Burke Davis (1913–2006)

This little book, published the year I was born (probably more to celebrate the bicentennial, though), contains a surprising amount of information about the role that Black soldiers, sailors, and spies played during the American Revolution. I'm disturbed---but not surprised---by how some (not all) were given the chance to "win" their freedom by laying down their lives for their country, freedom that any white person had just by virtue of being born. And even those who were already free show more before they volunteered to fight had to fight after the war for the pensions and recognition due them by the country they had served. I feel compelled to learn as much of the full story of my country of birth as possible, but it is exhausting to be so disappointed so much of the time. show less

I had recently read a novel of historical fiction about the end of the American Civil War and decided to find out more about it. This book starts after the capture of Atlanta and follows Sherman and his troops as they trek through Georgia and the Carolinas, attempting to cut off the supply lines to the Confederate troops and bring an end to hostilities. This meant taking the war to civilians, mostly women, children, and slaves. It ends with the final victory parade and a few words about the show more remainder of Sherman’s life. Although it contains biographical material, it is not a biography of Sherman; rather, it is a detailed examination of the “march” and related events that led to the end of the war.

The author has taken eye-witness accounts and woven them together with his narrative into a cohesive story depicting what life was like during this difficult time. His research and the inclusion of anecdotes and quotes from letters and diaries of participants on both sides, lends a feeling of authenticity, and it certainly helps that many people of the time tended to write eloquently of their experiences. The structure is chronological, and the storyline is focused. Enough detail is offered without being too verbose. Davis includes sights, sounds, smells, textures to bring the past to life: the appearance of the countryside, the weather, the clothing, the food (or lack thereof), almost like scenes in a movie. He does not shy away from describing the horrific destruction, lives shattered, and sense of “punishing” the south (especially in South Carolina, the seat of secession). Sherman is lauded as a fine military strategist, but his racism and mercurial temperament are not overlooked. He did not condone pillaging but did little to stop it. One of the most interesting parts, for me, was the backstory of the bad blood between Sherman and Secretary of War Stanton, and the controversy over the terms of surrender negotiated with Confederate General Johnston.

Content warnings include descriptions of war-related violence, looting, racism, rape, and executions. Recommended to readers interested in American Civil War history, especially how it came to an end. Overall, I found it vivid, readable, and informative. show less

If you think you know about the Civil War, you're wrong. Call it the War of the Rebellion if you would like, but what has survived, as in many wars, is not usually the first hand accounts of people who were there, since traumatized veterans are frequently reluctant to relive their experiences through the retelling of events they witnessed. The award winning books by southern-born writers such as Margaret Mitchell and Robert Penn Warren tell great tales, but reality was not always aligned show more with the story they told. I started to discover discrepancies in my beliefs about the war and the antebellum south when I was doing historical research in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. While I have not read Burke Davis' biographies of Southern Civil War notables, he worked hard to acquire researching and writing skills along with his credentials. I am familiar with the places he lived and with his family lineage. I have to respect this phenomenal work.

But back to the book. It is an easy read with short paragraphs laid out in mostly chronological order, as related by Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, child couriers and civilians. There are also reports by newspaper reporters, telegraphed and written letters, and war correspondence. Helpful maps in the front showing the lines of attack are well done and note-taking is allowed if you don't know the difference between Generals Sheridan and Sherman or Lee and Jackson. An index in the back is also great for finding particular people, places or events. These windows into history also give us glimpses into the real character and personalities of Jefferson Davis, Robert E Lee, General Sheridan and George Custer. I found these most enlightening. There are accounts from the "Negro Troops" who fought valiantly on both sides, North and South, and details about the artillery and plans of attack that are just detailed enough to hold interest and inform, giving us the understanding and appreciation that military strategy is more than finding enough people to line up and face off against each other. While Sherman has the reputation for being the one man who laid waste to the southern states, the fall of Richmond details how destruction and looting by the residents was more devastating. I was also surprised by the many good reports from southerners as to how they were treated at capture although I am sure that those who were not treated well may not have lived to tell the tale.

With Union armies approaching, fleeing residents saved what was most dear to them, their family, a soup tureen, silverware, a carved bust and other artwork, and left behind what wasn't important, furniture, slaves, a wife. The several Confederate armies in the fight knew what was needed to fight another day, but with supply chains cut, food was running low. The Confederate soldiers were starving but kept fighting, burning and destroying everything behind them, bridges, wagons, roads and houses to slow down the enemy advance. The Union army knew they had to bring the fight to an end quickly if they could, by catching up to them on one side and cutting them off on another, all the while maintaining their own supply chain of food and ammunition. Scouts and spies play a role in the drama. Two teenage boys who were caught by the Confederates told their captor that they knew what the consequences would be if they were caught. This war included children fighting on both sides.

The people at the center of the tempest are not forgotten. One master tells his slave that he is free and "just as rich as I am right now." The man "cried pitifully...and sent his love to [his owner's] wife". Another man "...appeared at the [train] depot with a shuffling line of fifty slaves, their ankles chained". When the man was not allowed on the train due to there being no room in the escaping throng, he was forced to unlock them and "...watch the scattering of $50,000.00 worth of property, perhaps the last batch of salable slaves in the nation." Many slaves took the opportunity to celebrate, abandoning household belongings they had been left behind to guard and indulging in whatever food and libations remained in the houses of fleeing residents who didn't care enough to bring their servants along with them to safety.

Not to be overlooked is a great supporting cast of characters. General Grant's brilliant aide, Colonel Eli Parker, an Indian (Native American) whose good humor and intelligence are noted briefly. General Lee's sons fought in the war and President Lincoln's sons and wife accompanied him offshore on a ship that monitored the events closer to the fighting. There was chivalry and respect, and food given to starving Confederate soldiers, sometimes in spite of orders given to the commissary. When one group of Union soldiers taunted their captives, the officer told his men that they had fought well, deserved respect, and if his own troops had been as good, they would have ended the battle days earlier.

There are so many stories in every cataclysmic event, but luckily for us, Burke Davis did the work and collected them for us. I highly recommend this book to anyone if you have even the most remote interest in American history. There is some death to be sure, it is about war and our nation's bloodiest war fought on our own soil, but the appeal is that it does not glorify the gore and brutality so much that it is impossible to get through the compelling narratives. show less

A detailed account of Uncle Billy making Georgia howl in 1864. I found parts of it fascinating, Sherman was a complex man to say the least. I had ancestors who marched with the 54th Indiana and the details of camp life and the march itself were intriguing. A lot of anecdotes, especially of virtuous rebels defying Yankee invaders, with just a whiff of "Lost Cause' baloney. Or should I say "hardtack", as baloney was not a standard ration? And if Sherman made Georgia howl then he made South show more Carolina scream ... this was a part of the campaign rarely surfaced - his continuation of the campaign through the Carolinas. Well written but very disjointed in places. It does have a complete bibliography and is indexed, which is helpful with the names especially. show less