The Last Full Measure
by Jeff Shaara

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Book Review: Last measure would allow the rule of law to pervail.
Summary: 5 Stars

Eventually, Union master mind General Grant would implore an tactic of strangulation in the end the conflict. Fustrated by Lee's cleveriness a warfare tactic that would cut off the supply lines where needed. Lee used the railroad to move supplies. Lee wanted Johnston to flee Sherman and try to draw Grant's attention to Washington, but he didn't have the strength to succeed. Slowly the attritioned tightened around the weary General Lee leading to a chase and surrender at Appomattox.

General Lee on the other hand, followed advice from his revolutionary hero father of withdrawal deep into the interior with the intent of the withdrawal too deny the union their supply line resource. The confederate army was smaller, quicker, and more mobile than the union army.

It was Chamberlain the hero at five forks who said, "God would demand the last full measure of the men" to crush the rebellion. Chamberlain would join with Crawford and Griffin on the right flank of Pickett while Sheridan would hold the left flank; the causualities were enormous.

In order to increase Northern support of the campaign, Lincoln won a second election. Lincoln realized two critical factors were necessary to win the war 1. Improved technology, the big guns, and the seven shoot carbine 2. Political non-interference in the military campaigns.

President Davis of the Confederates drew political controversy and came under media attack. Isolated in Richmond more decision making power was transferred to General Lee. After surrender Davis was not hung for treason but managed to survived in Europe before returning to America to write out his memiors. Lincoln did not want to make Davis a Martyr.

White haired General Lee remained determined to continue the fight after Gettysburg. Suffering heart problems, cramps, and exhaustion, he managed to inflict heavy causualities on a force significantly more numereous. General Lee was considered a gentle man and he was a West Point engineer, fought in the Mexican war, and loved the state of Virginia. Ironically, Lee was offerred the opportunity to lead the Union army to fight the succeding states, at the time Virgina was not one of those. Lee declined knowing that Virgina would eventually join. Lee encouraged his officers and men to fight for God. General Lee was loved by his men. Once a soldier said, seeing General Lee was like seeing Christ, General Lee quickly told the man not to profane for their cause was so worthy. General Grant learned not to under estimate Lee ability to survive as time after time General Lee's tactics caught Grant by surprise. In 1863 Lee won victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, both in Virginia, and in 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia.

Grant would be selected by Abraham Lincoln to become Major General uniting all the Union under one commander. Lincoln said, "I have a great love of the constitution. It is the thing I live for, it is the reason I sit in this chair... If we allow this rebellion to succeed-if we do not hold those ideas together for our children-then we sink back to the dark ages. We might as well send the Queen of England an apology for all the trouble we caused, ask if they will take us back". Grant took the word seriously and faithfully carried out the responsiblity to crush the rebellion. Lincoln promised Grant he would not tell him how to run the army and he would deal with the political unrest in Washington.

The test of will between Grant and Lee would start in the Wilderness. Segwick, Warren, Burnside, Hancock would face off against Ewell, Pogue, Hill, and eventual Longstreet which would hit Hancock hard from the left flank. Hancock would be could in a V formation. 1864, Gordon Flank around Sedgwick near captured Grant. The rebels were putting up a good fight. General Lee knew he must protect Richmond from Grant. Davis was putting more pressure to withdraw to Richmond, but Lee knew the city offered no resource for the army to use. During the race to Spotsylvania Anderson and Stuart would arrive. Lee knew the fight would eventual end up at Petersburg. At the battle of Anna river Lee missed his opportunity to strike and isolate Hancock because Ewell was to causious as the Northern Anna River separate his union reinforcment from Burnside. Lee fumed over Ewell lack of initiative. Grant crosses the James River on route to Petersburg, Lee fails to destroy critical bridges. Gordon attempts an covert operation to get behind enemy lines at night but fails to have enough ammunition. Lee retreats to Amelia Court, the war is almost over. Lee's army was facing starvation and the officiers did have the fire within to continue resisting. The confederate army gets a supply of ammunition but not rations. The rations have been diverted to farmville. Grant is at farmville. The confederate army is starving. Grant request Lee consider surrendering, Lee is only in terms and the fight continues until they must surrender at appomattox. At Appomattox, Chamberlain saves Sheridan from collapsing before a rebel advance. Chamberlain realizes the confederate army is beaten, receive a surrender request from a confederate officer, and notifys Grant. Lincoln assasination would not give him to champion the healing of a nation. Last measure would allow the rule of law to pervail.

Summary of The Last Full Measure

Action & Adventure Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Action & Adventure
• Historical
• War