The Civil War in the West: From Stones River to Chattanooga

Rating:
Summary: After Shiloh and before Atlanta: How the ACW was Lost
Review: This trilogy very competently fills in much needed analysis and detail on the critical ACW battles of Stones River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Hard to believe, with the great volume of ACW material that has been generated and is still being generated, but there were really no standard, first rate treatments of these three great battles before Cozzens set to work (and there is still no standard available on the battle of Shiloh). The research, detail and accuracy are first rate (even more impressive since Mr. Cozzens is a foreign service officer and at times worked from sites as remote as Lima, Peru). The first installment - No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River - is a slow start, somewhat confused and complacent (which is an odd impression, given that Stones River was equivalent to a two-day Antietam of the West). However, the next two volumes - especially the middle centerpiece - This Terrible Sound: The Battle of Chickamauga - are stellar. The right balance of commentary and description in tactics, troop movements and first person narrative is achieved to deliver great story telling and history. The incredible, depressing, star-crossed story of the Confederate Army of Tennessee is an amazing testament to the indomitable nature of the human spirit. Never were better soldiers under worse leadership. Where this work earns its Main Selection of the History Book Club and ACW classic status is in the unflinching, painfully honest portrayals of the individuals involved: Braxton Bragg is revealed to be the egotistical incompetent that he was (Bragg's only effective campaign was the offensive he launched against his own officers after his only victory); Sherman and Grant very competent but also capable of serious tactical errors; Rosecrans' collapse into despair; Longstreet's self-serving intrigues; Thomas' plodding but heroic style; all come to life in these pages. Above all, the simple hopes and desires, fears and dreams of the common soldier, moved to acts of cowardice and bravery, stupidity and inspiration, despair and hope, are documented for generations to ponder (this is where the primary research pays off - resulting in well-placed first person narrative descriptions throughout). Mr. Cozzens' has delivered a very valuable, enjoyable work deserving of attention. The art work by Keith Rocco is also a nice touch, effecting without sentimentality, historical art which contributes to the whole.