Crucial Land Battles Civil War Chronicles

This is a study in key battles that had great political effect rather than traditional military defeats and victories.  For example, the one day battle by militia and hastily assembled forces delayed Jubal Early at Monocacy when Early was moving to capture Washington in the 1864 election year.  Union commander Lew Wallace delayed Early’s regiments while Union forces from the Petersburg campaign reinforced the Union garrison.  If Early captured Washington and even if he was unable to hold it, Lincoln probably would have been defeated in the election by George McClellan, a peace candidate.

The other battles were selected for similar reasons.