TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog

Month: December 2013

  • Civil War Book Review: The Gettysburg Campaign in Numbers and Losses

    The Gettysburg Campaign in Numbers and Losses: Synopses, Orders of Battle, Strengths, Casualties, and Maps, June 9 – July 14, 1863 by J. David Petruzzi and Steven Stanley Product Details Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Savas Beatie (April 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1611210801 ISBN-13: 978-1611210804 “Oh goody!” was my reaction on receiving this book.  I confess […]

  • Origins of “Sharpshooter”

    Some time ago I did a post on the origin of the word “sharpshooter” – that it came into the English language by way of the German mercenary riflemen hired by the British crown in the late 18th Century. A couple of commenters, however, took issue with that analysis and insisted that it came from […]

  • Frank Varney and the Mangling of History

    I have been working my way through General Grant and the Rewriting of History by Frank Varney, that was published by Savas Beatie this past July, and I have a problem: I am so annoyed by it I might not be able to finish. I wanted to like this book, but do not be surprised […]

  • Chickasaw Bayou (2)

    Sherman Prepares Designated by Grant to front the expedition Sherman’s task to assemble the necessary resources for the strike at Vicksburg was complicated by several factors. The impending arrival of MG John McClernand left command of the expedition in doubt. McClernand, a political ally of the President, had been given command of any river operations […]

  • Civil War Book Review: Searching for George Gordon Meade

    Searching for George Gordon Meade: The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg by Tom Huntington Product Details Hardcover: 416 pages Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1ST edition (February 1, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 0811708136 ISBN-13: 978-0811708135 The invisible general Every Civil War General seems to have a group of dedicated and vocal supporters. With few problems, I can find: […]