M.A. Kleen

A few days ago, Emerging Civil War published one of my articles at their blog, titled “Breaking the Line at Fort Stedman: John B. Gordon’s Infiltration Innovation.” It looks at Confederate Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon’s innovative tactic in his assault on Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865, in the waning weeks of the American Civil War.

It was the last, desperate attack of the Army of Northern Virginia, and though it ended in failure, it began remarkably successfully. It was possible, given slightly different circumstances, the attack could have knocked Grant’s army on its heels and potentially delayed the war’s end by several months.

It wouldn’t be until more than fifty years later, in the trenches of World War 1, when similar infiltration tactics were relearned and reintroduced. Head over and check it out!