Columbus, Georgia, 1865

Book excerpt: A thoroughly researched account of a memorable Civil War battle Columbus, Georgia, 1865 is a comprehensive study of the Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865, conflict, which occurred in the dark of night and extended over a mile and half through a series of forts and earthworks and was finally decided in an encounter on a bridge a thousand feet in length. This volume offers the first complete account of this battle, examining and recounting in depth not only the composition and actions of the contending forces, which numbered some three thousand men on each side, but meticulously detailing the effect of the engagement on the city of Columbus and its environs. Misulia’s study fills in an omission in the grand account of our cataclysmic national struggle and adds a significant chapter to the history of an important regional city. In addition, Misulia takes on the long-vexing question of which encounter should be recognized as the last battle of the Civil War and argues persuasively that Columbus, Georgia, qualifies for this distinction on a number of counts.