Coming Soon in the Emerging Civil War Series: Bacon or Bust

Bacon or Bust: Longstreet’s 1863 Suffolk Operations
by Brian Steel Wills
Savas Beatie, 2027

Emerging Civil War is wicked pleased to welcome historian Brian Steel Wills to the ECW Series. True, Brian is far from “emerging”—in fact, he’s one of the most respected Civil War scholars in the field. That’s why we’re so excited to have him write a book for the series.

We’re doubly excited because Brian has penned a true passion project: the Civil War story of his home town of Suffolk, Virginia.

Students of Chancellorsville know that the Army of Northern Virginia was undersized during the campaign, missing a quarter of its strength because half of James Longstreet’s First Corps was on detached duty. But that’s usually the extent of what people know about the adventures of Lee’s “Old Warhorse” during that phase of the war. Brian’s book goes in depth about the operations around Suffolk, drawing on an incredible collection of primary sources to tell the stories of northern and southern soldiers as well as the area’s civilians.

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About the Book:

Robert E. Lee’s army needed supplies, and as the early months of 1863 wore on, the need grew more and more urgent. To address the problem, Lee sent his trusted “Old Warhorse,” Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, on a mission to collect food, forage, and other necessities. The target: southeast Virginia, near the North Carolina border.

A Federal garrison in Suffolk, Virginia, guarded the area, which served as a back door to the key Federal position in Norfolk. Control of Hampton Roads and the entrance of Chesapeake Bay depended on control of Norfolk.

Federals manned the works with 25,000 men, commanded by the relatively unknown Maj. Gen. John J. Peck. Rear Admiral Samuel P. Lee provided necessary naval support, but could he and Peck successfully cooperate? Could this army-navy tandem hold up against 20,000 of Lee’s most battle-hardened troops, commanded by one of his most trust commanders?

From April 11 through May 4, Longstreet and Peck sparred, even as Confederates roamed the bountiful countryside, collecting vital supplies. Would combat between the forces erupt into full-blown conflict, or could Longstreet stay focused on his primary foraging mission? Would he? And what impact did Union Maj. Gen. “Fighting Joe” Hooker have on the operations, particularly once he launched his Chancellorsville Campaign against Lee?

The stakes for Longstreet—to keep the Army of Northern Virginia supplied—could not have been higher.

Renowned historian Brian Steel Wills returns to his hometown to tell the oft-overlooked and underappreciated tale of James Longstreet’s foray to Suffolk. Drawing on abundant sources left behind by the 45,000 soldiers involved, Wills tells the tale of the campaign from the perspective of the men who served. Bacon or Bust is packed with their amazing accounts.