Robert Underwood Johnson (1853–1937)

Here we go from Perryville to Chattanooga and Knoxville, with egos a-bristle and ever ready to print four or more sides of any argument, the 1886 version of "the Late Unpleasantness" unrolls further. Gettysburg almost seems to get lost, as other turning points appear, are swathed in controversy, and consigned to the uproar of the ages. This is a primer in military special pleading, and a fertile midway for the ACW buff, . This four volume set has something for everyone.

The Chronology gets much more scattered in this volume, that also contains a useful index for all four volumes. By now we see this book as a classic of military publication, a very democratic exercise as every famous general got to speak their piece, sometimes creating exercises in politicking and revisionism. Therefore it is an artifact in itself rather than a book of analysis. But a very interesting series to analyse as parts of it are still open to lively debate to this day. Read but keep show more your antennae out, as there are many traps to fall into. show less

A good deal of this volume of collected history articles is taken up by the number of articles dealing with "How I saved Washington for the Federals" controversy as a great many people saw this period as their big contribution to the war. Illustrated and all in all, a fun read. But it's not gospel as regards accuracy, but useful for colour.
Originating in 1886 the collection is full of maps, and has a fair amount of wheat among several bushels of Chaff.

The entertainment level is high, and the maps are attractive, and good for their time. This volume II covers the fall of New Orleans to the battle of Antietam, and that of Corinth in the West. It's an anthology and the articles are either written by the participants or ghost written by the Century Magazine's stable.