up the same day. They were so generous with their time! If you have never experienced the editing process, it can be a bit humbling. You think you have done your best work, but suggestions come in, and you grow as a historian and as a writer. I have found that people in the field generally are very helpful and want you to succeed, and it’s encouraging! A lot of work goes on in areas most readers don’t think about: re-writing, proofing, and so on. When you are new and turn in your first manuscript, you think you are finished. You’re not. There is much left to do, but the end result is so worth it! The book was well-received, and a lot of public talks followed. Comments and reviews were very motivating. Of course, this leads to the urge to write again, but that’s a story for another blog…. What got you first interested in the Seven Days? I grew up in New Jersey, but my family visited Richmond when I was six. My uncle took me to the Seven Days’ fields and showed me where ancestors had lived at Beaver Dam Creek and Malvern Hill during the battles. The stories he told thrilled me. Every year he sent me a Civil War book for Christmas. I was hooked. What inspired you to translate your interest in the Seven Days into a book? I am a volunteer for the Park Service, and there was a need for a small book, loaded with maps and pictures, that would help visitors tour the fields. Also, a lot of people don’t want to read a large book on the subject. When I learned about Emerging Civil War, it seemed like a perfect fit. Chris Mackowski and Bert Dunkerly were extremely helpful and supportive. Were there particular misconceptions about the Seven Days you were hoping to clarify?

CivilWarNews.com Not at the time. I was trying to create a book that would help people understand the campaign. Of course, I came across some misconceptions during the process! I am currently working on a book that discusses the Confederate high command during the campaign. There are a number of misconceptions that I am hoping to clarify. As you did your research, did you come across any new discoveries? Was there anything that surprised you? There were many. For one, I had never fully realized how much Lee accomplished in the short span of a month. I also didn’t realize how inexperienced all of the commanders were in handling such large bodies of troops. This was a new kind of war, and their inexperience had a great effect on the lives of their men and the results of the campaign. What was the most challenging part about writing the book? Why? The writing process itself was challenging…. trying to find the right words to draw the readers in. Trying to get this massive story across to the readers within the limits of a small book. People like Chris, Bert and Bobby Krick of the NPS were great guides! Who is someone in the book you came to better understand or appreciate? Why? All of the characters were of great interest, but the ones I learned the most about were A. P. Hill, Jackson, and Lee. Hill is often categorized as impetuous and more than a bit rash. I’m not so sure. Jackson performed poorly, but was it all his fault? I don’t think so, and it’s not entirely due to being exhausted. The most interesting of all was Lee. Faced with an almost impossible situation, he succeeded in driving the enemy from the very gates of Richmond, but his success was not all that it might have been. His inexperience was key, but it’s amazing how quickly he learned!

Is there some part of the battlefield—or some other related historical place—that your book helped you better appreciate or understand? Why? Glendale (or Frayser’s Farm, as I prefer to call it). The battlefield has only recently been saved and is not currently accessible to visitors. Rangers Randy Cleaver and Bert Dunkerly took me on separate visits, and then I spent a lot of time there on my own. It is said that you can’t understand a battlefield unless you walk the ground, and nowhere have I found this to be more accurate than at Frayser’s Farm. Hopefully NPS will open some trails there in the not-to-distant future. What did you learn about the writing process by writing this book? It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Writing the book is only part of the story. There are hours and hours and hours of research—yu keep digging. You re-write and re-write. Then you ask others to review it and comment. It’s later edited. Writing is a long, challenging process, but I found it to be very enjoyable and worthwhile. You also meet some great people along the way! What sort of feedback have you gotten on the book since it came out? Is there something people particularly enjoy or are surprised by? The feedback has been positive, and I have frequently been asked to speak about the campaign and give tours. People particularly like the maps, the driving directions, and the precise tour guide. Others like that the story has been told in an understandable and succinct manner.

Have you had to make revisions since the first draft? If so, what have you had to update? I have not done any revisions at this time. There are a few I might make on the tour, as more land has become preserved and accessible. A few more maps might be added, but overall, I am happy with the book. Since the publication of the book, where has your writing career taken you? I have written a book with Drew Gruber on the Peninsula Campaign that preceded the Seven Days, a book dealing entirely with the Glendale battle, and one on the Battles of Chaffin’s Farm in 1864, particularly the events at Fort Harrison. Bert Dunkerly and I created a tour guide of

Civil War sites in Richmond. I am working on the study already mentioned on the Confederate high command during the Seven Days, and have a few other projects lined up to follow. What advice would you give to young writers who are thinking about writing their first book? First, go for it. Take time to study good writing. If it draws you in, why does it? Look for experienced writers who can help you on your way. If you are interested in the Civil War, consider writing articles for blogs like Emerging Civil War, which is always eager to feature the work of new writers. The key is to get more and more experience writing. Seek helpful criticism, and enjoy the ride!