Book Description
Generally regarded as the most important of the Civil War campaigns conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, that of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. The armies of Philip H. Sheridan and Jubal A. Early contended for immense stakes. Beyond the agricultural bounty and the boost in morale to be gained with a victory, events in the Valley would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass.
The eleven essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors examine strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The authors do not always agree with one another, but, taken together, their essays highlight important connections between the home front and the battlefield, as well as ways in which military affairs, civilian experiences, and politics played off one another during the campaign.
Contributors:
William W. Bergen, Charlottesville, Virginia
Keith S. Bohannon, State University of West Georgia
Andre M. Fleche, University of Virginia
Gary W. Gallagher, University of Virginia
Joseph T. Glatthaar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Robert E. L. Krick, Richmond, Virginia
Robert K. Krick, Fredericksburg, Virginia
William J. Miller, Churchville, Virginia
Aaron Sheehan-Dean, University of North Florida
William G. Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joan Waugh, University of California, Los Angeles
Customer Reviews:
Nice collection of essays on the 1864 Shenandoah Valley battles.......2007-04-22
This is an interesting collection of essays on the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864. Gary Gallagher has pulled together a set of essays that, even if they sometimes contend with one another, helps the reader get a better understanding of the 1864 conflict.
The dramatic personae in this action include Lee's "bad old boy," Jubal Early, the combative but capable Confederate commander, versus Phil Sheridan, the hyperactive cavalry commander given charge of the Union forces in the Valley. Key players on the Union side: John Crook, leader of the "Army of West Virginia," William Emory of Sheridan's army, the cavalry (Torbert as head, with Merritt and Custer, and Devin as key subordinates). On the Confederate side: infantry commanders such as Gordon, Rodes and Ramseur and cavalry leaders Lomax, Munford, and Rosser. There was a lot of talent on each side, but Early's army was heavily outnumbered (maybe 40,000 troops under Sheridan and 14,000 or so under Early). Such numbers presaged an almost inevitable defeat of Early, with as combative a Union general as Sheridan on the other side (it can safely be said that prior Valley commanders such as Patterson, Hunter, Sigel, and so on may well have wasted such an advantage; Sheridan, despite his flaws as a combat commander, was unlikely to lose under such conditions).
What is nice about this volume is that the authors of the individuals chapters try to assess what actually happened and how good (or bad) commanders actually were, rather than repeating commonly understood judgments. What about the "Woodstock Races" after the Confederate cavalry's disastrous defeat at Tom's Brook? Confederate ineptitude? Or Union overwhelming force? What about Early versus Sheridan as commander of an army? Gallagher's chapter addresses this in a sensitive manner.
At Cedar Creek, what happened? Did Early's so-called "fatal halt" lose the day? Or were the Confederates so outnumbered and outgunned that--aside from total incompetence in Union leadership--they simply could not triumph? Another essay explores the generalship of the 6th Corps commander, Horatio Wright. The conclusions is that he did a good job as commander after the surprise attack while Sheridan was absent and may not have received the credit due him. Still, his performance in other venues in the Civil War was uneven. Here, however, he probably deserves good grades.
And so on. The essays in this volume provoke some thinking about the Valley Campaign of 1864. This is a good work to look at. The chapters are somewhat uneven (as to be expected from an edited volume), but--all in all--this is a useful examination of the subject.
Great Essays on the 1864 Confederate Collapse in the Valley: Early v. Sheridan .......2006-11-06
Another one of Gallagher's collection of great essays of a campaign while touting the greatest historians on the subject. The authors in this case cover the 1864 Valley situation from Early's arrival to save Lynchburg to his run at Washington to Sheridan's final mobilizing drive that is momentarily derailed by Early's great shock attack at Cedar Creek that crushes the unprepared Federals. But of course, the Union's regrouping at Cedar and counter attack virtually destroys Early's army. The essays cover the key battles and strategies including the make up of Early, Sheridan and a respectful view of the not so flamboyant and thus unappreciated General Horatio Wright who held things together at Cedar Creek when Sheridan arrived on the field. The latter part of the book also includes the social effect the war had on its population particularly as the means to feed the Confederate war machine was destroyed as part of the grand union strategy. Early and the Confederate Army no doubt fought heroically enough to challenge the record of Stonewall; however, they were literally overwhelmed by numbers and better horses and equipment. Of course, once confident, Sheridan keeps the pressure on with his young lions, Custer, Merritt and Torbet. A grand example of that is Robert E. L. Krick's essay on the battle of Tom Brook between the Confederate and Union cavalry that is extremely one sided, resulting in a total crushing of the Confederate horse. It's amazing that the Confederates were able to reorganize and launch what was at first a highly successful attack at Cedar Creek 10 days later. This recovery and attack is a tribute to Early, who unfortunately used his infamous tongue lashing too harshly afterwards demonstrating one of his worst character flaws. The other great aspect of these talented authors is their research, which is so impeccable that they sort out the historical misrepresentations and get to the truth of the matter, albeit at the expense of some such as John Gordon, the great fighter and embellisher. The only negative, I wish there was a summary of the battles in date line fashion along with a map that showed where all the key battles were fought. I also wish the summary of the situation prior to Early's arrival included a discussion of General "Grumble" Jones battle of Piedmont where he lost his life trying to stop General Hunter's attack of the valley. As an additional note, these fine historians get together almost every summer and provide excellent tours of the valley, a treat worth considering.
Another volume in a good series.......2006-06-12
This book of essays covers aspects of the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864. As is the case with all the volumes in this series, a number of military, social, and political issues are discussed. The essays are generally well-written and provide insights into some topics not evaluated in general histories of the campaign. Particularly good is the essay comparing the general performances of Sheridan and Early. One is left realizing that, given the resources available to each, Early actually did better than could have been expected and Sheridan made more errors than he should have. Worth the price of the entire volume, is the excellent biographical monograph about General Horatio Wright. This is the first attempt ever to provide a biographical sketch of this important but overlooked officer. The essay is balanced, well-researched, and very worthwhile to the serious student of this period.
This book is not for someone unfamiliar with this campaign but, as is the case with the rest of the series, is of value to the experienced Civil War reader.
Customer Reviews:
Recomended for the Neurasthenic patients: Read 10 pages a day until the book is finished........2007-03-04
You will never eat Corn Flakes the same way anymore.
I had no idea that something so simple as a cereal box had such an interesting story. I loved this book, because it describes an era of American history that many people don't even know. It recalls a time when medicine was truly a miraculous science, and cures, not remedies, were something attainable through rigorous regimes, diets or just plain therapy.
Through a cast of hilarious characters, T. Coraghessan Boyle describes some of the therapies that contributed to the success of the Sanatorium with unique humor and plenty of curious details. Green Ms. Muntz undergoes Radon Therapy, Mr. Praetz takes sinusoidal baths, Mrs. Lightbody, who suffers from neurasthenia, brings her husband Will, to the "Temple of Health" to recover from his chronic dyspepsia. There are laughing exercises, mandatory sunbaths, and of course, the all necessary enemas, administered by no other than Nurse Bloethal. (Let's not forget Dr. Spitzvogel and his manipulations of the womb!)
I wonder how Mr. Kellogg would feel now in the 21st century, when there are no cures for anything anymore, and people with ailments are forced to take medications for life. I wonder how would he feel when a medical breakthrough is announced in meek words as "may alleviate such condition" or "may help avoid certain cancers," or "results will vary," or worse: having the FDA recalling medications so frequently (the same medications patients take for life to stay healthy).
In resume, great book, you will have a good laugh about the whole story, hilarious, gullible characters, and a curious insight of something truly American.
P.S. Don't read this book without a dictionary. This book will expand your vocabulary!
5 "enematic" stars
"Each juicy morsel of meat is alive, and swarming with the same filth as found in the carcass of a dead rat.".......2006-09-16
John Harvey Kellogg, founder of the Battle Creek Sanitarium and developer of the corn flake, is committed to improving the health and well-being of his devoted disciples by promoting a life free of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and sex. In 1907, people flock to the San for lengthy stays to cleanse their bodies of impurities and improve their lives. Will Lightbody has stomach problems, and, encouraged by his wife Eleanor, a Kellogg believer, he agrees to accompany her for several months with Dr. Kellogg.
On the train they meet Charlie Ossining, a young man who wants to set up a rival company to Kellogg's to make corn flakes and to take advantage of the growing health industry. Charlie, who has a sleazy partner, is raising money for the manufacture of Perfo breakfast food, and when he and his partner team up with George Kellogg, one of John Kellogg's many adopted sons, the attempt to capitalize on John Kellogg's pioneering work becomes personal.
Charlie and the Lightbodys go their separate ways in Battle Creek and then reconnect throughout the novel, as Boyle shows Dr. Kellogg's excesses in the name of health--husbands and wives separated to prevent sex, grasses used for food, and regular enemas administered to rid the body of impurities. At the same time, he shows how easy it may be for fly-by-night operators, like Charlie and his partners, to capitalize on the natural desire of people to lead healthier lives. Will Lightbody, enrolled at the clinic, remains skeptical about the doctor's methods and frequently rebels against the most egregious practices, and through him Doyle is able to show the arguments made for and against particular health practices and the willingness of ordinary people to be duped.
The satire here is broad and universal, but Doyle is far more interested in telling a good story than in mounting an attack. When some of the "disciples," especially Eleanor Lightbody, begin to experiment with techniques of "manipulation therapy, " advocated by a rival of Kellogg, the humor enters the realm of the absurd, and when George Kellogg confronts his estranged father, it reaches its peak. Great fun to read and filled with amusing comments on our preoccupation with health, Boyle reminds us that the health industry can ultimately provide "the 'open sesame' to the sucker's purse." n Mary Whipple
utter garbage.......2005-11-16
I didn't find this funny, satirical or humourous in any way. Poor drivel and a waste of time and brain matter.
Wellville & Kellog.......2005-04-09
This is an historical novel about John Kellog, Battle Creek, Michigan, and the wacky health institute he ran there. Kellog comes across as a martinette advocating risky diets and enemas to patients. Boyle can be pretty funny at times as he skewers Kellog and his shinanigans, and, of course, the arm of his satire reaches right up to today and the health fad industry, much of which is just as nutty as anything Kellog was advocating. Besides this novel, other books by Boyle I've read are RIVEN ROCK and WORLD'S END, and I've found that of the three this is the only one that actually tells a story. I did not care for the other two much at all.
Great historic novel on the health movement in the US.......2005-02-27
The Road to Wellville takes the reader to Battle Creek Michigan at the beginning of the 20th century, a place and time where the modern health food and breakfast food industries were born. Two men arrive on a train and we follow their experiences in Battle Creek. Will Lightbody arrives with his wife Eleanor to go to the famous Sanitorium run by John Harvey Kellogg seeking a cure to his digestive problems. Charlie Ossining wants to make it rich quick in the breakfast cereal industry started by Dr. Kellogg's brother William and his competitor C. W. Post.
Although the novel is written in the third person, the reader sees the story evolve through the perspective of these two men. Other characters suffer from this approach, especially the women like Eleanor Lightbody, whom Will and Charlie never seem to understand.
The novel differs from the movie, which remains true to the plot and characterization, in that the novel portrays the inner longings and motivations of these two men, while the movie stresses the visual aspects of what they see and do. This makes the movie both funnier and a bit more removed than the novel.
The historicity of the book is well developed. Most of the people, places and events can be confirmed from the record. This is a great book to read if one is interested in healthy living and wants to know the background of today's health movement.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Tour Guide.......1998-03-07
I feel that the Wilson's Creek Staff Ride and Battlefield Tour represents the best of a type of Civil War literature that is much too rare. Really useful battlefield tour books - books that presuppose an understanding of the battle rather than providing a sketchy overview - are very difficult to find. This remarkable booklet provides numerous maps, both topographical and charting the course of the battle. It provides a concise narrative and timeline of the battle. It provides station by station description of action and helpful evaluation of how each action impacted the battle as a whole. Better yet, the Staff Ride and Battlefield Tour provides lesson plans by which a tour leader can use the battle of Wilson's Creek to illustrate important lessons in military science. The booklet is written with the assumption that both the tour leader and the participants are well educated in military history and have a basic knowledge of the Civil War and the battle. Such topics as command and control, morale, logistics, medical support, and leadership are addressed on the tour. An option for role playing exercises with short bios of major participants is included. The Wilson's Creek Staff Ride and Battlefield Tour is the most handy resource I've seen to support a visit to a Civil War battlefield. My only advice is to wear your fatigues on this tour - you will do some serious bushwhacking.
Book Description
In the summer of 1861, Americans were preoccupied by the question of which states would join the secession movement and which would remain loyal to the Union. This question was most fractious in the border states of Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. In Missouri, it was largely settled at Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, in a contest that is rightly considered the second major battle of the Civil War.
In providing the first in-depth narrative and analysis of this important but largely overlooked battle, William Piston and Richard Hatcher combine a traditional military study of the fighting at Wilson's Creek with an innovative social analysis of the soldiers who participated and the communities that supported them. In particular, they highlight the importance of the soldiers' sense of corporate honor—the desire to uphold the reputation of their hometowns—as a powerful motivator for enlistment, a source of sustenance during the campaign, and a lens through which soldiers evaluated their performance in battle.
Customer Reviews:
great book.......2005-12-06
I can honestly say that i was suprised at the quality of this book. It is the most well written & accurate account of the events leading up to and including the battle of Wilsons Creek that i have ever read.
FULFILLING SOCIAL CONTRACTS with their COMMUNITIES.......2005-01-18
The preface notes "....Wilson's Creek, occurring twenty days after the fighting at Manassas, was the second battle of the Civil War." Nevertheless, as the text observes "Wilson's Creek remains perhaps the least studied major battle of the war."
At the beginning of the Civil War, Missouri was a divided state with a largely pro-Union population; however, there was a significant minority favoring secession also the Governor was pro-secession. The first third of the text covers how both Northern and Southern factions in Missouri and neighboring states recruited and built military units. While Northerners and Southerners had differing motivations for going to war, they were remarkably similar in their commitments as "community pride ran high" and the army volunteer's reputations would become the home folks reputations as well. The volunteers made an unwritten social contract with their communities. These military units had strong community identification so that in their home-towns companies were known by their local designations, for example as Pelican Rifles, in preference to regimental designations such as 3rd Louisiana Company C.
A well researched text covers the efforts of the Northerners and Southerners in Missouri and adjacent states to recruit, equip and train volunteer armies after Fort Sumter was fired on. When Union Captain Nathaniel Lyon was transferred to St. Louis, he began a crusade to rid the state of secessionists thereby further polarizing the state. When Lyon was promoted to brigadier general in sole control of Federal fortunes in Missouri, he began organizing a Federal, but unauthorized, volunteer army. Lyon's attitude and prior experiences directly shaped his conduct in St. Louis, setting in motion a train of events that led to Wilson's Creek. Encouraged by the Governor, the secessionists redoubled their efforts to raise resisting units. The book gives considerable information on the composition of these military units, both Northern and Southern, with brief biographical notes on several of their officers and men.
When Southern General Ben McCulloch learned that Union General Lyon had essentially declared war on Missouri, he immediately began shifting as many troops as possible to southwest Missouri. General Lyon moved to secure northern and central Missouri for the Union and then moved to confront the secessionist armies moving into southwest Missouri. "By mid-July the forces that would fight the second battle of the Civil War were largely in place." The Southern army under McCulloch planned to attack Springfield on August 10, 1861 but rain delayed their departure from the Wilson Creek area. Early on August 10, before McCulloch attacked Springfield, Union General Lyon launched an attack, the final phase of Lyon's "punitive crusade," against Confederate General McCulloch. Lyon thought of himself as anointed to punish the secessionists. Rather than attacking down the road leading to the Southern army, he accepted Union General Sigel proposal that the army be divided with Sigel attacking the Southerners from the rear while Lyon attacked their left flank.
General Lyon attacked shortly after 05:00 A.M. on August 10 in an area later known as Bloody Hill while at 05:30 A.M. Sigel launched what "for its modest size, one of the most effective long range bombardments of the Civil War." The text provides a concise and interesting narrative of the fierce fighting on Bloody Hill and of Sigel's action south of the Southerners. After Sigel was routed, he returned to Springfield. General Lyon was killed during the fighting on Bloody Hill and became one of the war's first martyrs. Command of the Union Army then devolved upon the senior Regular army officer Captain Samuel D. Sturgis. With Union General Sigel routed, ammunition running low, heavy causalities, and the Southerners massing for yet another bloody assault the only logical recourse was to retreat. Therefore, Sturgis and his troops after seven hours of combat, retreated and returned to Springfield arriving around 05:00 P.M.
The book gives an interesting narrative about the level of medical care available to the combatants with graphic descriptions of the conditions in Springfield when the defeated army returned. The authors note "Compared to later Civil War battles, the number of men engaged at Wilson's Creek and the casualties suffered there were modest." However, "....both in total numbers and as a percentage of the force engaged, Lyon's losses were greater than those of any battle in the Mexican War."
As to be expected, early reports of the battle's results were misleading indicating a Northern victory; however, as later information was received a Southern victory was shown. For the combatants on both sides, it was clear that the men had fulfilled their social contract with their communities. Hometown newspapers were quick to proclaim that their community's honor had been upheld and the men were given a heroes welcome upon their return. The authors wrote "All of the men who fought at Wilson's Creek received accolades from their home communities...." In addition, "almost two dozen veterans of Wilson's Creek achieved the rank of general in either the Southern or Northern army."
The book ends noting "The surviving participants of the war shared a heritage of honor regardless of whether they had served in the Federal or Confederate armies." However, for those who had deserted "Having broken the social contract between the community and its soldiers, having disgraced their town, their sins could never be forgotten."
In part, the text does not flow smoothly and in places it is jumbled and run together. However, this book will be of interest to both the serious and occasional reader of Civil War history.
Clash of Communities.......2001-05-02
Piston and Hatcher have produced an excellently detailed overview of the events and participants in the battle and over the surrounding region during the summer of 1861. By beginning with unit histories of the various units engaged, the reader gains a sense of identity with the men who fought and died there. The method itself is excellent, but would be difficult to apply to later engagements in the war. The central argument, that Civil War soldiers were motivated by strong allegiances to their home communities, is well substantiated, but may also be useful only for engagements at the outset of the war. Other authors have successfully shown that this motivation waned, and that national ideology and identity with the adopted community, the unit, sustained men later in the war. The book's major fault is an unbalanced interpretation of events, especially when the leaders of both forces are concerned. Lyon is labeled a madman and Sigel is portrayed as grossly incompetent, while southern commanders are lionized and noticeably escape criticism. The author's assertion that the Missouri State Guard somehow represents a lawful military force evaporates when that same force, guaranteed under the Constitution, raises arms against federal authorities charged with protection of that same Constitution. Overall, the work is excellently researched, especially from local sources, and improved my comprehension of the tragic confrontation.
much a do about little.......2000-10-05
i found this book to be a struggle to read.It is painfully obvious that the authors have attempted to build a minor engagement into something just short of Bull Run and/orGettysburg. They try hard but in my opinion they do noy carry it off.
Wilson's Creek brought to Life.......2000-06-16
I love a book that can pull you into it. This ones certainly does. It's been several years since I toured the battlefield at Wilson's Creek, but Piston and Hatcher do an excellent job in bringing out map details and troop movements that it felt like I was on the battlefield again but this time feeling the intense battle struggle between the two sides. The details on each regiment that fought at Wilson's Creek, North and South, was excellent.
Book Description
In this classic account of the Revolutionary War experiences of the North Carolina Continentals, Hugh F. Rankin traces the events leading to war in North Carolina and follows all the campaigns and battles in which the North Carolina Continentals took part--Brandywine, Germantown, Charleston, Savannah, Camden, Eutaw Springs, and others. He also provides descriptions of almost all of the significant personalities in the Continental Army. Originally published in 1971, this new edition contains a foreword by Lawrence Babits, introducing the book to a new generation of scholars and general readers interested in the Revolutionary War.
Customer Reviews:
Great reference and point of departure.......2006-09-25
This is a great history of NC & the Revolutionary War, not just the NC Continentasls as the tilte implies. Its valuable for researchers of the era in NC, as Rankin's work is based solidly in the archives. It should be noted however that this is a MILITARY study almost exclusively, and has very little to say about the social aspects of the war in NC.
Book Description
Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove were three of the most important battles fought west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. They influenced the course of the first half of the war in that region by shaping Union military efforts while significantly contributing to Confederate defeat. Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove, the first book to provide a detailed guide to these battlefields, takes the visitor step-by-step through the major sites of each engagement. With numerous maps and illustrations that enhance the authors’ descriptions of what happened at each stop, the book also includes analytical accounts explaining tactical problems associated with each battle as well as vignettes evoking for readers the personal experience of those who fought there.
An indispensable companion for the battlefield visitor, this guide offers not only touring information and driving tours of sites associated with the campaigns that led to the battles, but also a brief history of each battle and an overview of the larger strategy and tactics of the military action in which these battles figured.
Average customer rating:
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First Scalp for Custer: The Skirmish at Warbonnet Creek, Nebraska, July 17, 1876 (Bison Book)
Paul L. Hedren
Manufacturer: University of Nebraska Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0803272359 |
Average customer rating:
- Read Between the Lines
- Startling portrait of a controversial, energetic figure
- Fascinating insight into Lyon's character
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Damned Yankee: The Life of General Nathaniel Lyon
Christopher Phillips
Manufacturer: Louisiana State University Press
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Binding: Paperback
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General Sterling Price and the Civil War in the West
ASIN: 0807121037 |
Customer Reviews:
Read Between the Lines.......2007-08-19
This paperback* is useful as a cheap (book can be purchased at a deep discount) means to get an idea of what occurred in Missouri during the first part of the Civil War. Phillip's attempt to psychologically profile General Lyon with today's sensitivities provides the reader with comic relief in this account of some of the darkest days in our history.
*note: one needs to be able to read between the lines of Phillip's politically correct revisionist slant on history.
Startling portrait of a controversial, energetic figure.......2007-07-15
Damned Yankee provides a surprisingly detailed study of the life of U.S. Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon. Author Chistopher Phillips probes deeply into Lyon's background, family, and military career. The product is a fascinating portrait of a determined and disturbing figure.
Nathaniel Lyon seized the initiative in Missouri, never allowing the determined secessionist governor an opportunity to guide the state out of the Union. While Missourians overall desired neutrality and elected secession convention delegates who soundly rejected secession, the elected state government leaned far more Southern than strictly neutral. From the moment of his entry onto the scene in St. Louis, Lyon worked tirelessly to frustrate Southern ambitions on the Federal arsenal. He butted heads with his more passive superiors in St. Louis; and he successfully conspired with various political figures to usurp and replace these impediments to his perceived mission.
Lyon is a unique personage with an intensely individual interpretation of right and wrong. The author's central theme is that Lyon sought to punish those who strayed from what Lyon perceived to be the right path; and the author is effective in presenting his case. Lyon's disagreements with superiors and fellow officers were frequently intense, often to the point of insufferable insubordination. His punishment of subordinates for infractions was also extreme to the point he was successfully court-martialed for excessive punishment.
The events in Lyon's career I found most disturbing related to his sanctioned and authorized reprisal massacres of Native Americans in California. This certainly makes his declaration of war in Missouri far more threatening: "Better, sir, far better, that the blood of every man, woman and child within the limits of the State should flow, than that she should defy the federal government."
As a military commander and organizer, Lyon proved incredibly capable. Here was a commander with the bold aggressiveness of Grant, the self-assured intensity of Forrest, and the discipline of Stonewall Jackson. However, he also possessed huge flaws such as an inability to get along, political inflexibility, and subversive intrigue that likely would have undone him had he not perished at Wilson's Creek. His eccentric and caustic beliefs were likely to produce outrages.
The author does a fine job of presenting the various viewpoints and back and forth of central characters. When he does present his own conclusions though they are not always convincing. The argument that Lyon was the irritant that leading to much of the eventual conflict in Missouri falls particularly flat, as does the pronouncement that without strong Federal action Missouri's pro-Southern governor and government would still have been unsuccessful in their aims.
I'm also highly skeptical of the author's characterization of Lyon's reasoning for fighting at Wilson's Creek as being a punitive crusade. Lyon was right that he must use his force or lose it. He was also correct that if he retreated without a fight he would give the secessionists control of southwest Missouri. I can't fault the logic of forcing an engagement before determining whether or not to retire in such a circumstance.
There are a few errors in the descriptions of events in Lyon's Civil War campaign, but overall they are well presented. I will note that I was disappointed the author did not point out Lyon's quartermaster Justus McKinstry was later successfully court-martialed for his activities in disrupting Union supply. No doubt that would have detracted from the author's case against Lyon's circumventing of a clearly broken supply system in St. Louis.
Despite the above observations about the author overselling points of his case I agree with his central theme. This is a well-researched book and provides a complete profile of Nathaniel Lyon as a soldier and a man.
Fascinating insight into Lyon's character.......1998-05-01
Christopher Phillips provides the reader with a fascinting insight into the character of Nathaniel Lyon. Rarely in reading a biography has the reader come away with such a clear and precise understanding as to what the central character's personality was really like.
By providing this insight into Lyon's character the reader can clearly understand what motivated Lyon to take the actions he took in the troubled 1860's in Missouri. Lyon was a not very likable individual, He brought a zealot's zeal to virtually everything he believed in or did regardless of the conseqences. In the end this zeal brought about his own death. A great read...two thumbs up.
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