A basic Civil War library?

[dusty27]

With the advent of the new forum, there seems to be a large number of "fresh fish" visiting the forums, asking what I call "basic" questions. Without being able to recover the "lost research" contained on the old forum, I think it would be good if we compiled a list of "must reads" for new members interested in making the leap in authenticity. I would appreciate help with this from the more "veteran" members of the forum.

So when you have time, please add a post with a bibliographical listing of books that you have found helpful in furthering your experience. I will cut and paste your entry into the list. Thanks. (MC) means "provided by"

The forum is giving me an error message when I try to add new books so if you would just highlight the bibliographical info in your post, it will show your titles clearer.

BOOKS

Billings, John D. Hardtack & Coffee; The Unwritten Story of Army Life. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1993.

Daniel, Larry. Soldiering in the Army of Tennessee: A Portrait of Life in a Confederate Army. Univ of North Carolina Press, 1991. ISBN: 0807855529 (MT)

Davis, William C. Rebels and Yankees: Commanders of the Civil War. London: Salamander Books, 2003 (PB)

Davis, William C. Rebels and Yankees: Fighting Men of the Civil War. London: Salamander Books, 2003 (PB)

Edwards, William B., Civil War Guns, The Stackpole Company, 1962. (JS)

Griffith, Paddy, Battle In the Civil War Generalship and Tactics in America 1861-65, Fieldbooks, 1986. (JS)

Katcher, Philip. The Army of Robert E. Lee. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1994 (JP)

Kautz, August V. Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers (1865). Reissued Mechanisburg, PA.: Stackpole Books, 2001. (JT)

Jensen, Leslie D. Johnny Reb, The Uniform of the Confederate Army, 1861-1865 Mechanicsburg, PA; Stackpole Books, 1996 (JK)

Johson, Paul D. Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman Lincoln, RI; Andrew Mowbray Incorporated, 1998 (JK)

McCarthy, Carlton Detailed Minutiae of Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1993 (JP)

Rhodes, Elisha Hunt, All for the Union, Orion Books, 1985. (JS)

Van Doren Stern, Philip ed. Soldier Life in the Union and Confederate Armies. New York, NY: Random House Value Publishing, Inc., 2001 (JP)

Watkins, Sam R. Co. Aytch; A Confederate Memoir of the Civil War. New York: Simon and Schuster Inc., 1990.

Wert, Jeffry D., A Brotherhood of Valor: the Common Soldiers of the Stonewall Brigade, C.S.A., and the Iron Brigade, U.S.A., Simon & Schuster, 1999. (JS)

Wiley, Bell Irvin. The Life of Johnny Reb; The Common Soldier of the Confederacy. Baton Rouge, La.: Lousiana State University Press, 1943.

Wiley, Bell Irvin. The Life of Billy Yank; The Common Soldier of the Union. Baton Rouge, La.: Lousiana State University Press, 1952. (JT)

Woodhead, Henry ed. Echoes of Glory: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy. Alexandria: Time-Life Books, 1991.

Woodhead, Henry ed. Echoes of Glory: Arms and Equipment of the Union. Alexandria: Time-Life Books, 1991.

WEB PAGES

Company of Military Historians' website for Jensen's uniform article "A SURVEY OF CONFEDERATE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT QUARTERMASTER ISSUE JACKETS" http://www.military-historians.org/...nfederate-1.htm (JK)

Geof Walden's COLUMBUS DEPOT JACKETS: The Material Evidence at http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Q...cd/cdjacket.htm (MS)

Civil War Uniform and Equipment Bibliography from Chris Daley's site http://www.cjdaley.com/bibliography.htm (CD)

[pfeiffer3964]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

The Van Doren Stern book above is a compilation of excerpts from both Hardtack and Coffee and Detailed Minutiae of Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865.

[Johan Steele]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Here are a couple more that are good reading for the beginner. If you're interested at all in the small arms of the day Edwards is a must. Griffith's book is almost more of an adolescents book in some aspects but it has some very valuable information in a convenient package and it's plenty cheap. Rhodes & Wert are both books that give a good look at the fighting men of the day and some of their activities and daily campaighn life.

Hardtack & Coffee is an absolute must for any reenactor as are both of the Wiley books.

[Michael Semann]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Don't forget to add:
Fletcher, William A. Rebel Private: Front and Rear: Memoirs of a Confederate Soldier Plume Publishing, 1997

Great reading, and as a side note, many of the details in COLD MOUNTAIN (the book, I've yet to see the movie) appear to have been lifted from this memoir, as well as Watkins' and McCarthy's IMHO.

I would also add:
Lord, Dr. Francis Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia Vol I, II, III, Book Sales, 1995

Although one could definitely wish for clearer photos of the items pictured in these volumes.

My last book addition (for now, at least) is:
A Catalog of Uniforms: In the collection of the Museum of the Confederacy MOC, 1987

While I would have preferred pictures of EVERY item in the collection, and longer, more detailed descriptions, it is never the less a nice cross section of Confederate uniforms-both officer's and enlisted.

[58 lorenz]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Even though it is a novel, another good one with a wealth of detail about the everyday life of the Federal soldier is:

Hinman,Wilbur: "Corporal Si Klegg and his Pard" 1887,1997,J.W.Henry pub.Co.

One that I found interesting is :

Dawes,Rufus: "A full-blown Yankee of the Iron Brigade" 1890,1999 univ. of Neb. press



Doug Price

[skunkboy]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Howdy Comrades,

Another good book is,

Berry Benson's Memoirs of a Confederate Scout and Sharpshooter. University of Georgia Press.

Also already mentioned are Wiley's books. All are good.

Sincerely and with best regards,
Pat O'Melia
Poison Oak Mess.

[styler]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Some of those listed and suggested are beyond "beginner" level. To start I'd feed someone on the how-to books like Billings, Wiley's books, and Hinman, and include some not listed - about any diary or collection of letters or newspaper reprints, such as my favorite, Fisk's letters in Hard Marching Every Day. The material culture should follow if the appetite is whetted by these.

But that's just my take.

I also notice there aren't many social or political titles yet in the list. Maybe that's Phase III.

[Michael Semann]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Three other books that I would recommend to have on hand are:

Katcher, Philip The Civil War Sourcebook ISBN: 0816038333, 1998

Jensen, Leslie D. Johnny Reb: The uniforms of the Confederate Army, 1861-1865 Greenhill/Stackpole books,1996

and:

McAfee, Michael J. & Langellier, John P. Billy Yank: The Uniforms of the Union Army, 1861-1865 Greenhill/Stackpole books,1996

The last two being a good source of period photos of soldiers in their respective uniforms and accouterments.

By the way Steve, I see a number of Memoirs/Diaries listed above. One should include Mary Chestnut's book to the list:

Chestnut, Mary B. A Diary From Dixie Gramercy, 1997.

Although it is a civilian account of the war, it's a wealth of information. It can be a bit tedious reading at times (footnotes a'plenty).

[marlin teat]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Daniel, Larry J., Soldiering in the Army of Tennessee: A Portrait of Life in a Confederate Army: Univ of North Carolina Pr; (December 1991)
ISBN: 0807820040

Same book as above, different edition. - Mike Chapman

[Michael Semann]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Marlin, Larry Daniels' book is a good one. He lives just a mile or two away from me in Murray, KY.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Here are a few more must reads

Soldiering; Rice Bull

Gone for a Soldier; Alfred Ballard

The Story of a Common Soldier; Leander Stillwell

Hard Marching Everyday; Wilbur Fisk

Civil War Diary of a Forty Niner; Horatio Chapman

[Enfilade]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

How about these?;

Hardee's Manual of Arms
Gilham's " " "
Casey's " " "
Scott's " " "
Baxter's " " "

Or whoever's unit you are supposed to be portraying at any given time period of the war and the manual they were using. Read the manuals and drill.

Mark Berrier
North State Rifles
combinations@northstate.net

[SGulley]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Four Years With the Iron Brigade
The Civil War Journal of William Ray, Company F, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers

Edited by Lance Herdegen and Sherry Murphy

[JimKindred]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Robert M. Reilly, American Socket Bayonets and Scabbards, Andrew Mowbray Incorporated, 1990.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Beginner's bibliography

Bullet and Shell _George F Williams

A Volunteer's Adventures_John William De Forest

One of Jacksons Foot Cavalry_John H. Worsham

The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson_Edward A. Moore

Two Great Rebel Armies_Richard M. McMurry