During the summer of 1862, a Confederate resurgence threatened to turn the tide of the Civil War. When the Unionαs earlier multitheater thrust into the South proved to be a strategic overreach, the Confederacy saw its chance to reverse the loss of the Upper South through counteroffensives from the Chesapeake to the Mississippi. Benjamin Franklin Cooling tells this story in Counter-Thrust, recounting in harrowing detail Robert E. Leeαs flouting of his antagonist George B. McClellanαs drive to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond and describing the Confederate heroαs long-dreamt-of offensive to reclaim central and northern Virginia before crossing the Potomac. Counter-Thrust also provides a window into the Unionαs internal conflict at building a successful military leadership team during this defining period. Cooling shows us Lincolnαs administration in disarray, with relations between the president and field commander McClellan strained to the breaking point. He also shows how the fortunes of war shifted abruptly in the Unionαs favor, climaxing at Antietam with the bloodiest single day in American history₂and in Lincolnαs decision to announce a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Here in all its gritty detail and considerable depth is a critical moment in the unfolding of the Civil War and of American history.

Summer impasse -- From Tidewater to Cedar Mountain -- Stonewall and a Virginia reel -- Lee and Pope at Second Manassas -- In the rain at Chantilly -- Maryland, my Maryland -- South Mountain and Harpers Ferry -- The bridges of the Antietam -- Opportunities found and lost.