If It Takes All Summer

The first book-length examination of the pivotal Spotsylvania campaign of May 7-21, 1864. Drawing on extensive research in manuscript collections across the country and an exhaustive reading of the available literature, William Matter sets the strategic stage of the campaign before turning to a detailed description of tactical movements. He covers abundant fresh material on the race from the Wilderness to Spotsylvania, the role of Federal and Confederate cavalry, Emory Upton’s brilliantly conceived Union assault on May 10, and the bitter clash on May 19 at the Harris farm. Throughout the book, Matter assesses each side’s successes, failures, and lost opportunities and sketches portraits of the principal commanders. Hardcover; 455 pages.