our readers with timely ficant Civil War research an
1861–1865. From January 8, 1961 to June 6, 1965, the comic stri Old Glory was published in t Chicago Tribune and its affi newspapers every Sunday in t color comics section. Even though there were ot Civil War comics produced during the Centennial, most notably by Classics Illustra these were primarily comic books; making Suhs’ undertak even more impressive. He has found and collecte into this one volume all 230 Sunday color strips from the Tribune papers and published them in chronological order; history of the Civil War thr
comics. Suhs, from Oak Lawn, Ill., was Director of Recrea for the Oak Brook Park Schoo
District. He received his BA Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The strips were drawn by Fletcher (1916–1983). Alon with writer Athena Robbins (1902-–1996), the duo litera illustrated the Civil War fo
“The strip reflected the scope reader is also told the story of the is shown at Vicksburg, in 1863, of war’s history as understood blockade runners and their use of wearing the shoulder straps of a during the time of its initial anthracite coal, because it burned lieutenant general (3 stars) (139), publication.” (2) Other than with little smoke. (116) Small rather those of a major general (2 some slight page yellowing the events are even mentioned such stars). He would not be given his colors in the panels hold up quite as the burning of the Confederate third star until March 1864. well considering the first strip dry dock at Pensacola Bay. (51) appeared over 60 years ago. Old Glory at the Crossroads surrender of the CSS Each Sunday strip was is a product of the time in which in England in November 1865. “published, as close as possible, to it was drawn, reflecting, no (243) the dates of the actual events one doubt, the prevailing attitudes of hundred years prior.” (2) Every those years. It probably should recommending Old Glory at the page in this volume constitutes not be surprising, then, that Crossroads to anyone interested a Sunday’s strip. There are 5 or there is no mention of African in the Civil War, cartoons, or just 6 panels on each page. The date American troops at all; not at a rousing pictorial of the war.
on which that strip was published the attack on Fort Wagner (149), Baby Boomers of the 1950’s during the Centennial appears at nor the Crater. (203) The terms and 60’s will get a nostalgic kick the bottom of each page. As a “Redskin,” “Warrior,” “Indians,” from the look and style of these teaser, at the end of each strip, and “Braves” are also used freely comic strips.
there is a peek at what to expect in telling the Civil War story. in the next Sunday edition (“Next It is a credit to Fletcher and Gregory S. Sweatt Week: Jackson’s Surprise!”). Robbins that they were able to BA in art from the University (131) The book is divided into cover as much of the war as they of California at Davis. He has five chapters, 1861–1865. did with their illustrations and written for Civil War Artistically Fletcher’s cartoons text in 230 Sundays. It is puzzling, Civil War Courier, Camp Chase are on a level with the finally however, to note the absence of Gazette, and Sea Classics drawn characters in Hal Foster’s any mention of the Emancipation Magazine. His interest in the Prince Valiant comics. The Proclamation, the Gettysburg Civil War began in 1959 with the historical figures are drawn with Address, or even the rejection of Centennial. Now retired from a careful accuracy. The attention Sherman’s surrender terms to Joe job as a wholesale paper sales to detail is quite good. One can Johnston, as these would seem to rep, he has been drawing a Civil look at the characters and identify be major events of the war. Also, War-themed cartoon, Co. A, who they represent: Grant, Lee, although a minor glitch, Grant since 2003. McClellan, Stuart, Bragg, even Raphael Semmes and Benjamin Grierson. As true to form as the soldiers are drawn, though, it is Visit our new website at: interesting to note that, much like the soldiers in Currier and Ives
also quite detailed. Robbins’ writing is thorough. It takes 14 – Securely pages of strips to bring the reader from 1860, when with President Buchanan was hoping “for a DAVIS & MELTON 1 peaceful settlement of the nation’s problems”) (9) to the surrender of CHARLESTON Fort Sumter. (22) Along the way IN THE WAR the illustrations and text cover, among other events, the repulse 100 Significant Civil War Photographs: Charlest in the War features newly restored images of of the supply ship Star CHARLESTON IN THE includeWAR scenes in the famed city, taken 1860–1865. of the The cameramen the better-k West from Sumter; the secession as GeorgeCharleston 100 Significant Civil War Photographs: restored images of scenes in the as famed somecity, N. Barnard lesser-known in and George the War taken 1860–1865. S featur ones: Samue of South Carolina, Mississippi, Charles Quinby, the partners Haas & Peale, The cameramen include the better-known, such as George N. Barnard and George S. Cook, as well as some Osborn & Durbec. lesser-known ones: Samuel Cooley, Cha Louisiana, and Florida;Quinby, the the partners Haas & Peale, Text Osborn accompanies & Durbec.Davis and Jack Melton by Stephen Text by Stephen Davis and Jack Melton accompanies eachfeatured each featured phot surrender of Fort Pulaski; thea variety of settings: describing the pictured scenesdescribing images depict the surrounding and the history that portion surrounding pictured scenes them. ofThe Charleston selected an them. The known
im election of Jefferson Davis; the Battery, the “Burnt District” variety (the areaofof settings: the city destroyed by the Gr that portion
of December 1861), the Charleston Arsenal, and the many churches known as The Battery, the “Burnt District” (the Charlestonians to call theirs “the Holy City.” Special sections of this book are surrender of the Federal arsenal area of the city destroyed by the Great Fire of devoted to the huge Blakely guns imported from England by the Confederates and close-ups of Barnard’s views. December 1861), the Charleston Arsenal, and in San Antonio; and Lincoln’s the many churches that allow Charlestonians to The history of Civil War Charleston goes back call theirs “the The Defense to Holy City.” of Charlesto Special s (1890) by John Johnson, Confederate major of engineers, and to Reminiscences of book are devoted to the huge Blakely guns inauguration. The destruction Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-’61 (1876) by Capt. Abner Doubleday, Federal second-in-command. Since then imported from England Charlestonians by the Confed have contributed to t of their city, notably Robert N.close-ups Rosen andof Barnard’s views.III. The of the Gosport Naval Base is Richard W. Hatcher text surrounding 100 Significant Photographs draws on these and other works. A unique feature is its reliance upon the writings of actual participants, such concisely detailed in 6 panels Augustine T.in Smythe (1842–1914) and Emma Edwards Holmes (1838–1910). The history of Civil War As a contribution to this literature, 100 Significant CivilCharleston War the May 7, 1961, Tribune edition. Photographs: Charleston in theThe WarDefense Johnson, of Charleston offers rewards Confederate from the casual novice to the serious student. Harbor (189 for all readers, major of engi Secondary figures in the Civil Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-’61 (1876) by Capt. Abner Doubleday, War are touched upon, if only Federal second-in-command. Since then Charlestonians have contributed to the history briefly. We get a glimpse of of their city, notably Robert N. Rosen and Richard W. Hatcher III. The historical text Rose Greenhow, Clara Barton, surrounding 100 Significant Photographs draws on these and other works. A unique feature is i Belle Boyd, Sally Tomkins, John reliance upon the writings of actual participan such as Augustine T. Smythe (1842–1914) and Emma Edwards Holmes (1838–1910). Charles Fremont, and “Wild Bill” As a contribution to this literature, 100 Hickok to name a few. Even Significant Civil War Photographs: Charleston i the War offers rewards for all readers, from th “Old Abe,” the eagle mascot of casual novice to the serious student. 160 pages, Over 100 Photos, Maps, the 8th Wisconsin, is given his Index, Bibliography, Softcover. due. Major battles are, of course, ISBN: 978-1-61850-167-7
At approximately 3 p.m. on the steamy afternoon of July 3, 1863, more than twelve thousand Confederates of the Army of Northern Virginia, the divisions of Generals J. Johnston Pettigre George E. Pickett, and Isaac Trimble, emerged from their tree covered positions near Seminary Ridge, formed battle lines, and advanced over open terrain towar the Union troops along Cemetery Ridge. Less than an hour later, the entire force was in full ret leaving behind five thousand casualties. Lee’s grand assault, the climactic event of the three day Battle of Gettysburg, had failed. For more than 150 years, historians have treated the batt the defining event of the Civil Hundreds of books and articles have dissected those three days July in minute detail. Gettysbur Three Days That Saved the United States; Remembering the Civil War’s Most Decisive Battle fills the need for a basic guide book and introduction to the battle f casual readers and young learner who are just discovering the Civ War. This commemorative book has been produced in a magazine
format, which suits the miniarticles, maps, and illustration
contained within. Indeed, the booklet is lavishly illustrated and packed with photographs
from both the modern and Civil War eras. It begins with a brief description of the battle, October 2022
ignificantly Flawed Colonel followed by a short analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the army commanders, Generals Robert E. Lee and George G. Meade. Readers are then treated to infographics and a detailed timeline similar to what one would find in a museum exhibit. The work also includes an informative section on Lincoln at Gettysburg, with his famous address, as well as interesting unusual parts, such as an articl on William Corby, a Catholic, Union chaplain. The author even provides a nice overview of Civil War medicine and the devastating effects on the human body inflicted by the War’s weaponry. Again, illustrations and pictures similar to a museum display bring medical artifacts and the grim reality of war to the reader. Another important article highlights Jubal Early and the infamy surrounding his decision not to advance late on the evening of July 1 after the stunning Confederate success of the day. Nussbaum also added an excerpt from African American Faces of the Civil War: An Album of Union Soldiers and Their Stories (Johns Hopkins, 2012) by Ronald S. Coddington, which discusses Alexander Newton’s st Newton, a free black, traveled with a New York National Guard Infantry unit that just avoided battle. Following passage of the Emancipation Proclamation and a series of Congressional acts enabling black men to serve in t U.S. Army, he eventually joined the Twenty-Ninth Connecticut Infantry in 1863 and served unti war’s end. Death and memorialization are covered in a short piece on the origins of Memorial Day and the captivating story of Amos Humiston, a dead Union soldier found after the battle clutching a photograph of his children. Humiston was unknown at the time, and a search for his identity and family swept the North following the battle. The article was written by Mark H. Dunkelman, who wrote a large work on Humiston entitled, Gettysburg’s Unknown Soldier: The Life, Death, and Celebrity o Amos Humiston (Praeger, 1999).
The volume also incorporates sections on reenact
battlefield preservation efforts the numerous monuments, and
Some more useful and important aspects of the volume are the sections on traveling
to Gettysburg and touring the battlefield, as well as a list of further resources for the reader who wants to know more. In fact, the booklet is best used as a guidebook or introduction to the battle. It has limited use to professional historians except as a text for courses in public history or historical memory, where it could serve as the basis for discussion on how historians present the past to a public. The only serious criticism is that, regardless of the book’s title and some of its rhetoric, Gettysburg is not the most decisive battle of the war. Since the 1960s, Civil War historians have increasingly come to three general conclusions that invalidate such a claim. First, t war in the Western Theater was critical if not decisive in break the Confederacy’s ability to continue the war. The Rebels simply lost too much manpower, resources, and territory to invading Federal armies as the Western Theater slowly collapsed, exposing the Southern population and infrastructure. Second, the Confederate hightide or closest point to a milita victory in the war came with the two serendipitous invasions of Border States, Kentucky and Maryland, in 1862. Had these campaigns ended with Rebel victories, European recognition of the Confederacy could possibly have altered the course of the wa Third, the 1864 campaigns in both the Western and Eastern Theaters were far more decisive to the War’s outcome because of the implications of the 1864 United States presidential election. Indeed, the Confederacy fought on two years after the defeat at Gettysburg, and had Lee won the engagement in Pennsylvania in 1863, it is unlikely his army cou have done more than recuperate and continue to forage before another Federal attempt to force him back to the Confederacy. His force was far too weak to take, let alone occupy, a major Federal city. In reality, the best Lee co hope for was a battlefield victor that would eventually lead to Republican defeat in the 1864 elections. Still, the book remain an excellent guide for the novice
John D. Fowler, Ph.D., is the author of several books and
He is the author of Breaking the Heartland: The Civil War
in Georgia. He is currently a Professor of History at Dalton State College.
James Montgomery: Abolitionist Warrior. By Robert C. Connor, Illustrated, Bibliography, Index,
Robert Conner pens a fairly objective biography of James Montgomery, the abolitionist colonel demonized for burning Darien, Ga., in the movie Glory. Known as the “fighting preacher” and the “Guerrilla Chieftain,” Montgomery believed a Civil War to free slaves was both inevitable and justified. An ardent abolitionist, he fashioned himself the leader of civil and military affairs in southeast Kansas, where he and h family lived in what was dubbed Fort Montgomery. He had some justification for fortifying his home as jayhawkers frequently raided homes during and prior to the Civil War. Montgomery used some atrocities perpetrated by these border ruffians to justify depredations against Confederate sympathizers and Southe homes, mills, crops, and barns. Thus, he felt authorized to exec five persons near Morristown, Mo., in 1861 in retribution for jayhawker attacks on Union homes. Montgomery’s war record was equally controversial. He was one of the early officers to lea black troops, actively recruited them, and frequently led raids
behind enemy lines to encourage slaves to desert plantations, a attribute of economic warfare he felt would cripple the South capacity to wage war. In one of his most successful raids near the Combahee River, he freed over 756 slaves but was also censured for burning civilian homes. As commander of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, he summarily shot a soldier for desertion without the formality of a court martia Militarily, however, he was generally praised by his superi for bravery under fire, shaping his black soldiers into cohesiv fighting units, and leading the personally in major engagements at Westport and Olustee, as wel as numerous forays against Gen. Sterling Price’s campaign to secure Missouri for the Confederacy. He resigned his commission in September 1864 due to ill health but rejoined militia units after a short absence as colonel of troops trying to dri Confederates out of Kansas and Northwestern Missouri. He then returned to his farm in Linn County and raised crops while preaching on the weekends for the First Day Adventist Church. He was, by all accounts, a charismatic preacher who drew people to his sermons as he had drawn soldiers to enlist to end slavery. The author is objective in pointing out atrocities perpetr by Montgomery as well as how his virulent abolitionist views overtook his moral judgment and his abrogation of civilized rules of warfare. If the histor wishes to read a biography of a radical abolitionist who placed his own views above morality and decency, this book will be appealing. It is well researche readable, and histori accurate.
Dr. Wayne L. Wolf is Professor Emeritus a South Suburban College, past president of the Lincoln-Davis Civil War Roundtable, and the author of numerous books and articles on the Civil War and the common soldier.
Enlightening Anthology about the Old Line State The Civil War in Maryland Reconsidered. Edited by Charle W. Mitchell and Jean H. Baker. Notes, index, 352 pp., 2021. Louisiana State University Pre
In their ten-volume biograph of President Abraham Lincoln, John Hay and John Nicolay, Lincoln’s former pr secretaries, offered perspectives about Maryland’s importance to the Union war effort. Among all border state Hay and Nicolay argued, none was of “more immediate and vital importance” than Marylan The state Lincoln’s biographer characterized as “divided by sharp antagonism” has proven fertile ground for historians. collection of thirteen essays, written by a cadre of fine sch and ably edited, makes a valua contribution to the scholarshi the Old Line State.
The editors of this outstand anthology, Charles W. Mitchell and Jean Baker, promise that the essays aim to “bridge the gap between older versions of Maryland’s Civil War history… break fresh ground… challenge long-held assumptions” and “provide new perspectives on o debates.” All the essays in th collection, deeply researched smartly crafted, help achieve
immediate wake. This group of essays not only provides a fresh analysis of the complexities of life for Maryland’s enslaved people and the tenuous nature of freedom, but resurrects the live of individuals long-forgotten. F example, Richard Bell, professor of history at the University of Maryland, revives the story of Rachel Parker, a seventeenyear-old free black woman from Pennsylvania abducted by Thomas McCreary to be sold into slavery in Baltimore. Other essays bring clarity to extent of Confederate loyalty in Maryland. For example, Charles Mitchell’s essay systematically dismantles the idea that support for the Confederacy was significant in Maryland. Mitchel cogently lays out the widespread extent of Unionist sentiment in Maryland and illuminates how advocates of the Lost Cause greatly exaggerated pockets of support for the Confederacy to create the illusion of an ardent pro-Confederate Maryland Timothy Orr’s insight examination of recruitment of Union soldiers in Baltimore also challenges this notion. While all essays in this volu enrich understanding of the Civi War in Maryland they also serve as case studies to deepen our knowledge of the Civil War era. For instance, Brian Matthew Jordan’s elegantly craf narrative about Union soldiers’ encounters with dead after the Battle of Antietam, not only enhances the historiography of the conflict’s bloodiest singleday, but Jordan’s cogent analysi of primary accounts establishes
an important framework for comprehending how soldiers coped with the tragic scenes of battle’s aftermath. Furthermore, Jordan’s essay illuminates how encounters with the dead steeled the resolve of Union soldiers to continue the fight. Similarly Jonathan White’s outstanding essay, “Achieving Emancipation in Maryland,” offers insight not only into the intricacies of the
push for a new constitution in Maryland, one that abolished
related to voting rights of Unio soldiers. Contributions by Robe Schoeberlein and Robe Cook also do much to enrich perspectives about the Civil War era beyond Maryland’s borders. Schoeberlein’s essay, “Maryland’s Women at War,” admittedly my favorite in this splendid collection, investigate the myriad ways Union and Confederate women supported their causes during and after th conflict. From relief associatio sewing circles, caring for family members of soldiers, and supporting veterans after the conflict, Schoeberlein admirably illustrates that although not permitted to fight or vote, wome “expressed their devotion to the respective political alignments multiple and somewhat different ways.” Cook’s essay explores the complexities of memory in Maryland after the conflict, particularly the efforts of such Confederate veterans as Bradley Johnson to portray Maryland as much more Confederate than it was and the efforts of black Union veterans to counter the rampant Lost Cause. While those interested in the complexities of Maryland’s Civil War era history should certainly regard this important volume as indispensable, its appeal extends significantly beyond the boundaries of the Old Line State Individuals seeking perspectives on the experiences of African Americans, allegiance, soldiers, recruitment, constitutio issues, women, and memory will find Mitchell’s and Baker’s anthology quite useful and
Jonathan A. Noyalas is director of Shenandoah University McCormick Civil War Institute in Winchester, Virginia, a professo in Civil War Era Studies at Shenandoah University, and founding editor of Journal of th Shenandoah Valley During the Civil War Era. He is the author
or editor of fourteen books. Noyalas’ latest book, Slavery
Commendable Contribution Cedar Mountain To Antietam: A Civil War Campaign History of the Union XII Corps, JulySeptember, 1862. By M. Chris Bryan. Illustrations, maps, notes, appendices, bibliography index, 393 pp., Savas Beatie,
It seems as if the flow of ne books on Civil War battles and campaigns is ceaseless. An emerging generation of historia and serious students of the con has offered new interpretations or provided richer details on t engagements and operations. In most cases, these studies are m welcome. M. Chris Bryan has written on such work, a worthy addition to the field of Civil War military history. As the subtitle indica the author examined the role of an often-overlooked command during the summer of 1862. Organized as the II Corps, Army
of Virginia, the unit fought under Nathaniel Banks at Cedar Mountain on August 9. The corps was engaged in actions during the early stages of the Second Manassas Campaign but was not on the battlefield when the Arm of Virginia suffered defeat on August 29-30. In the battle’s aftermath, Jo Pope was relieved of command, and units of his army were
integrated into the reorganized Army of the Potomac under
mortally wounded early in the fighting, but his officers and men fought valiantly in the Cornfield, East and West Woods, and the Dunker Church plateau. Casualties in some XII Corps regiments exceeded fifty per cent. The author’s accounts of the corps’s roles in the fighting at Cedar Mountain and Antietam are very detailed. In places, the descriptions are at company levels. At times, the Cedar Mountain narrative gets bogged down and confusing, while the equally detailed Antietam chapters are less confusing. To be sure, describing Civil War combat accurately and with clarity is challenging. The narrative seems overwrought in places, replete with adverbs and adjectives. The difficulty with overusing the former is whether they accurately convey the situation. Nevertheless, the book is based on solid research in manuscripts, newspapers, and published works. The author has made a commendable contribution to the field.
Jeffry D. Wert, of Centre Hall, Pa., a longtime book reviewer of numerous books on the Civil War, including Gettysburg-Day Three and Cavalryman of the Lost Cause: A Biography of J. E. B. Stuart, and The Heart of Hell: The Soldier’s Struggle for Spotsylvania’s Bloody Angle.
N.Y—Dr. Chris Mackowski, professor of journalism and mass communication in St. Bonaventure University’s Jandol School of Communicatio was honored by the American
Battlefield Trust’s Teac Institute. The American Battlefield Trust is the largest nonprofit organization devoted preserving American’s hallowed battlegrounds. Although primari
focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, the trust works to save battlefield connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, as well. Through educational programs
the trust also informs the publ about the vital role battlefiel played in determining the cours of our nation’s history. The trust recogni Mackowski with an Award
for Outstanding Service at its Teacher Institute held July 212022, in Mobile, Ala. “Chris has been a great partn for us for years,” said the tru
collaborator with Mackowski, in presenting the award. “He
goes above and beyond, and we appreciate everything he brings to the table for us, from his teacher workshops to his tours
his appearances in on our video If you’ve ever watched him, his passion shows through. You know he loves what he does, and
we love what he does for us.” David N. Duncan, president of the American Battlefield Trust,
added his congratulations. “The trust is lucky to work with a tremendous number of talented historians,” Duncan said. “Some we consider family,
18– American Battlefield Trust 38 – Book Reviews
He embodies our mission and priorities in all that he does and our work is richer and mor vibrant for his contributions. Mackowski has worked closel with the trust for a number
of years, especially with its Education Department, hosting video content on the trust’s YouTube and Facebook pages, conducting tours, and writing articles for the organization’ print and online publications.
He has also been involved with a number of preservation initiatives for endangered Civ War battlefields. “This award was an incredib and unexpected honor for me,”
has given me some amazing opportunities over the years, I am deeply grateful to everyo there for those opportunities. my privilege to serve a cause an organization I’m so passion
about.” The Teachers Institute, whi celebrated its 20th year in 20 annually attracts hundreds of K-12 teachers from all over th
days of workshops, battlefield museum tours, and guest lectur
designed to give educators the tools to more creatively and engagingly teach about the pivotal conflicts of America’s
first century. In addition, during the two COVID necessitated a suspensio of the in-person Teacher Insti
the trust spearheaded the crea of a Virtual Teacher Institute (VTI), which has serviced more
than a thousand teachers since inception. At this year’s in-person Teacher Institute, Mackowski offered presentations
