Book Review: "Battle Cry of the Republic: The Civil War Era", James McPherson, 1988

Cover: Union Charge into Confederates

        Many titles (50,000+)dealing with the American Civil War grace the shelves of library after library, public and private.  They occupy space because the works answer many questions about an era that has relevance to today's problems the war was intended to solve.   Historian McPherson presents an overview that includes many of the most well known battles, such as Gettysburg and Vicksburg.  He adds much of the political landscape that is often not of much interest to other historians and readers with questions of American history during that most turbulent era.  He brings Lincoln in to sharp focus as he struggles with sectional differences that cause endless difficulties  in Congress as rebels down South who seceded create existential troubles for the president.
       The author gathers facts concerning the mid-century nation as sectionalism began to boil over not just in Congress, but also in the state legislatures themselves.  Soon, decisions had to be made at the family level: do sons and daughters follow the parents' lead?  Do brothers agree or separate into opponents?  Can the new president keep his unity goal as the goal of all or most all of his party and the Congress?  Widespread support would often waver in the face of setbacks on the battlefield.  Peace Democrats or copperheads, strongly opposed Mr. Lincoln and manuvered to wrest control of Congress in the near term elections.
      Mr. Lincoln's army was not much of one at the onset.  Few foot soldiers had any experience.  Those officers with any experience gained most of that in Mexico 12-13 years before hostilities erupted at home.  Many of those had returned to civilian life(Grant, Sherman for two).  State militias were thought to be those army units that would prosecute the war for the nation with help from the standing army which didn't hold great numbers in 1861.   Gen. George McClelland was given command of the Army of the Potomac and assigned the mission of subduing the rebellion.  The first meeting at Manassas/Bull Run did not go well as the rebel forces drove the Union troops into headlong retreat.  The casual observers on a picnic from Washington, D.C. scrambled alongside those troops to the security of defenses near the capitol.
     Author McPherson then takes the reader on a narrative course through this brief but significant 4 years of American history.   He covers important battles with details leading up to and following the event(s).  He indicates the fallout politically for both leaders: Mr. Davis in Richmond, VA., and Mr. Lincoln in Washington, D.C.  Each had their hands full with nay sayers and supporters.   While not claiming military expertise, Mr. Lincoln knew his goals and knew they could only be achieved by defeating the rebellion in the field.   Gen. McClelland, while respected by his troops and acclaimed for his intellect and training, he was hesitant to attack.  His movement or lack there of moved Mr. Lincoln to replace him, despite his popularity and his membership in the Democratic party.  He needed a proven leader and he found him out west, in the Mississippi River valley.  Gen. U.S. Grant was called east to take over the army and to get it moving to victory.  He brought William T. Sherman with him.   Things changed for the better.   It was not a cake walk, but a series of campaigns that had its share of setbacks in places like Chickamauga,  Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, and Cold Harbor.
        Among topics included beyond active hostilities were the early attempts to provide managed care for battlefield casualties who had been an after thought by leaders of both armies.  Volunteers began to organize efforts to provide first aid soon after the end of a battle.   Efforts were primitive by any account, but even these efforts saved countless lives.  The exploits of cavalry troops merited detailed accounts of their many contributions whether Gen. Phil Sheridan for Grant or Gen. James Longstreet for Robt. E. Lee.   These mounted troops covered great distances and often provided just enough intelligence to the leaders to sway the outcomes of battles.
      Perhaps the author's greatest achievement was to convey in his narrative the uncertainty of the outcome, even as late as 1864.  Yes, the Southern rebel was outnumbered and underfed unlike his Northern opponents; but he fought with determination and obstinantcie when well led which was much of the time.   Union troops, on the other hand, were generally well supplied and ably led, but often lacked the zeal of their opponent.  This can sometimes be ascribed to various recruitment programs that provided a mixed bag of soldiers, many on short term enlistments and recruited from a state with divided populations on the unity question.
     This book deserves to be on the shelf of any educated American.  It should be used as a reference on the era.