Failure in the Saddle

Failure in the Saddle examines the Confederate cavalry's performance during the Chickamauga Campaign through a focused analysis of its two primary commanders: Nathan Bedford Forrest and Joseph Wheeler. The book utilizes extensive primary source material, including previously unpublished accounts, to reconstruct the strategic decisions and battlefield actions of these cavalry leaders. The text presents a critical assessment of how Confederate mounted forces were employed during this crucial campaign of the American Civil War. Powell's research draws from battlefield reports, personal correspondence, and official military documents to establish a clear timeline of events and command decisions. The book includes detailed maps, photographs, and appendices that support the main narrative with supplementary information about troop movements and battlefield geography. These additional materials help readers understand the complex military maneuvers and terrain challenges that influenced the campaign's outcome. Through its examination of leadership and military strategy, the book contributes to broader discussions about battlefield command decisions and their impact on major Civil War campaigns. The work raises questions about the relationship between individual leadership and military outcomes.

Readers describe this as a focused examination of Confederate cavalry operations during the Chickamauga Campaign. The book presents evidence and analysis about leadership failures of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Joe Wheeler. Readers appreciated: - Detailed maps and clear tactical explanations - New perspectives on familiar historical events - Thorough research using primary sources - Balanced treatment of controversial figures Common criticisms: - Dense military terminology can be challenging for casual readers - Some repetition of points - Limited scope focuses only on cavalry operations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (18 ratings) One reviewer noted: "Powell makes a compelling case for how cavalry failures directly impacted the outcome of Chickamauga." Another mentioned: "The maps alone are worth the price." Some readers felt the book would benefit from more background context for those unfamiliar with the campaign's basics.

Brigades of Gettysburg by Bradley M. Gottfried Analysis of unit-level command decisions at Gettysburg presents similar insights into battlefield leadership as Powell's examination of cavalry commanders.

Confederate Cavalry in the Western Theater by Stephen Davis Expansion of themes found in Failure in the Saddle through examination of mounted operations across multiple western campaigns.

General James Longstreet: The Confederacy's Most Controversial Soldier by Jeffry D. Wert Exploration of command relationships and strategic decisions through the lens of a single Confederate leader mirrors Powell's focused leadership study.

The Army of Tennessee by Stanley F. Horn Comprehensive study of the Confederate western army provides context for the cavalry operations discussed in Failure in the Saddle.

Grant's Secret Service by William B. Feis Investigation of Union intelligence operations presents the strategic importance of cavalry operations from the Federal perspective.

★ General Nathan Bedford Forrest and General Joe Wheeler's strained relationship during the Chickamauga Campaign was so severe that they refused to cooperate effectively, significantly impacting Confederate cavalry performance ★ The Chickamauga Campaign saw one of the largest concentrations of cavalry forces in the Western Theater, with over 14,000 horsemen participating between both sides ★ Author David A. Powell spent more than a decade researching the Chickamauga Campaign, visiting the battlefield over 50 times and consulting thousands of primary source documents ★ The book reveals that Confederate cavalry's failure to effectively screen their army's movements allowed Union General William Rosecrans to gather crucial intelligence about Confederate positions ★ Despite being one of the few clear Confederate victories in the Western Theater, the cavalry's poor performance at Chickamauga contributed to the South's inability to fully capitalize on their success