DRANESVILLE: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861

1-243360

Details the story of Dranesville and the early war in Northern Virginia. Examines life after a Union victory, as no one knew what was coming, but soon civilians (sympathetic to both sides) were thrown into a spreading civil war of their own as neighbor turned on neighbor. Uses overlooked or underused sources to bring readers from the White House and Charleston's Secession Hall to midnight ambushes and the climactic Dranesville action. A host of characters and commanders that would become household names cut their teeth during these months, including Generals J. E. B. Stuart and Edward Ord. The men of the Pennsylvania Reserves saw their baptism of fire at Dranesville, setting the Keystone State soldiers on a path to becoming one of the best combat units of the entire war. Contains 8 maps and 32 images.