In February 1865, the end was clearly in sight for the Confederate government. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg had dashed the hopes of the Confederate army, and Grant's victory at Vicksburg had cut the South in two. An Honorable Defeat is the story of the four months that saw the surrender of the South and the assassination of Lincoln by Southern partisans. It is also the story of two men, antagonists yet political partners, who struggled during this time...

The challenge of command and the horror of battle through the words and experiences of Civil War officers. Illustrated with contemporary photographs, artwork of uniforms and equipment, and a specially commissioned series of color photographs of many of the rarest remaining artifacts of the period. Featuring among others the uniforms and personal memorabilia of Generals Lee, Grant, Meade and Jackson.