Into Rebeldom: How the Physical Journey South Impacted Union SoldiersAccording to historian Aaron Sheehan-Dean the study of the Civil War soldier is best achieved when focused on the interconnections of motivation, experience, and effect. [1] And indeed, for decades now historians have analyzed all three aspects of the soldier. Take, for example, the factors that were involved in motivating someone to enlist, and then re-enlist during the war. Historians have explored ideology and ethos, including the political, social, economic and religious determinants of a soldier. The experiences of the soldier, mostly related to combat, have also been extensively examined. Finally, the effects of those experiences of war and how they impacted the soldier, including redefinitions of courage and other ensuing pathologies of battle, have received much attention. Intertwined among these themes exists subtopics of race and gender, among others.Where the analysis of these interconnections gets hazy is in the qualifying nature of interpreting a Civil War soldier’s correspondence. Statements and revelations within a diary or letter sometimes have to be qualified by the historian before they can be categorized or measured, and this leads to an imperfect science. Studies have tried to measure the political articulateness of soldiers in an attempt to determine their awareness or sophistication of understanding. Such studies are hopelessly flawed as the measures used are based entirely on the historian making a judgment call, hence qualifying the statements of a soldier writing 140 years ago – a daunting task, to be sure. To read more... Posted on Wednesday December 02, 2009 11:26 pm Book Reviews: The Baltimore Plot: The First Conspiracy to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln.Kline, Michael J. The Baltimore Plot: The First Conspiracy to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Ill. Maps. Notes. Bib. Index. 520p. ISBN 1-59416-071-4. $29.95 Nov. 2008. One of the mysteries of the American Civil War and one that will be a subject for debate among enthusiasts of all stripe is what has come to be known as the Baltimore Plot – was it real or not? Was there a plan in place to make sure that President-elect Lincoln did not survive long enough to take the oath of office? Or was it all just a figment of master detective Allan Pinkerton's over – active imagination? Author Michael J. Kline, an attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, sifts through the historical facts and determines that a conspiracy case based on circumstantial evidence can be made, which he does with amazing detail. Taaffee, Stephn R. Commanding Lincoln's Navy: Union Naval Leadership During the Civil War. U.S. Naval Institute Press. Ill. Maps. Notes. Bib. Index. 364p. ISBN 978-1-59114-855-5. $37.95. May, 2009. A welcome addition to the literature on the United States Navy's role in the Civil War is Dr. Taaffee's Commanding Lincoln's Navy. This is a well-written overview of naval operations from the perspective of the leadership of the Union Navy and the problems they faced in quashing the rebellion. Posted on Saturday August 01, 2009 3:34 pm More Book Reviews!We have three new Book Reviews:The Battle of the Crater: A Complete History A Wisconsin Yankee in Confederate Bayou CountryPosted on Tuesday May 26, 2009 2:09 pm Mutiny At Fort Jackson: The Untold Story of the Fall of New OrleansBook Review by David Poremba. The story of the fall of New Orleans in May of 1862 has been not much more of a Civil War footnote, overshadowed by the Vicksburg campaign occurring the following year – with the exception perhaps, of the attention given to General Benjamin "Beast" Butler... Read Review.Posted on Friday May 08, 2009 4:29 pm WANTED: A Gettysburg Conference Reporter!Soldier Studies has a pass to this summer's "Annual Conference 2009 The Fields of Gettysburg" during June 4 - June 7, 2009. We need someone who lives in or near Gettysburg to attend. We would prefer a historian or a graduate student of history, but at this late time would consider other options as well. You will get access to all the events and tours. We need this person to take pictures and write a 1500-2000 word story on their experience at the Conference. For more information please email me: cwehner@soldierstudies.org. Posted on Saturday May 02, 2009 4:20 pm BOOK REVIEW: Master of War: The Life of General George H. Thomasby David Poremba In this delightful romp through Civil War generals’, politicians and modern historians reputations, Benson Bobrick marches to the front rank the life of General George H. Thomas, whom he claims is the greatest Civil War general, better even than Robert E. To Read Review Click Here Posted on Saturday February 28, 2009 6:55 pm Union - Troops Furnished and DeathsWe've added a new section to our database, a Union - Troops Furnished and Deaths chart that will also create some interactive sections for classroom activities. Click Here to see the chart.Posted on Sunday February 15, 2009 5:48 pm » News Archive |
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Your database will be quite valuable to researchers. 
