Book Description
The March to the Sea was the culmination of Union General William T. Sherman's 1864 campaign during the American Civil War and was a devastating example of "total war." Confederate hopes in 1864 hinged on frustrating Union forces in the field and forcing Abraham Lincoln out of office in the November elections. However, this optimism was dampened by Sherman's success in the battle of Atlanta that same year.
Riding on the wave of this victory, Sherman hoped to push his forces into Confederate territory, but his plan was hindered by a Confederate threat to the army's supply lines.
After much delay, he boldly chose to abandon these, forcing the army to live off the land for the entirety of the 285-mile march to Savannah, destroying all war-making capabilities of the enemy en route, and inflicting suffering not only on Confederate troops, but also on the civilian population. Despite the vilification that this brutal tactic earned him, the march was a success.
Supported by contemporary photographs, detailed maps, bird's eye views, and battlescene artwork, this title explores the key personalities, strategies, and significant engagements of the march, including the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and the ultimate fall of Savannah to the Union, to provide a detailed analysis of the campaign that marked the "beginning of the end" of the American Civil War.
Customer Reviews:
A top pick for any military collection strong in Civil War history........2007-07-07
SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA 1864: ATLANTIC TO SAVANNAH by David Smith tells of a grueling march - nearly three hundred miles - in which the army lived off the land and destroyed all war-making capabilities of the enemy. Photos, maps, and art examines the major participants, strategies, and campaigns of the last months of the Civil War, making for a top pick for any military collection strong in Civil War history.
Sherman and the March To The Sea in a Nut Shell.......2007-06-08
David Smith in less than a hundred pages provides the best short volume available regarding "Sherman's Renowned March To The Sea". Providing a short biography of each key player, the reason behind the campaign, including Grant's fear that it would fail, Smith writes in a very readable fashion. I recommend it for the beginner or the seasoned reader who wishes to understand the impact that Sherman had on ending the American Civil War. Further, while Sherman did not invent "total war", he brought it to the United States. The lesson of the "march" is timely for today, especially the fact that war involves civilians, no matter how one attempts to paint the issue otherwise.
The book reads like a well-crafted novel and should be purchased without resveration.
Two Campaigns for the Price of One.......2007-04-16
In Osprey's Campaign No. 179, Sherman's March to the Sea 1864, author David Smith describes Sherman's campaign across Georgia and Hood's campaign across Tennessee in late 1864. This is a phase of the American Civil War that often gets short shrift, due to the lack of `popular' large-scale battles, but it was nonetheless decisive in determining the outcome of the war in the West. Smith manages to deftly weave together the two campaigns into a coherent narrative that nicely adds to our understanding of this crucial phase of the war.
The opening sections on the origins of the campaign, opposing commanders, opposing armies and opposing plans are good. Smith's section on commanders provides capsule bios of 6 Union and 3 Confederate leaders, while the opposing armies section details the forces in both Tennessee and Georgia. The campaign narrative proper is sub-divided into two chapters on Sherman's march across Georgia and one on Hood's invasion of Tennessee. Graphically, the volume is complemented by five 2-D maps (After the fall of Atlanta, September-October 1864; March to the Sea, Part 1, 15-26 November 1864; Hood's Tennessee Campaign, November-December 1864; the Battle of Franklin, 30 November 1864; and the March to the Sea, Part 2, 28 November - 21 December 1864), two 3-D BEV maps (the Battle of Nashville, first and second day, 15-16 December 1864) and three battle scenes by Richard Hook (the Battle of Allatoona Pass, 5 October 1864; a Union foraging party; and Fort Mcallister, 13 December 1864). The volume also has rather lengthy orders of battle for both campaigns, totaling 7 pages. Notes on the battlefields today and bibliography are short, but adequate.
Southern readers may find Smith's description of Sherman's march to be a bit anti-septic, in that it seems to downplay the harm and injury inflicted upon Georgia's civilian population. Sherman's march was an emotional, gut-wrenching experience for the Confederacy to witness a Union army moving unmolested through the heart of its territory and the psychological damage was complemented by a vicious scorched earth policy. Smith's account is lucid but lacks some of the emotive weight that provides the historical context for this campaign. Even Sherman realized that his operation was far more than a mere march or a plundering raid, but a deep stab into the South's vitals. Indeed, Sherman's march was an early example of a new philosophy of warfare, that held that attacks upon regular military forces was merely a precursor to the execution of decisive attacks against an enemy's civilian economy (e.g. Julian Corbett a few decades later). It was also interesting to see the author's discussion of the Confederate use of buried land mines outside Savannah, which posed a threat not unlike the IEDs in Iraq today.
The author also covers Hood's campaign effectively and avoids any pre-determination that the campaign was foredoomed. Indeed, the author suggests that under better conditions, Hood's invasion of Tennessee might have succeeded in diverting at least part of Sherman's forces (but for how long?). Readers thirsting for action while find their appetite sated by the sanguinary battles of Franklin and Nashville, which ended any chance for the Confederacy to retrieve something from this campaign. Overall, a good volume.
Book Description
Shrouds of Glory is Winston Groom's riveting account of General John Bell Hood's decisive actions in the western theater of operations during the final moments of the Civil War. Taking us on a journey through the ravaged Confederacy to the once-vibrant city of Nashville — where General Hood makes a last, futile attempt to preserve the Confederacy — Shrouds of Glory brings the reader into the general's tent, where Grant, Sherman, Lee, and others plot their often unorthodox strategies for winning the war. Groom paints vivid portraits of Hood and his nemeses, revealing the character, faults, emotions, and most of all the doubts that molded the course of conflict.
Customer Reviews:
Hood gets a fair shake..........2007-05-24
Bravo for Mr. Groom's balanced account of Jospeh "I'll retreat instead" E. Johnston's favorite whipping-boy, John Bell Hood. While Wiley Sword offers a character assassination, Groom gives the reader first-rate balanced analysis. Those who regard Sword's work as the high-mark for this topic owe themselves a peek at this book - especially around pages 200, as Groom offers a blow-by-blow rebuttal to all Hood's attackers. Groom does not necessarily defend Hood, but more offers a genuine presentation of ALL the facts. Matter of fact, if I recall correctly, Sword's nonsense is not even noted as a source by Groom!
Forgettable.......2005-12-02
Considering Groom's talents as a writer, I was disappointed in this book. I got so bored with it that I practically had to make myself finish it. The campaign itself is a very interesting one, but the book does not read that way. That being said, the book does serve as a decent introduction to the Army of Tennessee and the campaign, but just is not in-depth or compelling enough for most buffs, I would think. This book is useful as a start, but if you find yourself interested in the campaign after this book, move on to Wiley Sword's The Confederacy's Last Hurrah.
Shrouds of story..........2005-08-04
This is a fine account of the final campaign of the Army of Tennessee and has some welcome insights particularly into the fine qualities of General Thomas.
However, for those readers looking for greater detail and for outstanding maps of the various regimental, brigade positions, then look to Wiley Swords, Embrace an Angry Wind or The Last Hurrah. In this reader's opinion a much more exciting and detailed accounting of this last great movement of the Army of Tennessee.
Great Civil War History Book for Novices.......2005-04-27
This book is definitely one I would recommend for people who are not history buffs. This one reads like a novel and is not a dry account of facts or figures. It puts flesh and bones on real life characters. It is well written and an easy read. It is lacking in a few maps but it is mercifully lacking in annoying footnotes which at times can bog down reader's interests while reading facts and figures instead of keeping abreast of the story line. Now some people want and need more maps but I found it very adequate. I enjoyed this book and learned quite a bit of Civil War history about the Atlanta to Nashville campaign I didn't know about.
Hood's last hurrah - Gen. George Thomas's vindication.......2000-05-07
Shrouds of Glory does an efficent job of laying out John Bell Hood's last hurrah at a little known, but crucial battle of the Civil War. What may not be so well known is that the Battle of Nashville in December of 1864 was also the vindication of the Union General George "Pap" Thomas, (who by the way was originally from Virginia).
Linclon & Grant had their doubts about Thomas's waiting game at Nashville. The orders to relieve him of command were on the the way when Thomas unleashed the Union attack and the resulting disaster to the Confederate Army of Tennesee vindicated his patience. Sherman said the Battle of Nashville was the only battle of the Civil War where a whole army ceased to exist after the fight.
If Hood was desperate to make a break through, and he was, as Groom has laid out. Thomas was just as determined to close the door once and for all. I appreciated how this book laid out the events leading up to that battle.
Just as a side note, one of the Union regiments at Nashville was the Ohio 182nd Infantry. In that regiment was my great-grandfather, Sgt. George Debolt Newcomer.
Book Description
Reprint of landmark 1866 volume with 61 plates: battlefield of New Hope Church, the Etawah Bridge, the capture of Atlanta, much more.
Customer Reviews:
A little dissapointing.......2006-08-06
Apparently this is the only book available on the Battle of Resaca, and for that I am grateful. But the book left me confused as the the flow of battle. Some better and more detailed maps would have helped, with units located a little better. I just never got a good feel for what happened there. He mentions advanced Confederate lines in front of the main line, but fails to position these on the map. He mentions the dismissal of Union General Judah, but leaves it at that, with no follow up. The author uses the same map and corresponding unit movement arrows for the 1st day as the second. So did the Confederates attack over the exact same ground? I'm sure Dr. Secrist is an expert on the battle, he just didn't keep in mind that most reading his book would not be, and he left out lots of explanitory details. Why did the Confederates choose Resaca to make a stand? Why didn't Sherman just choose to expand the Lay Ferry bridgehead? I do agree with him totally that Sherman was not a great tactical commander. But the victors always get to write the history don't they?
Fair value.......2006-07-21
This book has two very distinct parts that complement each other and together make a small book.
Part one is a magazine article containing a standard battle history. While well written, I could feel the effort that went into making it fit the mold. The maps and illustrations as reproduced in the book are almost unreadable. The addition of two multi-color pages of maps help but do not fully cover the action. This made it almost impossible to follow the battle as I frequently tried to locate the map and the place on it. The author is determined that Sherman is a poor battle commander and never misses a chance to point this out. At Resaca, like many battles the plan was not what happened, some was Sherman's fault but the reader can figure that out.
Part two is a history of the battlefield. This is a labor of love for the author and he does a very good job here. Preservation is a problem and we see what is being done, how it can be done and why we need to do more. The photographs here add real value to the book.
This is not a bad book nor is it a good one. You are getting fair value for your money and a good overview of the battle and the battle to preserve the field. It is not a great small battle book and I feel it could be better.
Brief Overview of Resaca.......2005-11-08
As I usually point out in cases like this, Mr. Secrist's book is the only one to focus specifically on the Battle of Resaca. In this early fight of the Atlanta Campaign, Secrist believes Sherman had a great chance to trap and destroy Johnston's Army of Tennessee, thus ending the campaign before it had hardly begun. Instead, says Secrist, Sherman failed and doomed his Army to a long journey before they reached Atlanta. The book is rather thin at 102 pages, especially when one considers that only Part I (the first 65 pages of the book) is a narrative of the battle. Part II consists of the Battlefield from the end of the battle through today, with an emphasis on relic hunting and preservation efforts. The maps are average. On the plus side we have topographical lines on the standard maps, but these maps are of the Resaca area today. However, since the land has changed so little since 1864 (aside from the construction of I-75 directly through it!), this is not necessarily a large minus. The troop positions leave something to be desired on the standard maps. Sherman's and Johnston's lines are drawn as one large line, with Corps (and sometimes Divisions) marked off in a vague manner. Secrist does include other maps taken from the Official Records Atlas, but these are pretty small and a little difficult to read. On a lot of pages, text ends early, so this book is really even shorter than the listed 102 pages. On the plus side, Secrist is well-qualified to write the book. He has been studying the Resaca Battlefield since 1958, and is a noted relic hunter. I enjoyed his writing style. The book was definitely not a tedious read. All in all, though, The Battle of Resaca was too short for my taste. It just did not contain enough detail, and only whetted my appetite for more detailed discussion. Sadly, a more detailed discussion does not exist.
102 pp., 12 maps
One Of The Best!.......2002-10-05
I have read the Battle of Resaca by Philip Secrist and I highly recommend this book for the serious student of the Battle of Resaca.
Dr. Secrist has done an outstanding job by going into more detail than is normal for a Civil War book. The maps are great and are drawn so that even the novice can find the sites. Secrist brings up-to-date what is happening to Resaca at the present time. I found in the book why that there were certain parts of the battlefield that I couldn't locate. Well worth the price!
Live the battle........2000-09-04
Ideal book for a Civil War buff. Take it with you if you visit the site. Written accounts from the soldiers that stormed across the hills put you in the moment. Several good maps and even pictures taken a few days after the battle help take you out of your living room and into the past.
Book Description
In the first full biography of Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906), Donald Connelly examines the career of one of the leading commanders in the western theater during the Civil War and the role of politics in the formulation of military policy during both war and peace in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Connelly relates how Schofield, as a department commander during the war, had to cope with contending political factions that sought to shape military and civil policies. Following the war, Schofield occupied every senior position in the army--including secretary of war and commanding general of the army--and became a leading champion of army reform and professionalism. He was the first senior officer to recognize that professionalism would come not from the separation of politics and the military but from the army's accommodation of politics and the often contentious American constitutional system.
Seen through the lens of Schofield's extensive military career, the history of American civil-military relations has seldom involved conflict between the military and civil authority, Connelly argues. The central question has never been whether to have civilian control but rather which civilians have a say in the formulation and execution of policy.
Customer Reviews:
An overlooked officer.......2006-05-09
John Schofield was one of those young men who managed to graduate from West Point just before the start of the Civil War. When the war began, like many others, he quickly became a general officer. Unlike many others, he retained this rank for the rest of his very long career. He held administrative and battlefield commands during the war, was Secretary of War, superintended West Point, and eventually became commanding general. Yet, he is almost unknown outside the circle of civil war experts and even within that group is not a major subject of research. This book will fill that gap. It is copiously detailed and covers every aspect of Schofield's career. The book centers on Schofield's negotiation of the politics of the military life. However, the author provides an opbjective and appropriately critical discussion of Schofield's role in the Atlanta/Franklin/Nashville campaigns. Schofield's personal virtues and flaws are also analyzed. As the book deals with army administration, army/congressional relationships, and politics, it is not a quick read. However, if you are willing to devote the time needed to carefully read this book, you will come away with a good understanding of the role of this interesting and important officer.
Customer Reviews:
Clarity itself.......2007-07-18
I confess I often find military history very hard to follow with all those ridges, flanks, obstacles and maps that never seem to correspond to what you are reading. This book is clarity itself and explains the campaigns from a number of points of view, giving clear assessments, which one can agree or disagree with, but will surely respect as having been made thoughtfully. An admirable little book.
Excellent Overview .......2007-04-03
This book languished on my "to read" stack, always getting pushed down as "better books" arrived. On trips through the area, I would resolve to read this next but never did. After hearing the author speak on Johnston, resolve became action. I must confess this is the "better book" and should have been read sooner.
This is what a campaign overview should be. Intelligently written, directly to the point with enough detail to sustain the story without slowing the narration. Mr. McMurry has an excellent in-depth understanding of the subject. This allows him to combine information and insight that informs and entertains at the same time. He easily places the campaign within the context of the war and the people within their inter-personal histories. The personalities and how they relate or fail to relate is the heart of the CSA's problem and the seeds of the questions we still ask. The Confederate Army of Tennessee is a study in management failure; McMurry gives these problems a national perspective by linking them to Davis' personality. This provides an answer to the South's inability to find new generals that was crippling her by 1864.
The maps are campaign level and linked to the chapter. They were detailed enough to meet the needs of movement but do not provide a campaign level picture. There are no battle maps, this is a campaign overview and battle maps, while nice, are not required. I found the author to be to hard on Grant in saying that his 1864 strategy failed. Few would consider it a resounding success but total failure is overly harsh. The North is winning because they fond at least two good fighting generals. The South is losing because they cannot find more than one.
If you require a well written, intelligent and fun to read overview of the Atlanta Campaign, this is it.
For God's Sake, Get Some Maps!!!!.......2006-12-13
This book is extremely well written and a great read. It also provides a good overview of the entire campaing. Perhaps the best part however, is the analysis of all the principal players and grand strategies. My one complaint which, seems to be problematic in most military books, is the lack of adequate maps. There are only about 4 in the entire book and they are pretty horrible. None of them show troop positions and movements which, I find to be crucial to fully grasping the situation. I actually had to make my own maps and pencil in troops based on his descriptions just ot get a visual. Needless, to say this was very painstaking and annoying. Overall however, it's a good book.
latest monday morning quarterbacking,complete with former privates appointed armchair generals........2006-09-29
this is a digest since all the facts of the Atlanta campaign couldn't be covered in 200 pages. From the start when the author suggested that the liberation of Andersonville Prison in southern Georgia would have given the Yankees another couple of thousand soldiers i had to question it since Andersonville was a "humanitarain disaster". Indeed if Sherman had freed up this camp he would have had such a handful he wouldn't have been able to fight Johnson's army at all. That is why he choose to ignore it,he knew what was there but he never mentioned it and only sent a light cavalry raid to attempt it.Twelve thousand internees living virtually in their own sewage would not have been a positive addition to his army.Joe Johnson was a counter-puncher and we'll never know what he would have done,cause even at Richmond when he struck the Yanks a few miles from Richmond,he was wounded and Lee took over.The private confederate soldier may have griped at Johnson but at as they say,"a griping soldier is a happy soldier",not like the silent fear the troops had when Hood took over. I've read the memoirs of CSA soldier Sam Watkins and according to him Joe Johnson was loved like a father cause despite the marching and entrenching he spared his soldiers lives.Hood was represented by some accounts as addicted to painkillers and became more aggressive the more body parts he lost.A fine brigade commander but as the "Peter Principle" states,promoted beyond his capacity.His promotion shows how desperate the Confederacy was in fact.Nevermind the northern 1864 elections,the south was even more in need of a victory.On the other hand the author does point out that Hood tried to attack the Yanks when they were moving before they could get entrenched,so his attacks at Atlanta were not completely insane,unless you were in the attacking formation.The fog of war always bad was even worse,during the Civil War remember there are no walkie-talkies so a commander must count on a certain amount of chaos in troop movements. Johnson on the other hand kept things pretty simple and compact and the Confederate Army was an intact force when Hood took it over.When Hood was relieved after his failure to defeat Sherman it was little more than a "third column". I did like the way the author stressed the different railroad connections and their importance in the campaign,strategy over tactics. unfortuneately for the confederate army the north was alot better equipped to implement theirs.
Joe Johnson, Hood, and Sherman at Atlanta........2006-03-28
Another book that tackles the subject of who lost Atlanta. Joe Johnson certainly set the stage by retreating and not seriously contesting Sherman's movements toward one of the South's largest cities. Johnson thought Sherman would charge his entrenched positions, and Sherman had no desire to take thousands of casualties. So the move toward Atlanta was one of feints and flanking movements which resulted in Sherman moving closer to Atlanta and Johnson giving up valuable real estate.
This is a nicer book than Atlanta will Fall, because it is less harsh on Joe Johnson. It is charitable to both Johnson and Hood, although it does point the finger at both for losing Atlanta. Hood is depicted as a cavilier soldier who aggressiveness would result in thousands of Army of Tennessee soldiers deaths.
This is a short read, and although a little revisionist, it backs its arguments up with solid facts, as noted in the Appendixes. A good, solid read about Sherman's drive to Atlanta.
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