In the waning days of the Civil War, a desperate Confederate gamble nearly altered the course of American history. The story of that bold offensive—and the little-known battle that brought the war to the doorstep of Washington—is the subject of historian Robert P. Watson’s latest book, Rebels at the Gates: The Confederacy’s Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington. Watson will discuss the book and the high-stakes campaign it chronicles on Wednesday, July 2, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Books & Books in Coral Gables.
The event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance. The talk will take place at the bookstore’s flagship location at 265 Aragon Avenue. Copies of Rebels at the Gates, published by Rowman & Littlefield at $45, will be available for purchase on site.
Watson, a Distinguished Professor of History at Lynn University, has earned a following for his deep dives into overlooked chapters of American history. His previous works include George Washington’s Final Battle and The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, as well as The Nazi Titanic, which is being adapted into a motion picture. With Rebels at the Gates, he turns his attention to July 1864 and a moment when the outcome of the Civil War hung in the balance.
As Union General Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to Petersburg in Virginia—part of a final push toward Richmond—the Confederate capital appeared close to collapse. Facing inevitable defeat, General Robert E. Lee devised a diversion that aimed to shift the momentum of the war. The plan: dispatch troops to strike the Union capital itself. The maneuver forced Grant to peel off reinforcements from the front lines and thrust the defenses of Washington, D.C., into a sudden and precarious spotlight.
Drawing on archival records, diaries, and military dispatches, Watson reconstructs the urgency, strategy, and peril of those days. According to the publisher, his book offers the “definitive account of this largely forgotten attack on and defense of Washington,” including the moment when President Abraham Lincoln, observing the fighting from a parapet, was nearly shot.
The evening at Books & Books will mark Watson’s first appearance in Coral Gables since the release of America’s First Plague last year, which examined the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Mitchell Kaplan, founder of Books & Books, said events like these reinforce the store’s commitment to hosting thoughtful discussions around literature and history.
Watson, who lives in Boca Raton, has made a point of traveling throughout Florida to promote public engagement with history. His presentations often blend scholarly insight with narrative storytelling, making them popular with both casual readers and dedicated history buffs.
Most people know the big turning points of the Civil War—Gettysburg, Antietam, Appomattox. But this story, this near-invasion of the capital, has been overlooked. It’s a reminder of how tenuous things were and how one bold move could have changed everything.
The July 2 event comes at a fitting moment for Coral Gables, which is commemorating its centennial year. While Watson’s book focuses on Washington, D.C., and Virginia, the themes of civic identity and national resilience echo in the city’s own reflections on its past.
Books & Books, which has operated in Coral Gables since 1982, has played a central role in fostering the city’s literary life. The independent bookstore is known for its robust lineup of author events, often featuring leading voices in politics, history, and culture. With Watson’s visit, the store continues a tradition of spotlighting books that combine academic rigor with timely relevance.
To RSVP for the event or to purchase the book in advance, readers should click on this link, or call 305-442-4408 for more information.
As summer reading lists grow long and the nation approaches another Independence Day, Watson’s Rebels at the Gates offers a timely look at a moment when the survival of the Union was far from assured—and when a daring gamble nearly turned the tide.
