The Class of 1846: From West Point to Appomattox: Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan, and Their Brothers

An in depth review of the character and abilities of these West Point cadets. From young men through marriages, death and the Civil War these men are reviewed not only as soldiers but as human beings. Stonewall Jackson and George McClellan are followed all the way from West Point through the Mexican War, Indian Wars to the Civil War. Many others from the 1846 class are reviewed also. Much of their personal lives are revealed as you get know and understand the human beings along with the soldiers. Easy to read and follow. Difficult to put down.

I initially heard of this book after reading a review in the Wall Street Journal. I was very impressed with the way Waugh weaved this story together. We bond with the characters as they struggle through their years at West Point. The friendships started in the Academy are then forged on various battlefields in Mexico (a war about which most Americans know next to nothing... including me!). Then, these life-long friends turn into enemies during the Civil War. I have to admit that when reading Waugh's description of the surrender at Appomattox, I was moved to tears... while deadheading in an airplane full of passengers! I was totally caught up in Waugh's storytelling. Masterful job and a great read. John Cathcart Author, Delta 7

A well written and brilliantly crafted work, I enjoyed this book immensely. Not only did it add credence to the notion of brother against brother, it gave concrete examples of how the Civil War, in all its horror and misery, failed to sever the bonds of many West Point class mates. It is recommended not only for military history buffs, but for those who don't understand this aspect of the Civil War.

John Waugh has done a masterful job of intertwining the bittersweet lives of these famous civil war classmates. Your heart goes out to the tragedy of Gen. George McClellan, a man frustrated with the desire to protect his men and yet always tentative in the approach to battle. These men's experiences are intimately tied together in ways that only freshen one's understanding of the Civil War. A must read.

Although most of the information in this book is not new, it is presented with such flair that it is hard to put down. From time to time, I was offput by Waugh's determination to go into excruciating detail on some battles. For example, did the anger of the Union cook in Charleston harbor do anything for the Ft. Sumter issue? (If I were to indicate that perhaps it was nonetheless humorous in those dark and sad times, I would feel insensitive.) Using so much print here and throughout, he omitted other battles that could have added to his writing laurels. Nonetheless, I felt the anguish of our country's patriots, on both sides of the rifles. Having myself completed a military career, I tried to put myself in their shoes of yesteryear. How I would have cried having to fire upon those with whom I bonded in aviation cadets. And with whom I still stay in touch, these 45 years later. Or if some of my family, i.e., parents, sister, or children, had chosen to fly a different flag than mine. On the other hand, I relished Waugh's description of General Tom Jackson revving back and forth in Virginia time and time again. We've lived in the metropolitan area of Washington, DC for many years, and traveled the length of Virginia several times. How exciting to read about the names of so many places that we have driven past at least a dozen times enroute to our family home in Mississippi, yet another Confederate stronghold. Having visited Gettysburg's battlefield provided us with another sense of our nation's anguish. This book provides so many moments of recall, that I could continue on, but I would never be able to capture the spirit of that era that Waugh has so generously shared with us. Clearly, this book will rank alongside the top notch Catton works of the Civil War.