And Keep Moving On: The Virginia Campaign, May-June 1864

And Keep Moving On examines the Virginia Campaign of 1864, focusing on the military operations between the Army of the Potomac under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee. The campaign stretched from the Rapidan River to Petersburg over six weeks of combat and maneuver. The book analyzes the strategic decisions of both commanders while incorporating perspectives from soldiers, civilians, and political figures of the period. The military narrative is balanced with coverage of the campaign's effects on the home front and its influence on the 1864 presidential election. The text draws from primary sources including letters, diaries, and official records to reconstruct the day-to-day experiences of participants on both sides. Maps and illustrations help readers track the armies' movements through Virginia's challenging terrain. This military history connects tactical battlefield choices to broader questions about Civil War strategy and the relationship between military and political leadership. The work contributes to ongoing debates about Grant's generalship and the evolution of warfare in 1864.

Readers praise the book's clear campaign analysis and Grimsley's ability to weave political, social and military aspects together. Many note his focus on logistics and command decisions rather than just battle details. Positive comments highlight: - Strong coverage of the lesser-known North Anna operations - Analysis of Grant's overall strategy - Clear maps and battle diagrams - Accessible writing style for non-specialists Common criticisms: - Too brief treatment of major battles like Cold Harbor - Limited tactical details and firsthand accounts - Some readers wanted more on Confederate perspective Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) One reader called it "the perfect introduction to the Overland Campaign," while another noted it "sacrifices depth for brevity." Military history enthusiasts appreciated the strategic analysis but wanted more battlefield specifics.

The Battle of the Wilderness by Gordon C. Rhea A minute-by-minute examination of the first major clash between Grant and Lee in the 1864 Virginia Campaign reveals the tactical decisions and unit movements that shaped the battle's outcome.

Grant Takes Command by Bruce Catton This account focuses on Grant's strategic leadership from his promotion to general-in-chief through the end of the Civil War, with particular emphasis on the 1864 Virginia operations.

Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26-June 3, 1864 by Gordon C. Rhea The detailed analysis of the Cold Harbor campaign examines the culminating battle of Grant's Overland Campaign through primary sources and battlefield archaeology.

The Spotsylvania Campaign by Gary W. Gallagher Multiple historians contribute essays examining the military and political significance of the Spotsylvania Court House battles within the larger 1864 campaign.

Petersburg 1864-65: The Longest Siege by Ron Field The study tracks the transformation of the Overland Campaign into a prolonged siege operation, showing how the Virginia Campaign's battles led to the war's final phase.

🔹 The Virginia Campaign of 1864 marked the first time Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee faced each other in battle, resulting in some of the Civil War's bloodiest engagements including the Battle of the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. 🔹 Author Mark Grimsley received the Lincoln Prize for his previous Civil War book, "The Hard Hand of War," and teaches military history at Ohio State University. 🔹 The campaign's casualty numbers were staggering - the Union Army lost about 55,000 men in just 30 days, nearly equaling the total American casualties from the entire Vietnam War. 🔹 The book's title "And Keep Moving On" comes from Grant's famous message to General Meade after the Battle of the Wilderness, emphasizing his new strategy of continuous engagement with Lee's army rather than retreating after battles. 🔹 Despite covering complex military maneuvers, Grimsley purposefully wrote the book to be accessible to general readers while still maintaining scholarly rigor, including detailed maps and comprehensive notes for researchers.