The Burnside Expedition in North Carolina: A Succession of Honorable Victories (Unsung Battles — The Civil War’s Overlooked Campaigns)

The definitive account of Union General Ambrose E. Burnside’s North Carolina Campaign — a pivotal moment in the American Civil War.

When Major General George B. McClellan, Commander of the United States Army, ordered Ambrose E. Burnside and his “Coast Division” to North Carolina in 1862, the Union was desperate for a victory. After humiliating defeats at Bull Run, Wilson’s Creek, and Ball’s Bluff, morale was low and political confidence shaken.

Drawing on a wealth of original sources and meticulous research, Richard A. Sauers offers a vivid, chronological account of Burnside’s operations—from the planning stages and political context to the hard-fought battles that followed. His detailed descriptions of Roanoke Island, New Bern, and Fort Macon, along with the naval victory at Elizabeth City and storm-ravaged voyages, bring the campaign to life through the words of those who fought it.

Perfect for readers of William Marvel, Michael P. Zatarga, John G. Barrett, and John Keegan, The Burnside Expedition in North Carolina is both a deeply researched military history and a moving tribute to the men on both sides who gave their lives in the struggle for America’s future.