Wiley Sword (1937–2015)

If you're a fan of John Bell Hood you would be wise to shy away from this book, as Wiley Sword does not have one positive thing to say about the Confederate general's winter war in the wake of the fall of Atlanta. Apart from analyzing the assorted battles in this campaign, where Sword really shines is in portraying the sheer misery of fighting in winter while short of everything; food, clothing, shelter, and hope. Even hardened military buffs will come away snarling at the waste of it all show more (Feb. 14, 2004). show less

It seems wrong to say I enjoyed this book as it dealt with tragic events but I was certainly absorbed by it and I'm glad I learnt about this part of the civil war that I knew virtually nothing about. This book is clearly very well researched and written and large portions of this book deserve five stars in my opinion.
However, I dropped it down to 3 stars because I struggled through some of the very graphic descriptions of the fighting. Others may say they didn't find it too much, but for me show more I found some of the particulars were described in unnecessary detail. Yes, these appalling things happened but I think the events could have been fully grasped in their horror with less explicit descriptions of the combat. show less

Before visiting the battlefield, the McGavock house,cemetery and other historical parts of Franklin, I wanted to know more details surrounding the actual battle itself. The Order of Battle, the physical placements of regiments, brigades and divisions, as well as a better understanding of the decisions made by General Hood while in Spring Hill, were subjects of personal interest to me. My great grandfather (17th Al.Infantry, Walthall’s Division) was shot in his left temple as they show more approached the hedges/ cotton gin area. He survived the head wound, graduated from Mobile Medical College, and was a country physician in rural south Alabama by age 23. He practiced medicine for 54 years and had nine children, my grandmother being one. She shared many fond memories of riding with him on house calls while he delivered babies, set bones, etc. in exchange for turnip greens if they could not pay. Not one time did he ever speak of the war or the day of 30 November, 1864.
Wiley Sword’s well-researched account of these historic few days in Tennessee was one of my two text books and guides as I walked the battlefield in the vicinity of my great grandfather’s regiment and brigade. The owner of a small independent book store in downtown Franklin recommended this book, along with the McDonough/Connelly “Five Tragic Hours”, which was an excellent companion to the Sword book. I would highly recommend both of these for anyone interested in a superbly detailed accounting of the senseless tragedy of the Battle of Franklin. show less

Excellent work! One of the best books on the final stages of the Confederate Army of the Tennessee. The author's reseach pulls many works from the Union side by using published works of those who faught in the battles. If you want to know about General Hood and his distroying his army at Franklin and Nashville this is to book for you.