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by James V. Murfin (Author), James I. Jr. Robertson (Introduction by), Scott Hartwig (Foreword by)
One of the bloodiest days in American military history, the Battle of Antietam turned the tide of the Civil War in favor of the North and delivered the first major defeat to Robert E. Lee's army. In The Gleam of Bayonets, James V. Murfin gives a compelling account of the events and personalities involved in this momentous battle. The gentleness and patience of Lincoln, the vacillations of McClellan, and the grandeur of Lee--all unfold before the reader. The battle itself is presented with precision and scope as Murfin blends together atmosphere and fact, emotions and tactics, into a dramatic and coherent whole. Originally published in 1965, The Gleam of Bayonets is now recognized as a classic and the standard against which all books on Antietam are measured.
Author Biography
James V. Murfin (1929-1987) spent most of his life chronicling the dramatic battle that took place close to his boyhood home of Hagerstown, Maryland. He worked for the National Park Service in the Publication's Division at Harpers Ferry for seventeen years and was the author or editor of more than a dozen books, including Harpers Ferry and National Parks of the U.S.A. The Murfin Theater at Antietam National Battlefield Visitors Center is named in his honor.
