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Ninety-Eight Days: A Geographer's View of the Vicksburg Campaign
written by Warren E. Grabau
Studio : University of Tennessee Press
by University of Tennessee Press
Publisher : University of Tennessee Press
Released : 2000-11
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9781572330689
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 9 reviews)
List Price : $48.00
Our Price : $41.90
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Excellent background, short on personal stories. |
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In the genre of popular Civil War books, the emphasis is often on the people in the story - who did what and when, what was said between protagonists, and the telling of the many interesting ancedotes that liven up the prose. The good books give a clear background to the decision and actions, but are often difficult to follow as they are unclear about many of the non-human aspects of a campaign, such geographic, ecological and engineering details that affected the course of events. Grabau has produced a magnificent work that addresses in depth many of the fascinating background issues that affected the outcome of the Vicksburg campaign. We learn much about the geology of the Mississippi river, and how the landcape along the river determined the course of events. We learn much about logistical realities that the armies had to contend with, such as the pounds per square inch by which a cassion wheel contacts the earth. Because it so high (about 20 times that of a modern battle tank), wagons will sink in with any rain, greatly limiting the mobility of an army. Grabau provides fascinating details concerning transportion by equine (horses and mules), and how they controlled Civil war tactics. An army had to carry fodder in most cases, with greatly diminishing returns as the distance increases. If, for example, an army had to travel over 70 miles, all it could carry was horse fodder, rather than the army. One of the best aspects of the book are the detailed maps of the region, the battles, and the siege works around Visckburg. These maps provide great clarity to the narritive and understanding of the events. I was at Vicksburg the week before I read the book, and am able to state that the maps are accurate and match the landscape well. They would be vital to those who travel to Vicksburg, as they bring clarity to a heterogenous and often confusing landscape. With the maps, one can now find many of the locations of the campaign that are currently unmarked, aan in doing so, better appreciate the role important role of geography as a controller of events. The writing style is clear and moves right along, alternating between federal and Confederate views of the same series of events. In many ways, I found this to be the best Civil War book I have read, because of the smooth delivery and depth of information. Why only 4 stars? The description of key events, such as the battles, the siege, the surrender and aftermath are generally pretty brief. There is not much detail provided regarding the human actions in the campaign. We learn, for example, which units assaulted the Stockade Redan, that they attacked, did not have much success, and eventually retreated. The human interest stories that often provide for a rich narrative are sparse and often economically delivered. In this manner, Grabau's style has to be contrasted with that of Shelby Foote, but that to be expected, as Foote brings a novelist's perspective while Grabau has a background in geography and the sciences. Both perspectives work. To fully appreciate the Vicksburg campaign, I would recommend 98 Days be read before Foote's The Beleagured City and other more recent texts. In this way, the reader would bring a background understanding to the narratives by Foote and others that are somewhat sparse on the details but tell a great story of the people involved. |
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Great Regimental Maps: Another 5 Star review |
Read this book in preparation to touring the campaign per the recommendation of the guide we employed. Was not disappointed.
Ed Bearss three volume work is often referred to as the definitive work, but can be a dry read. So, this is a good alternative but should probably be read in conjuction with another work such as Winchels (park historian?) "Triumph and Defeat". Grabau has great regimental movement maps and emphasizes the geological and landscape character of the terrain upon which this campaign was conducted. Read it. |
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My Favorite Civil War Book |
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Best analysis of the nuts and bolts of the Vicksburg Campaign. The maps alone will make you wish every civil war book could be just like 98 Days. I would change only one thing about the book: Grabau hints that some of the locals may have been aiding the Union and feeding disinformation to the Confederates. He uses Occam's Razor to arrive at this conclusion. However, some amount of information available in the O.R. and other primary source documents suggests the existence of a vast network of Unionists and deserters that actively resisted the Confederacy in Mississippi. Although the evidence is circumstantial with regard to Grant's intel operations in Mississippi, Grabau points out that there are simply too many fortunate coincidences on the march from Bruinsburg to Bovina (Confederate units wandering aimlessly after being told the wrong directions, "railroad workers" who just happen to know the exact number of cannon and regiments in Pemberton's offensive force, Grant's effortless movement through enemy territory, and the absence of intel flowing from the common folk to the Confederate command concerning Union movements). I would have enjoyed seeing him follow up on this thought. Anyone interested in researching this topic should read "The Free State of Jones: Mississippi's Longest Civil War" (a dry but very thoroughly researched read), "Tupelo" by Reverend John Aughey, and the O.R. entries concerning Choctaw County. |
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Wonderful Account of the Vicksburg Campaign |
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There should be more books like this on other battles of the Civil War. Warren Grabau has blended the common, often read knowledge of Vicksburg with his own geographic/weather insights that make this a slightly different insight into the soldier's experience. The book reads quite well and in no time the reader is finished...disapointed there is no next chapter. The maps are quite good, allowing the reader insight as to the ongoings on the battlefield(s). This a must read for anyone interested in the civil war and a definite...no excuse not to.. read for those specifically involved with the western theater. Now I think I will go and re-read the book to enjoy the second time! |
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Tour de Force |
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Grabau, a lifelong student of the Vicksburg campaign and a collaborator of Ed Bearss, has laid down a marker for other military historians with this new study which should remain the best single-volume treatment of the campaign for some days to come. I have never seen a more comprehensive blending of all the factors which influence the outcome of war. Grabau succinctly ties together communications, intelligence, and logistics along with astute observations on military operations and command personalities. His expertise in geography and geology allows him to describe, in layman's terms, the impact of Mississippi's weather, terrain and vegetation on day to day operations. His enlightening but commonsensical analysis of soil, climate, road surfaces and water sources adds another dimension to the reader's understanding of how and why the campaign was waged. Students of joint warfare should find this volume of great value as Grabau carefully delineates the cooperation between Grant's army and Porter's fleet - what a shining example for today's military! The backbone of this book consists of a set of 68 accessible maps which graphically illustrate actions and decisions of the participants. Accompanying line and block charts of orders of battle and associated command structures further assist the reader. A typical chapter begins with a geographical description of the area to be discussed followed with sections dealing with a particular battle or operation as seen, first by the Union participants, and then by the Confederates ---very effective. The author's style is snappy and crisp; he wields his facts comfortably and accompanied by a nice sense of humor. My only disappointment was the lack of an exhaustive bibliography, but given the extraordinary effort this work entailed, that's rather small potatoes. This volume is mandatory for any serious student of the Vicksburg campaign, of U.S. Grant, or of amphibious operations. Additionally, I can think of no other work that more clearly illustrates the genius and courage of U.S. Grant and David Porter. |
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