| KVCWRT recommended Reading |
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Stonewall of the West: Patrick Cleburne and the Civil War by Craig L. Symonds
Product Details
Patrick Cleburne established a record as
an outstanding division commander with the Army of Tennessee during the
war. From Shiloh until his death at Franklin, he was entrusted with
difficult tasks, performing each with diligence. Frequently, his
division was the rear guard fending off an advancing victorious army
during a retreat. As one of the few immigrant officers in the
Confederacy, with family on both sides, Cleburne attracts attention for
his war record and as a person. Craig L Symonds' biography is one of
the best available. While not the most detailed, it conveys both the
man and the general at a level that will satisfy most of us.• Paperback: 328 pages • Publisher: University Press of Kansas (October 1998) • Language: English • ISBN-10: 0700609342 • ISBN-13: 978-0700609345 by James Durney The book needs to spend more time on the political battle that tore the Army of Tennessee apart and on the relationship between Cleburne and General Hardee. Hardee is Cleburne's mentor, protector and a key player in the anti-Bragg faction within the army. I feel this area is poorly developed, as is Cleburne's proposal to make slaves into solders. These two items are what kept him at divisional command, possibly leading to his death at Franklin. The second area that needs work is the Atlanta and Nashville Campaigns. Again, the author skirts major issues that affected Cleburne and contributed to his death. Overall, this is a well-written book, very readable and informative. This is a worshipful picture of an odd and somewhat limited individual. It is an excellent choice for someone that wants a good background on Cleburne without having to plow through hundreds of pages of details. |
