A dizzying series of momentous military actions occurred in Virginia in 1863. A year that began with Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia possessing the advantage in the field ended with the Southern army in tatters but still strong enough to hold back George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac. Stunning Confederate victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville in the spring were followed by a march into Maryland and Pennsylvania. The decisive Federal victory at Gettysburg in July, however, sent the Confederates reeling back into Virginia. By the year's end Lee's army was encamped behind the Rapidan River with a vast Federal army ready to attack and advance on Richmond.

The Storm Tide traces the history of these infamous battles of 1863 and provides a series of easy-to-follow tour guides to the battlefields today. Many of these battles are well known—Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg—but some are not—Bristoe Station and Mine Run.

In addition to lively narratives of the battles, noting unusual incidents and briefly highlighting the careers of the leaders who shaped them, the book contains more than 250 period photographs and line drawings, more than 100 photographs that illustrate the driving tours, several original maps, sidebar articles on military strategy, a chronology of key battles and important events, sources for additional travel information, a bibliography, and an index.