About the book
The struggle over the fortified Confederate position known as Spotsylvania’s Mule Shoe was without parallel during the Civil War. A Union assault that began at 4:30 A.M. on May 12, 1864, sparked brutal combat that lasted nearly twenty-four hours. By the time Grant’s forces withdrew, some 55,000 men from Union and Confederate armies had been drawn into the fury, battling in torrential rain along the fieldworks at distances often less than the length of a rifle barrel. One Union private recalled the fighting as a “seething, bubbling, soaring hell of hate and murder.” By the time Lee’s troops established a new fortified line in the predawn hours of May 13, some 17,500 officers and men from both sides had been killed, wounded, or captured when the fighting ceased. The site of the most intense clashes became forever known as the Bloody Angle.
Here, renowned military historian Jeffry D. Wert draws on the personal narratives of Union and Confederate troops who survived the fight to offer a gripping story of Civil War combat at its most difficult. Wert’s harrowing tale reminds us that the war’s story, often told through its commanders and campaigns, truly belonged to the common soldier.
Editions of The Heart of Hell
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469668420
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469668444
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890862914
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469668437
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890862907
Read an Excerpt
The struggle over the fortified Confederate position known as Spotsylvania’s Mule Shoe was without parallel during the Civil War. A Union assault that began at 4:30 A.M. on May 12, 1864, sparked brutal combat that lasted nearly twenty-four hours. By the time Grant’s forces withdrew, some 55,000 men from Union and Confederate armies had been drawn into the fury, battling in torrential rain along the fieldworks at distances often less than the length of a rifle barrel. One Union private recalled the fighting as a “seething, bubbling, soaring hell of hate and murder.” By the time Lee’s troops established a new fortified line in the predawn hours of May 13, some 17,500 officers and men from both sides had been killed, wounded, or captured when the fighting ceased. The site of the most intense clashes became forever known as the Bloody Angle.
Here, renowned military historian Jeffry D. Wert draws on the personal narratives of Union and Confederate troops who survived the fight to offer a gripping story of Civil War combat at its most difficult. Wert’s harrowing tale reminds us that the war’s story, often told through its commanders and campaigns, truly belonged to the common soldier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Heart of Hell about?
The struggle over the fortified Confederate position known as Spotsylvania’s Mule Shoe was without parallel during the Civil War. A Union assault that began at 4:30 A.M. on May 12, 1864, sparked brutal combat that lasted nearly twenty-four hours. By the time Grant’s forces withdrew, some 55,000 men from Union and Confederate armies had been drawn into the fury, battling in torrential rain along the fieldworks at distances often less than the length of a rifle barrel. One Union private recalled the fighting as a “seething, bubbling, soaring hell of hate and murder.” By the time Lee’s troops established a new fortified line in the predawn hours of May 13, some 17,500 officers and men from both sides had been killed, wounded, or captured when the fighting ceased. The site of the most intense clashes became forever known as the Bloody Angle.
Here, renowned military historian Jeffry D. Wert draws on the personal narratives of Union and Confederate troops who survived the fight to offer a gripping story of Civil War combat at its most difficult. Wert’s harrowing tale reminds us that the war’s story, often told through its commanders and campaigns, truly belonged to the common soldier.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Heart of Hell?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Heart of Hell?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469668420
How long is The Heart of Hell and how many pages does it have?
The Heart of Hell has 320 page(s)
Is The Heart of Hell part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Civil War America
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Heart of Hell?
Jeffry D. Wert
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Heart of Hell is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469668420) and ebook(ISBN 9781469668444) and ebook(ISBN 9798890862914) and ebook(ISBN 9781469668437) and pdf(ISBN 9798890862907)
Where can I buy The Heart of Hell online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Heart of Hell from below
Where can I buy The Heart of Hell?