Interview with Earl J. Hess, Author of In The Trenches at Petersburg

I have been a fan of Earl Hess’ books since reading “Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign of the West,” co-written with William L. Shea, and released in 1997.  I read his other books on field fortifications, “Field Armies and Fortifications,” and “Trench Warfare Under Grant and Lee,” both of which are near the top of my favorite Civil War titles.  When I learned of Hess’ third book on field fortifications, “In the Trenches of Petersburg: Field Fortifications and Confederate Defeat,” I immediately reached out to Earl and asked for a review copy.  The University of North Carolina Press sent me the book in March.  It waited in my review queue, for some time, as it was not scheduled to be released until July 2009.  I started reading the book in early May, and finished it in several days – which has been the norm for me with all of Hess’ works.  Like his other books, “In the Trenches of Petersburg” is wonderfully written, well researched and easy to read.  With only a handful of Petersburg titles, in recent years, I was very excited to read this book.  I will say, it was worth the wait.

Very early in the book, Hess made an assertion that struck me.  In essence, Hess makes a strong case that the actions around Petersburg were not a traditional siege, but a series of nine offensive actions with some siege components.  With that theory well supported, Hess provides a tremendous amount of detail on the elaborate field fortifications that were built east, and south, of Petersburg, and north of the James River, facing Richmond.  These fortifications represent the most elaborate field works of any Civil War battlefield.  Not only does the author provide these elaborate details, he also provides extensive information on the construction of the fortifications, and what it was like for the soldiers living in the trenches.

Here are details of what you will find in the book.

• Chapters One and Two detail the formation of the engineering departments of the opposing armies, and how fortifications grew in importance throughout the Civil War – specifically with the start of US Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign of 1864.
• Chapter Three details the initial three days of fighting, in June 1864, that started with Grant’s armies crossing the James River.  With only a small garrison, commanded by CSA General P.G.T. Beauregard, defending Petersburg, US Major Generals William F. “Baldy” Smith and Winfield S. Hancock had an opportunity to crush the garrison and capture Petersburg.  Unfortunately, due to uncoordinated assaults, this offensive is considered one of the biggest debacles Grant made during the Civil War.  Most scholars and historians believe that a successful assault would have cut CSA General Robert E. Lee’s vital supply lines, to the south, and ended the war months earlier.
• Chapter Four focuses on the “second offensive,” west of the Jerusalem Plank Road.  Hess does a fine job describing Lee’s responses to attacks on his right flank.  Additionally Hess discusses the preparations for the mine, that ultimately culminated in the Battle of the Crater.
• Chapters Five and Six provide details on the construction of field fortifications and life in the trenches for soldiers on both sides.  These chapters include many firsthand accounts from soldiers.  Hess’ use of new source material is very evident in these chapters, and other areas of the book.
• Chapter Seven details the “third offensive” on Lee’s left flank, north of the James River.  In this offensive Federal forces attacked at First Deep Bottom, attempting to push their way through the Confederate fortifications around Richmond.  Unsuccessful, they made a modest effort to erect fortifications to hold the ground they had gained.  Hess also provides a great analysis of the preparations for the final part of the “third offensive,” the Battle of the Crater, in this chapter.
• Chapter Eight focuses solely on the Battle of the Crater.  Hess provides wonderful detail about the attack, with many firsthand accounts that make it feel like you are watching the battle from both sides of the line.
• Chapter Nine is entitled “August.”  August 1864, like most other summer months in Virginia, was very hot.  The author details what it was like to live in the filth of the trenches, the diseases the soldiers suffered from and the many counter-mining operations that were occurring on both sides.
• Chapter Ten covers the “fourth offensive.”  Comprised of the battle of Second Deep Bottom, on the Union right, and the battles of Globe Tavern and Second Ream’s Station, on the Union left, it was a bitter disappointment for U.S. Grant.  The battle of Second Deep Bottom further confirmed that it would be very difficult to trick Robert E. Lee into fatally weakening one flank in order to support the other.  Globe Tavern, while very successful for US Major General Gouverneur K. Warren, was in itself insufficient to fulfill Grant’s goals of extending his left flank and securing the Weldon Railroad.  With Warren’s V Corps firmly entrenched at Globe Tavern, US Major General Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps was soundly defeated, further south, at Ream’s Station.  While Warren still had a foothold on the Weldon Railroad, Grant’s objectives were not satisfied.
• Chapter Eleven is named, “September.”  Like its predecessor chapter, “August,” the chapter is self explanatory.  Hess provides significant detail about the construction of Federal and Confederate fortifications, mining activities and life in the trenches.  Again, the author provides vivid descriptions of the construction of trenches and the daily life of the soldiers.
• Chapter Twelve covers the “fifth offensive” which included attacks on both of Lee’s flanks.  During this offensive, Meade’s Army of the Potomac was able to lengthen its lines and build new forts on the southern flank.  Additionally, gains were made to strengthen Federal defenses north of the James River.
• Chapter Thirteen deals with fortifications and the “sixth offensive,” the battle of Burgess’s Mill and activities of US Major General Benjamin F. Butler, north of the James River.
• Chapters Fourteen and Fifteen cover the late fall and winter months.  Again, Hess provides a great amount of detail into the soldiers’ activities in the trenches.
• Chapter Sixteen includes the actions of the “seventh offensive.”  Included in this chapter are details of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run – a strategically important action for Federal fortunes, allowing the lengthening of the Federal lines southwest of Petersburg.
• Chapter Eighteen is about the “eighth offensive,” starting with the Confederate’s desperate attack on Fort Stedman and the Federal army’s recapture of this important section of line.  If the Confederates had been successful, they had planned to move into City Point, Grant’s headquarters.  Hess further details Grant’s offensive operations culminating in the battles of Dinwiddie Court House and the disastrous Confederate defeat at Five Forks.
• Chapter Nineteen details the “ninth offensive,” the successful penetration of the Confederate lines and investment of Petersburg, and Richmond.
• Chapter Twenty is a fabulous conclusion to the offensive actions of Petersburg.  In this chapter, Hess bolsters his assessment that the actions around Petersburg were not a traditional siege.  Additionally he provides a detailed analysis of the necessity of trench warfare, starting with the Overland Campaign and culminating with the actions at Petersburg.  His conclusion, that the fortifications were necessary due to Grant’s tactical operations of “constant contact” is brilliant and will surely make many Civil War buffs, and scholars, reevaluate their old theories.

I highly recommend this book for any serious student of the American Civil War.  It is entertaining and enlightening. 

Details about “In the Trenches of Petersburg”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: June 22, 2009
ISBN-10: 0807832820

I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Hess on June 22, 2009.  The interview, like my previous interviews, is broke into several parts.  You can read the contents of each part, and listen to the interview below.

Earl J. Hess Interview – 11 Parts*
Total Time: 1 hour, 11 minutes, 52 seconds
*Please note that there were some technical difficulties with this audio interview.  Some of Earl Hess’ audio is not as loud as others.  You may need to adjust the volume to suit your needs.

Part 1:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 1
Time: 8:03
Contents: Welcome | When did Earl become interested in field fortifications? | What sparked your interest in the Civil War | Why no full length analysis of Peterburg’s fortifications? | Seamless integration of technical study on fortifications and how they impacted the soldiers

Part 2:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 2
Time: 6:30
Contents: Difficulties of researching “In the Trenches of Petersburg” | Discussion on the maps in the book | Petersburg not a siege but a series of offensive operations

Part 3:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 3
Time: 7:15
Contents: Why did Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia abandoned much of the Dimmock Line? | The use of the Hagood Line | Hess’ assessment of the Federal prospects on June 15–16, 1864 | CSA General P.G.T. Beauregard’s actions often overlooked

Part 4:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 4
Time: 8:27
Contents: Federal mining operations | Confederate counter-mining operations | Burnside’s choice of division commanders for the Battle of the Crater | Ledlie’s actions during the Battle of the Crater | Conditions in the trenches | Federal health care vs. Confederate health care

Part 5:  Eric J. Wittenberg Interview Part 5
Time: 8:00
Contents: Photographs of the trenches included in the book | The “fourth offensive” | US Major General Gouverneur K. Warren’s actions at Globe Tavern often overlooked | US Major General Winfield S. Hancock at Second Ream’s Station

Part 6:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 6
Time: 7:30
Contents: Differences between the Federal and Confederate fortifications | Confederate shaft to Dr. Duval’s house

Part 7:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 7
Time: 4:48
Contents: The field works north of the James River | Confederate soldier shortages on the line

Part 8:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 8
Time: 6:38
Contents: Ulysses S. Grant’s “Throttling Plan” | The “seventh offensive” and the strategic importance of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run

Part 9:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 9
Time: 5:44
Contents: Dr. Roderick Davidson’s Artis Avis | The testing of the “squirter”

Part 10:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 10
Time: 3:46
Contents: The strategic importance of the Battle of Five Forks during the “eighth offensive” | The loss of A.P. Hill and the Confederacy’s fading fortunes

Part 11:  Earl J. Hess Interview Pt 11
Time: 5:11
Contents: Discussion on the conclusion of “In the Trenches of Petersburg” | Grant’s tactical plan of “constant contact” | Upcoming works from Earl Hess | Wrap up

Check out other great Civil War titles by Earl J. Hess

Details about “Pea Ridge: Civil War Campaign in the West”
Written by: Earl J. Hess and William L. Shea
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: August 6, 1997
ISBN-10: 0807846694

Details about “Lee’s Tar Heels”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 456 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: December 4, 2001
ISBN-10: 0807826871

Details about “The Union Soldier in Battle”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: University Press of Kansas
Date of First Edition: September 13, 2005
ISBN-10: 0700614214

Details about “Banners to the Breeze: The Kentucky Campaign, Corinth, and Stones River”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 253 pages
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Date of First Edition: February 1, 2000
ISBN-10: 0803223803

Details about “Pickett’s Charge: The Last Attack at Gettysburg”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 516 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: October 31, 2000
ISBN-10: 0807826480

Details about “Field Armies and Fortifications in the Civil War”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: April 6, 2005
ISBN-10: 0807829315

Details about “Trench Warfare Under Grant and Lee”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of First Edition: September 5, 2007
ISBN-10: 0807831549

Details about “The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat”
Written by: Earl J. Hess
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: University Press of Kansas
Date of First Edition: September 9, 2008
ISBN-10: 0700616071