Confederacy's military strategy book

May 12, 2015 the confederacys disastrous guerrilla war. However, the decision simplified the confederacys military strategy. Narrated with brisk attention to the nuances of strategyand with measured solemnity over the waste of life in war, it is a groundbreaking work of. In his 2010 book major problems in the civil war, historian michael perman says that historians are of two. For example, i have a goal of hanging a picture above my couch. Gary gallaghers the confederate war, is a short book filled with provocative.

Unrestricted warfare, literally warfare beyond bounds is a book on military strategy written in 1999 by two colonels in the peoples liberation army, qiao liang and wang xiangsui. The prison, officially called camp sumter, was the souths largest prison for captured union. So far as the strategy of the lieutenantgeneral is to be described, it consisted a good deal in fighting the enemy, while localities like richmond, charleston, etc. Lee blundered in with no clear objective, got a bloody nose and. It was the regions quest for western lands that had sparked the conflict. The following chapters explore the themes of popular will, national sentiment, and military strategy during the confederacy s brief existence. A very short introduction is a short and accessible introduction to military strategy, as strategy is thought about and debated in american national security circles today. Winner of the fletcher pratt award for best work of nonfiction about the civil war, the confederacys last hurrah chronicles the destruction of the souths second largest army. The confederacys last hurrah is an outstanding book that combines first rate research with a novelists eye for vivid recreation of the brutal chaos that is battle. In addition to serving as one of mississippis senators, he had served as a west. Echevarria has both the strengths and weaknesses of this class. Both sides claimed to be the legitimate defenders of a genuine southern republicanism and of confederate nationalism, and the conflict between them carried over from the strictly political sphere to matters of military strategy, civil religion, and education.

The american civil war also known by other names was a civil war in the united states from 1861 to 1865, fought between the northern united states loyal to the union and the southern united states that had seceded from the union and formed the confederacy. Robertson, ed military strategy in the american civil. Gallaghers book challenges the nonmilitary historians to come out from behind the barricades once again. It has to involve both the political leadership and military commanders. Describe the confederate military strategy that was. The confederacys political objective and the unions rebuttal 2. Nolan to examine virginia operations in isolation from davis. The confederacys military strategy was only to defend its boundaries to achieve independence and its political strategies were ruling out gradual emancipation or any other law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves.

A military and political history, 18611865 thriftbooks. The souths decision to renounce expansion was ironic. Andersonville was notorious civil warera confederate military prison in andersonville, georgia. Also of great use to the historian is that the book is well documented with the best use of primary material that one will find in a book of this genre.

How the confederate army devisedbut never fully exploited. In his most recent book, such troops as these, bevin offers a fresh and cogent analysis of stonewall jacksons military genius and reveals how the civil war might have ended differently if jacksons strategies had been adopted. The confederate republic university of north carolina. Civil war, donald stoker answers a question that few historians have asked. Library of congress cataloginginpublication data rable, george c. On february 28, 1861, the provisional confederate congress established a provisional volunteer army and gave control over military operations and authority for mustering. Just as the union successfully melded industrial efficiency and military precision to fight and win what some call a modern war, the confederacys failure to use its railroads wisely condemned it to fight and lose a war of the past p. They offer a reading of confederate history substantially at odds with some interpretations that currently hold sway. Wiley sword writes a splendid military history that reads like a novel. Louis postdispatch stokers book on the changing strategies of the military and civilian leaders in the north and south during the conflict casts a fresh light on what remains the most decisive and harrowing war in u.

Books by bevin alexander on military history and military strategy. A recent one that ive enjoyed dipping into is the grand design. The union military strategy for ending the war in 1865 remained much as it had been the previous year, with grant seeking to annihilate lees army and sherman destroying the confederacys ability to wage war. Sep 01, 2008 unsuccessful, he eventually went south where, as the confederacys only full admiral, he helped mold southern naval strategy and took command of both the virginia merrimack in the battle of hampton roads in 1861, and the tennessee in the battle of mobile bay in 1864 when farragut damned the torpedoes. Civilmilitary relations in the confederacy in war and in peace. A cohesive national strategy involves true debate and consideration of all available courses of action. First, government efforts to regulate the guerrillas reveal much about the confederacys military strategy, a topic escott otherwise treats in detail. The confederate strategy was to 1 quickly demoralize the north with fast and frequent victories on northern ground, 2 divide the northern forces led by the army of northern virginia with d. The confederacys last hurrah audiobook by wiley sword. The military strategies adopted by the north and the south during the civil war reflected the political goals that each side was trying to pursue.

Davis devoted most of his waking hours to military strategy and operations, along with commander robert e. The best overview of the northern side of the story with an emphasis on explaining why most civil war campaigns were so indecisive is herman hattaway and archer jones, how the north won. Learn about the different strategies that the union and the confederacy used during the american civil war, and how those strategies reflected. At the beginning of the war, the grand strategy of the confederate states was a defensive strategy. The civil war began primarily as a result of the longstanding controversy over the enslavement of black people. The confederacy s military strategy was only to defend its boundaries to achieve independence and its political strategies were ruling out gradual emancipation or any other law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves. Engines of rebellion, a volume in the alabama series maritime currents. In his book strategy 1960, hart argues that the best approach to win is the indirect approach. By dictionary definition, strategy is the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous circumstances. Most civil war leaders only looked at the prospective battle tactical issues, not at how each individual engagement fitted into a campaign the operational level of war, and how this related to the nations military strategy the methods for prosecuting it. What was the confederacys strategy for winning the war. With hoods army virtually eliminated, thomas forces would be available for combat. In embattled rebel, mcpherson shows us that davis might have been on the wrong side of history, but it is too easy to diminish him because of his causes failure. In a strategy session with some of his military officers, the union president pointed to a map and commented, see what a lot of land these fellows hold, of which vicksburg is the key.

Sep 01, 1997 this is a short book that looks at the civil war through the eyes of the confederate states. Jul 11, 2017 to get a better understanding of how the civil war played out as it did, it is helpful to evaluate the strategies of both the north and the south in the civil war the battles and events that took place were not random encounters or skirmishes but were instead, wellplanned and thoughtout strategies to secure supplies, keep lines of military communication open, prevent wide scale casualties. Describe the confederate military strategy that was executed during the civil war. The first official flag of the confederate states of america called the stars and bars originally had seven stars, representing the first seven states that initially formed the confederacy. Each is accompanied by a later print publication and associated with the third event is military strategy in the civil war. How close was the confederate army to winning the civil. Its primary concern is how a nation such as china can defeat a technologically superior opponent. Every part of escotts thesis could benefit from its inclusion, and two aspects of the guerrilla war seem especially pertinent. A broader understanding of the term encompasses all aspects of waging war both on and off the battlefield including the political, psychological.

Compare the union and confederate military strategies. It will be a useful read for many simply as introduction to the terminology of the modern defense intellectual. Lee, and delegated the economic and diplomatic functions of strategy to his subordinates. Confederacys last hurrah, the wiley sword, tom parks on. The first plank of confederate naval strategy was put in place by jefferson davis. If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support. Liddell hart is often considered one of the foremost mid20th century scholars on military history. What was in central pennsylvania worth destroying a third of the army of northern virginia. Gallagher discusses the confederate side of the war in four specific areas. The current method of differentiating levels of war did not exist during the civil war. Some answered daviss call, but the approach met with immediate problems, not the least of which being that european states had. On the face of it, jefferson davis had the ideal resume for service as the confederacys first chief executive. Bevin alexander is the author of nine books of military history, including. To get a better understanding of how the civil war played out as it did, it is helpful to evaluate the strategies of both the north and the south in the civil war the battles and events that took place were not random encounters or skirmishes but were instead, wellplanned and thoughtout strategies to secure supplies, keep lines of military communication open, prevent wide scale.

The lack of centralized control was a strategic weakness for the confederacy, and there are only a few examples of its. Rather than focusing on battles and campaigns, stoker takes his readers on a fascinating tour of the big picture that offers. The following chapters explore the themes of popular will, national sentiment, and military strategy during the confederacys brief existence. The confederate war should provide good reading for all students of confederate nationalism and will generate lively debate among historians of the american civil war for years to come. The confederacys grip on vicksburg was also being threatened by developments east of the river in west tennessee. Every part of escott s thesis could benefit from its inclusion, and two aspects of the guerrilla war seem especially pertinent. However, the decision simplified the confederacy s military strategy. Sep 20, 2016 an excerpt from williamson murray and wayne weisiang hsiehs new book.

Many americans in jefferson davis own time and in later generations considered him an incompetent leader, if not a traitor. Confederate strategy in the civil war the southern commander at manassas was pierre g. Unsuccessful, he eventually went south where, as the confederacys only full admiral, he helped mold southern naval strategy and took command of both the virginia merrimack in the battle of hampton roads in 1861, and the tennessee in the battle of mobile bay in 1864 when farragut damned the torpedoes. The gettysburg campaign was a strategic dead end to nowhere. Replying to lincolns initial call for volunteers, davis issued a call for privateers, a traditional response of weaker naval powers. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers.

How the civil wars decisive turning point came in a battle that the rebel army never needed to fight. Civil war strategy 18611865 union and confederate strategies. Militaryminded civil war aficionados will find much appeal in the treatment of strategy emphasized in this book. The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the committee on production guidelines for book longevity of the council on library resources. Gallagher draws on contemporary records to examine the will of the southern people, their spirit of nationalism and the military strategy of the confederacy. Feb 24, 2020 its important to remember that the overall strategy grant followed for the final year of the war wasnt entirely his. The confederate states army was the military land force of the confederate states of america. The confederate states army was the military land force of the confederate states of america commonly referred to as the confederacy during the american civil war 18611865, fighting against the united states forces. A military and political history, is a solid survey of its topic but i believe that it adds relatively little to our understanding of the fouryear conflict which is the great turning point in american history. It must look at the ends, ways and means of achieving national strategic objectives as well as the risk entailed in each course of action.

Never before or since in american history have the needs and influence of the military weighed so heavily on society. As more states joined, more stars were added, until the total was two stars were added for the divided states of kentucky and missouri. Professor weigley s current volume, a great civil war. How the confederacy had its greatest chance to win the war just three months. Jan 14, 20 the confederate strategy was to 1 quickly demoralize the north with fast and frequent victories on northern ground, 2 divide the northern forces led by the army of northern virginia with d. Civil military relations in the confederacy is the first work ever to explore the dynamics of an argument that began before the first shots were fired, and which raged to within hours of the surrenders. It is critically important to understand not only how a wars battles were fought, but also why, and it is in this arena of why that. Strategy, operations, and tactics chapter 4 the cambridge.

First, government efforts to regulate the guerrillas reveal much about the confederacy s military strategy, a topic escott otherwise treats in detail. The confederacys strategy on the field was essentially defensive and based upon of the professional superiority of many of its military leaders who, especially in the early phases of the war. In order to understand the civil war and its outcome, it is essential. Describe the confederate military strategy that was executed. This is a short book that looks at the civil war through the eyes of the confederate states. Woodworth argues that the confederacys president played a critical role in formulating military policy in the east. Some answered daviss call, but the approach met with immediate problems, not the least of which being that european states. Swords talent also shines in breathing life into the cast of characters involved, from the generals to the common soldier. From james mcphersons definitive history to tony horwitzs adventures among obsessives, here are the 11 best books on the civil war in time. How popular will, nationalism, and military strategy. How close was the confederate army to winning the civil war. Its important to remember that the overall strategy grant followed for the final year of the war wasnt entirely his.

Professor weigleys current volume, a great civil war. As the title davis and lee at war suggests, steven e. A tactic is a tool one uses to accomplish a goal or meet a strategy. Anyone hoping to appreciate the complexity and nuance of the confederacys own vision of. It took time which infuriated lots of northerners but it did eventually contribute the most to the souths worsening.

Grants strategy to win the war was purely one of offense, according to the book memorial life of gen. An excerpt from williamson murray and wayne weisiang hsiehs new book. The confederate republic university of north carolina press. Nov 08, 2014 on the face of it, jefferson davis had the ideal resume for service as the confederacys first chief executive. It was the region s quest for western lands that had sparked the conflict. Escott analyzes the militarization of life in the confederacy and probes the relationships. History and archaeology, is an immensely valuable book for the technical side of these vessels, and the confederacys industrial mobilization, and also provides some coverage of their operational experience. Beauregard, the dapper, voluble hero of fort sumter, napoleonic in manner and aspiration. Many allege that the confederacy lost the civil war because of internal division or civilian disaffection. Hart died in 1970 but his books on military strategy and strategist remain popular among military historians. Start reading the confederacys last hurrah on your kindle in under a minute.

As laid out in james mcphersons book tried by war, lincoln insisted that confederate armies be attacked, and that confederate c. The historical debates over military strategy have been endless. Narrated with brisk attention to the nuances of strategyand with measured solemnity over the waste of life in war, it is a groundbreaking work of scholarship told. It consisted of a massive naval blockade of southern ports combined with army actions that sealed the confederacys western borders. The astonishing story of the longest and most decisive military campaign of the civil war in vicksburg, mississippi, which opened the mississippi river, split the confederacy, freed tens of thousands of slaves, and made ulysses s. To the booksoldier all order seems destroyed, months of drill. The cambridge history of the american civil war edited by aaron. The fourteen volumes of bevin alexander cover a vast range of military history and military strategy.

The book is written with excellent prose and an obvious love for the topic. Jefferson davis and the confederate civil war by james m. Strategy is sometimes defined as the art of the general while webster defines it as the science and and art of conducting a military campaign in its largescale and longterm aspects. Books by bevin alexander on military history and military. Rather than a blowbyblow account of battles and operations, it describes the strategic objectives of north and south and how civilian and military leaders tried to realize them. The confederacy initially implemented a cordon strategy or cordon defense, meaning.