Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (review)

208CI VIL W AR HISTOR Y The original Vandalia and Springfield Capitol buildings, now courthouses, still stand. In both, lawyer and legislator Lincoln developed his skills and knowledge for eventual statesmanship. The Lincoln home on Eighth and Jackson Streets, in Springfield, is the actual structure bought by the Lincolns in 1844. Within its walls the awareness of the spirit of Mary and Abraham Lincoln is very much a part of the experience of visiting each room. This book is written in good taste and is complete enough to stimulate much interest in following the Lincoln trail. It makes an indispensable guide on any privately conducted pilgrimage and an ideal memento once the trip is completed. A good map could have been the final touch, while students of Lincoln would appreciate a few more photographs of such places as the Great Hall at Cooper Union, Lincoln's church in Washington, the Peterson House, and other old landmarks associated with the man. Beyond such minor omissions, Maurine Redway and Dorothy Bracken are to be complimented for a careful selection of some excellent photographs and a text that is brief but descriptive of the places and the man. Hastings House's format and binding makes this book a very pleasing addition to the Lincoln bookshelf. Arnold Gates Garden City, New York. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. 4 vols. (New York: Thomas Yoseloff , Inc. 1956. Pp. I, xxiii, 750; II, xix, 760; III, xix, 752; IV, xix, 835. $30.00.) Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. 1-vol. abridgement. Edited by Ned Bradford. (New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. 1956. Pp. xii, 626. $8.95.) in 1887 the century company published a four-volume work which is one of the great classics of the Civil War. Mr. Roy F. Nichols, in a brief introduction to the long-awaited reissue of this monumental work, tells us that it was originally the brain-child of Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson of the Century Magazine staff, and in that journal the essays appeared, with a tremendous popular response, between 1883 and 1886. Buel at first proposed only "a series of articles on the principal battles by the leaders of both sides," but this concept soon expanded into a comprehensive survey. Needless to say, the editorial task of Messrs. Buel and Johnson must have been staggering, but with loyal support from their chief, Richard Watson Gilder, they kept their balance and eventually produced an eminent work. Psychologically, the 1880's were the right years for this enterprise, providing a reliable perspective on the war and assuring, in most instances, no weakening of mental powers on the part of the contributors. From the Northern viewpoint, the writers included Pope, McClellan, Buell, Rosecrans, Burnside, and (after some hesitation) Grant and Sherman; for the South, Beauregard, Longstreet, Johnston, Mosby, D. H. Hill, and others contributed. Only Sheridan and a few other recalcitrants refused to participate. And so we have, for thirty hard-earned dollars, a military-literary conclave Book Reviews209 which, in scope and interest, outrivals most ancient and modern military annals. Setting aside the hoary claims of such court-reporters as Homer, Herodotus, and Tacitus, I can bring to bear, with a more recent reference, only such richly rewarding works as John Buchan's History of the Great War, Freeman's R. E. Lee and Lee's Lieutenants, and Churchill's six-volume history of the second World War as adequate bookshelf companions for Battles and Leaders. Nowhere else can you bring togetiier Beauregard's account of first Bull Run; a "panel" review of Shiloh by Grant, Buell, Beauregard, and others; firsthand descriptions of die peninsular campaign by McClellan, Longstreet, Fitz John Porter, and other participants ; vividaccountsofChancellorsville, Gettysburg, andVicksburgby Union and Confederate fighters (including, of course. Grant and Longstreet); and portrayals of the Wilderness and later campaigns through 1864 to the bitter end in the spring of 1865. These are but a few of the many components. The four volumes contain more than 300 articles by approximately 250 writers. Once again I call to your attention those forgotten men, Buel and Johnson of die Century staff; undoubtedly they encountered a task far exceeding their original plan...