This is a really good and documented, referenced read.
Probably one of the least known union generals.
But one of the most important in the eastern theater.
Politically hounded for his non conformist beliefs about how to conduct the war and how to treat the southern states at the end and after the war.
1 example was his objections to Burnside about shelling Fredericksburg.
After 3 bombardments ordered by Burnside to no avail to drive a regiment of Mississippians out of the town and the rubble which gave them better protection from the artillery.
General Hunt was the one who came up with idea to do the amphibious Assualt and organized it.
Burnside told him if it fails Hunt would be responsible.
It succeeded and Burnside of course took credit for it..
General Hunt also organized the union artillery on Malvern Hill.
Organized and conducted the Artillery seige of Petersburg.
Everyone recognize,s the picture of the dictator rail car mortar.
Gen Hunts creation
At the battle of the crater General hunts artillery sealed off both sides of the attack from confederate counter attack.
Infantry attack plan changed.
Took out the Black Division to lead attack 2 hrs prior to crater explosion and replaced it with unrehearesed white divisions.
Cause grant and Meade were worried how the press would report the attack if a black division was slaughterd.
Didn't matter....
3 divisions IIRC including the black division all went into the crater, Hunt had to shut his guns down.
Attack went in 20 mins after.
2 union generals drinking whiskey in a Bunker while their men are getting slaughtered.
Gen Hunts unvarnished scathing report after the crater battle haunted him for years political enemy wise....
Like many officers on both sides many served with each other in the old army and the Mexican War.
One of his students the confederate artillery commander at Gettysburg. Pendleton IIRC.
Both talking at Appomattox.
Pendleton told Hunt.
I know my artillery at Gettysburg was seen by you as a total failure.
And how he wondered for almost 2yrs what Gen Hunt thought of it.
General told him that in fact it was and 80% of his shots were high and hitting in the rear areas 1/4 to 1/2 mile behind the Infantry front lines.
He told him if he would have slowed down his rate of fire and observed it and not let the guns tails dig into the ground causing his high shots his artillery might have been more effective.
Gen Hunt told pendleton he was instructed to leave 2 batteries of 30 pd parrot rifles he had modified with wheels on their gun carriages in storage.
They both had a discussion about the effect those 30 pd parrots might have had long range wise on picketts charge.
They both agreed as soon as the confederates left the tree line that day the parrots would have broken up picketts charge well before Emmittsburg road by being constantly under long range fire then mid and close fire from napoleons and 3 inch ordinance rifles.
But hind sight by both didn't change what went down..
LT hunt went to Church with Captain Lee.
Just one example in the book of both sides officers knowing and serving with each other in the old army.
Much much more in it.
Gen Hunt then Col Hunt guns covered the retreat from 1st Bull run as last unit rear gaurd.
His guns also turned a Confederate Brigade level attack at Blackburns Ford IIRC during 1st bull run.
A flanking attack many don't know of per history.
If it had succeeded the union would have had its retreat route completely cut off with a confederate infantry Brigade in its rear.
It is a good book if you can find it.