Forrest Fight Continues in Memphis MEMPHIS, Tenn.—The legal County Chancery Court over a clash over the Forrest Equestrian multitude of issues and crimes Statue in Memphis stretches that they say were committed on, as the Sons of Confederate by the City and Greenspace in Veterans and the Forrest Family the same illegal removal of the Descendants jointly battle in statues. The Forrest monument court against the City of Memphis itself raises unique issues in and their nonprofit company, that the statue is the headstone Memphis Greenspace. In August of the graves of General N.B. 2019, the N.B. Forrest Camp Forrest and his wife MaryAnn 215 SCV filed an appeal to the Montgomery Forrest, who are Tennessee Supreme Court over entombed beneath the pedestal of the illegal taking of the Forrest the monument. This fact makes Statue and two other statues from the statue a headstone under Memphis parks in December common law and Tennessee law. 2017. Likewise, the Forrest The Forrest Camp and the Forrest Family¸ the five great-great- Family note several errors in th grandsons of Nathan Bedford lower court ruling that the sale Forrest, has filed a suit in Shelby the parks was legal, countering
Base of Forrest monument after removal of statue. It’s Affordable, Readable, Portable, Quotab Shareable, Clippable and Recyclable Just open and browse - in print or digita Give monthly news, photos, columns, ads, book reviews, news briefs and more
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that the sales were not legal, in particular, point out that lower court never ruled on the cemetery issue. In 2017, on Wednesday, December 20, the City of
public parks to a newly organi nonprofit, Memphis Greenspace,
profit organization was led by elected official, Shelby Count Commissioner and attorney Van Turner, who that night brought in cranes to remove Confederat statues of General Nathan Bedford Forrest, Presi Jefferson Davis, and Captain J Harvey Mathes, along with othe
historical markers referring to War Between the States. The Memphis City Council unanimously approved these actions, which were signed into action by Mayor Jim Strickland. This ruling was explicitly made to circumvent the October 13, 2017, ruling by the Tennessee Historical Commission that forbade the city of Memphis from removing the Confederate statues from the parks deemed as public property. Thus, the city mad a sale to Memphis Greenspace, turning the public property to private for a total sales price
state law. The Sons of Confederate Veterans then sued the city of Memphis and Memphis Greenspace for violation of the Tennessee Historic Preservation Act. The SCV lost in chancery court and then again in the Tennessee Court of Appeals. As the Forrest Camp and Family pointed out in the appeal to the state Supreme Court the Forrest Monument/headstone is covered by Family Burial Law and the Tennessee Cemetery Act, both of which prohibit the removal of a headstone. Desecration of a gravesite is a felony under stat law. The lower courts ignored these statutes. In addition, the mayor signed the land sale deeds on December 15, 2017, five days before the city council met to a thorize a sale—thus violating th city charter and making the sale invalid as ultra vires. Memphis Greenspace claims that the statues are currently
ysis of the latest and most signi arship. Contact Stephen Davis, Ci
Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era, 1848–1865. Bibliography, endnotes, index, 439 pp., 2019. Northwood
At first glance, Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era, 1848–1865 resembles what used to be called a “coffee table” boo back in the days when people who treasured books would often place large attractive illust ed volumes on their living room coffee tables for guests to perus while they were waiting for the percolator to perk. Although abundantly illustrated with outstanding photographs and artwork, this book is, however, much more than a “coffee table” volume. It is, in fact, a de itive scholarly work on the subject by Roy Marcot, Edward W. Marron Jr. and Ron Paxton, with vital assistance by the late Joe Poyer, all noted firearms history specialists. The authors had over a dozen experts in various histor ical areas review the manuscript before publication to assure that the work met the most rigorous standards of scholarship.
r readers with timely analCivil War research and scholNews Book Review Editor.
This book, one of a proposed four-volume series on Sharps firearms, has been endorsed by the American Society of Arms Collectors as “a definitive work on the history of this iconic American arm of the 19th Century” and the Sharps Collectors Association as “the new and definitive standard of Sharps firearms research, reference and history.” The American
Society of Arms Collectors saw the work as such an important and essential volume that it provided the authors with a publication grant. Beginning with photographs of Christian Sharps’ original pat ent model, the authors, using invaluable primary sources, proceed to provide what is indeed the definitive account to date, a most likely forever, of the iconic American breechloader. Every percussion version of the Sharps is covered in incredible detail, with text and illustrations, from the original patent model of the gun through the 1849 and 1850 sporting rifles and the 1851 military carbine to the 1863 New Model carbines and rifles. The authors provide a separate narrative for each percussio variant, from conception to production and use in the field, and each chapter has abundant endnotes for further reference. It i not often that I can declare a pu lication the last word on a histo ic subject, but Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era, 1848–1865 certainly merits that designation It is and will remain the “go to” book on the Sharps from its inception through the Civil War era and belongs on the bookshelf of any collector or historian of the era. I cannot recommend it high-
Joe Bilby writes the regular “Bla Powder White Smoke” page for
The Laws of “Civilized” Warfare The Calculus of Violence: How Americans Fought the Civil War. By Aaron SheehanDean. Notes, illustrations, index, 465 pp., 2018. Harvard
Most authorities today accept the figure of 750,000 American soldiers who died in the Civil War, based on J. David Hacker’s
seminal article in Civil War History, 2011. Many similarly accept James M. McPherson’s estimate of 50,000 war-related civilian deaths (Battle Cry o Freedom, 1988). Yet the American Civil War could have been a lot deadlier, Aaron Sheehan-Dean argues in his new, thought-stirring study, The Calculus of Violence: How Americans Fought the Civil War. One of his most enlightening points is to place our conflict global context. Twenty million people died in China’s Taiping Rebellion of 1850–64; Mexico’s Caste War of the Yucatan killed 35 percent of the area’s population. Instead, if you posi the 1860 U.S. population as 31 ½ million, the war-related death toll of 800,000 places American mortality, 1861–1865, at less than 3%—far less harsh, by international context. This comparatively lower death toll resulted, as Professo Sheehan-Dean elaborates, from both North and South agreeing to fight a war restrained by accept ed international norms—indeed, the laws of “civilized” warfare. This meant treating captured enemy soldiers as prisoners of war (and not hanging them), not war-
ring against hostile civilians a (with some notable exceptions)
respecting their property. As we know, lethal violence
sprang out of control, according to the author, due to several un
rk the war, chief among them: 1) Confederates’ acceptance of guerrilla warfare in Unionoccupied territory or areas of di vided loyalties; and 2) Northern emancipation policy and use of African American soldiers. There was another factor, though, one that I find the most interesting: how the two sides characterized their own war efforts and principles, and how they characterized the enemy. Opinion leaders on both sides— politicians, ministers, editors— cast their causes as righteous, castigated their enemies as savage barbarians, and viewed them-
selves as noble victims. “On both sides,” the author asserts, “peop espoused a greater sense of mor-
al virtue as the war progressed.” Another way of looking at it (and here again I’m borrowing from
New 392 page, full-color bo Civil War Artillery Projectil The Half Shell Book. For more information and ho
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McPherson’s writing), each side saw itself as fighting for a vi of American values—they just defined those values differentl Back in 1991, Ted Turner’s film Gettysburg had a marketing slogan: “Same land, same God, different dreams.” You could ad to that, same mode of justifyin war.
Stephen Davis’ new b 100 Significant Civil Photographs—Atlanta Campaign, features the work of George Barnard (1819–1902). Since its
publication this past July, Ste has spoken on Barnard at the Lincoln-Davis Civil War Round
Table at Chicago and the Housto Civil War Round Table. He’ll al discussing Barnardiana this com ing spring at the Kentucky Civi War Round Table in Lexington.
tionary War, Civil War to World color throughout the entire mag
A Superb Contribution to the Lit Faces of Union Soldiers at Antietam. By Joseph Stahl and Matthew Borders. Annotations, bibliography, illustrations, map 192 pp., 2019. The History Press
Certified Antietam Battlefield Guides Joseph Stahl and Matthew Borders have found a creative way to publish fresh material on a topic which has been thoroughly covered by others. If you think that you’ve read enough about the battle of Antietam suc
In Memoriam: James I. “Bud” Rob “History is the greatest teac er you will ever have,” James I. “Bud” Robertson Jr. often told his students. If history is the greatest teacher, many of them might have argued, then he was the second greatest. Robertson, Al Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at Virginia Tech, die on Nov. 2 after a long illness. was 89 years old. Robertson used vivid stories to bring the American Civil War to life not just for generations of Virginia Tech students, but also for millions across the world through his award-winning books, frequent television appearances, popular radio essays, and passionate advocacy of history. Dr. Bud, as he liked to be called, grew up poor near the train tracks in Danville, Virgin with dreams of becoming a railroad engineer. Yet when he asked for a railroad job at the age of the yardmaster, who knew him well, told him to go to college first. The rest is literally his Robertson went on to earn a bachelor’s in history from Randolph-Macon College and a master’s degree and doctorate, also in history, from Emory
An Old Wrong Righted that nothing new can be learned, this book should cause you to reconsider. Using Stahl’s extensive collection of carte de visit photographs purchased by Union soldiers, the authors have turned out a reasonably-priced book which any student of Antietam will want. Stahl and Borders have selected these artifacts for thirty-six Union soldiers who served in the battle of September 17, 1862. None are familiar figures. Thirty five served in infantry regiments and one in a field artillery batt The book is cleverly organized in six chapters, each focusing on a geographic sector in a generally north-to-south sequence: the Cornfield, the East Woods, the West Woods, the Sunken Road, Burnside’s Bridge, and the Final Attack. Although Union General George McClellan’s plan was for simultaneous coordinated attacks, that plan fell apart and t result is that the authors’ geographic sequence also neatly fits the battle’s chronology. Six soldiers are selected for each chapter. Each chapter begins with a brief description of the a tion on that part of the field, a companied by an excellent map prepared by Bradley Gottfried
r. University. During the 100th anniversary of the Civil War, President John F. Kennedy asked Robertson to serve as executive director of the United States Civil War Centennial Commission. At the time, the committee was foundering under the pressure of both the emerging civil rights movement and regional differences. Robertson used his diplomatic talents to shepherd 34 state and 100 local centennial committees into organizing a successful and dignified commemoration. During his 44 years at the university, he taught more than 25,000 Virginia Tech students. In several instances, he ended up teaching three generations of the same families. “Dr. Robertson was a remarkable person who shared his life and gifts with so many,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “His service to the nation the commonwealth, his profession, and the Virginia Tech community is unparalleled. We are incredibly fortunate to have had the great benefit of his talents so many years. May we carry Dr. Robertson’s passion for discovery and spirit of service forward in his honor.”
and used in his Maps of Antietam book. Each soldier’s carte de visite is then published (front and back). The text contains a brief history of his unit and its origin its actions in the battle; a brief biography of the soldier and, if known, his specific experiences at Antietam; as well as, finally, a highly detailed analysis of his uniform and accoutrements depicted in the photograph, including deductions as to when it was taken if the date is unknown. The book concludes with an appendix that contains the battle report of each represented unit in the Official Records if one was prepared. The authors have made extensive use of published and archival primary sources for their research and the annotations in the endnotes are comprehensive. They also furnish brief summaries of the campaign both before and after the battle. This book is a superb contribution to the literature on Antietam Its unique approach makes it a nice supplement to the growing number of works covering the battle. The geographic sequence, with its coincident chronology, gives the text a narrative quality which might otherwise be absent. As noted, none of these soldiers are familiar faces. That said, a few subsequently attained brevet ranks of brigadier general or major general. One was mortally wounded at the battle, dying in November 1862. The soldiers’ subsequent experiences in the war displayed heroism, in a few instances questionable conduct, and in some cases the all-too-frequent debilitation or death due to disease. The soldiers shown are from thirteen New York units; seven Massachusetts units; four each from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; two from Ohio; and one each from Rhode Island and Maryland. The authors and the publisher should be credited with a nice achievement here. If there is a way to calculate “value per page,” this book is in a top ranking. It is strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in the battle of Antietam.
John Foskett is a practicing attorney in Boston with a life-long interest in the Civil War. He is descended from Isaac Foskett, who served for three years in the Engineer Battalion with the Army of the Potomac. In addition to numerous reviews of books covering a variety of Civil War topics, he has done Civil War Roundtable presentations on the subject of Civil War field artillery tactics.
Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America. By W. Caleb McDaniel. Illustrations, dex, notes, 340 pp., 2019. Oxfo
The genesis of this book sta ed as an interview by reporter Lafcadio Hearn writing for the Ripley Bee newspaper. He interviewed Henrietta Wood in 1876 about her experience as a forme slave, free resident of Ohio, a then again a slave in Kentucky, Mississippi and Texas. What is unique about this slave narrati is the lawsuit seeking damages from Zebulon Ward, the man she held responsible for kidnapping and selling her. After years of gal maneuvering, Henrietta was
during her second captivity—the largest restitution ever won by former slave for an illegal abd tion. This princely sum allowed Henrietta and her son to move t Chicago, buy a home, and send her son to law school. W. Caleb McDaniel’s well-researched and annotated story of Henrietta’s life goes beyond th typical narrative of a slave’s perience. Within her story, he weaves several connected themes that place her story in the con text of the social and cultural milieu of both antebellum and
Reconstruction America. He clearly details the story of her abductor Zebulon Ward’s rise to multimillion dollar entrepreneur through slave trading, running the South’s contract prison systems and thoroughbred horse racing. Thus he creates a vivid contrast between the struggles of free blacks in the Civil War era, as well as with Redeemers in Reconstruction America, and the ease with which white Southerners relied on State Rights and scant federal intervention to rebuild a society where skin color still determined social acceptance and reward. Finally, the author recognizes the inability to confirm many details in Henrietta’s slave narra tive due to the paucity of public records as well as the enforced silence of both slave owners and the judicial system. Newspaper accounts sensationalized slave narratives to satisfy readers’ desire for lurid details and frequen ly could not authenticate names, dates or experiences. They simply added “fake news” where appropriate to sell their papers. Ye in today’s society, where the topic of racism is raised almost dail Henrietta’s story of her extraordi nary tenacity in the face of legal and social roadblocks remains a standard by which society’s quest for equality can be measured. McDaniel’s narrative is a well-written story, superbly annotated to sources objective in their presentation of disputable facts and memories. It is notable for raising historical issues still unresolved today. For the historian, the book’s price of
while. Moreover, the story raises substantial avenues for further research.
Wayne L. Wolf is Professor Emeritus at South Suburban College and the author of numerous Civil War texts and articles. His current research involves discovering and publishing previously unknown solders’ letters which highlight the experiences of the common soldier.
liography, index, 217 pp., 2019. McFarland & Company, Inc.,
This British author of five books captures not only the Confederacy’s relationship with Britain, but also the time when Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of the Southern ports. Union Navy Secretary Gideon Welles had advocated a “federal mandate,”
simply closing Southern ports on the theory that a country could
not blockade itself. A “blockade would be bound up by legal defi-
Treaty of Paris. Lord Lyons, Britain’s ministe to Washington, pondered the effect of his country acknowledging “the Southern Confederacy as a de facto sovereign state.” Thi implied the possible conferring of power to raise foreign loans and purchase supplies from neutral nations. While clarificatio were initially sought of its val ity, “the president had declared blockade, therefore there was a blockade, even though there was
a shortage of ships to maintain it.” In McKenna’s work readers are given a fascinating and in-depth look into the world of Britain’s political and power brokers, the contracts and contractors, and their “relationships” with the Confederacy. Also considered is the importance of the cotton tra along with the smart and daring seafarers aboard the hundreds of
blockade-running ships. As confusion at first reigned across t
Atlantic, it soon became clear t great profits could be made by i
loans floated, shipbuilding, and transshipments of a truly stagger
ing amount of essential supplies for the Confederacy. The game was on for profits, and prizes. The book is loaded with interesting facts. For example, the steamer Fingal, carrying 5,000 Enfield rifles and armed with two 4-½ inch rifled guns and two stee boat guns, became the first ship to run the blockade. Unlike the tons of vessels to follow, it fle the British flag. Within a week o the blockade’s proclamation, two other British ships evaded capture and sailed unimpeded into
Charleston. Among lords and leaders, shipbuilders and shippers, bankers and businessmen of note, agents congregating in Liverpool and elsewhere, there was deli-
the Confederate Navy’s man in Europe, James Dunwoody Bulloch. Born near Savannah, he became a USN midshipman at age 16, but like numerous others he resigned and returned to the South. Ordered to Europe, he processed an astonishing number of production orders for the Confederacy. Read all about him. Lastly, McKenna devotes a full
fifty pages to the ships that ran the blockade—names and de-
scriptive details that make for i teresting reading. Altogether thi
blockade runners’ efforts to arrive at the major Southern ports with their precious cargo. British Blockade Runners reads like a nine-chapter adventure novel with spies, surveillance and skullduggery. Of course, the main story involves daring exploits of the blockading and the blockade-running ship captains—but it’s true. The author’s information is gleaned from many sources, including the U.S. Official Records, British nationa
and regional newspaper reports, the British National Archives and various books. Indeed, even the Chapter Notes make for an illuminating read, whatever one’s side may be in the conflict.
Joan Wenner, J.D. is a longtime has been published in numerous history publications. Presently r
siding in once-blockaded eastern North Carolina, her special inter
ests are naval operations and mil itary courts of inquiry. Contact
