Frederick W. Lander: The Great Natural American Soldier

About this book

Tall and handsome vigorous and hot-tempered fearless to a fault Frederick W. Lander (18211862) became one of the most name-recognized Americans in the years 1854 to 1862. A top-notch railroad and wagon-road engineer in the western territories a popular lyceum speaker a published c-tion writer and poet an adept negotiator with Native Americans and an agent for the Lincoln administration and the Union army the Massachusetts native attracted newspaper coverage from coast to coast for his renown and versatility. His name evoked emotion and passion among his friends and associates including artists poets explorers engineers soldiers and politicians but at his untimely death early in the Civil War he quickly and tragically descended into anonymity. With an energy that bets his subject Gary L. Ecelbarger brings to life this intriguing romantic personality of the nineteenth century tempting the imagination to consider what Lander might have accomplished had he lived longer. Using more than ve hundred unpublished letters and documents written by Lander and his colleagues superiors and subordinates Ecelbarger delves into all of the major aspects of Landers life but focuses upon its nal chapter in the Civil War. Promoted directly from unpaid aide-de-camp to brigadier general Lander was quickly dubbed the great natural American soldier by Lieutenant General Wineld Scott for his brilliant promise as a military leader. The author offers a richly detailed narrative of Landers courageous participation in three campaigns during the rst year of the conict: Rich Mountain MayJuly 1861; Balls Bluff SeptemberOctober 1861; and the previously undocumented campaign against Stonewall Jackson JanuaryMarch 1862. Ecelbarger studies Landers aws attributes and achievements to provide a judicious comprehensive analysis of his actions and character. In Frederick W. Lander he produces the spellbinding story of a once-forgotten hero who now appears life size.