Songs of the Civil War (review)

Book Reviews93 temporary documents the terrible story of the American Civil War. Their judicious selection of materials, their sparkling running commentary (constituting perhaps a fourth of the book), and where required for understanding , their choice of excerpts from the world of scholarship, make this an exceedingly attractive offering for the centennial period. Though the editors are willing to pass judgment on men and events, it is unlikely that they will be accused of bias, Northern or Southern. One of the delights of their presentation is the placing side by side of contradictory evidence or attitudes, with the resolution to be made in the mind of the reader. As might well be expected, the major emphasis is on military events, but there is room aplenty for foreign affairs, Lincoln's struggle with emancipation , treatment of the Negro, prison life, the home fronts with their constantly shifting public opinion, disloyal opposition, corruption, and the increasing brutality of the war. For one of the few times in a general work, the United States and the Confederacy west of the Mississippi and the high seas of the world are not neglected. The big brass and the little people are all here: civilians, nurses, prisoners of war, correspondents, housewives, politicians , preachers, ex-slaves, spies; in fact, all sorts of participants and nonparticipants are allowed to have their say. There is room enough to place in proper perspective the classic utterances—"I had rather die than be whipped ." "It was my fault this time." "The people call upon me to save the country." "It looks like a church, but it is now a lunatic asylum." "What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship." The constant matching of wits between Lincoln and Davis as spokesmen for their sections, and the larger trends of the war, such as the shift in Northern aims from Union to Freedom to Equality, are duly noted. Beautifully boxed and printed, with an adequate supply of maps and charts, Tragic Years is the exciting presentation by two experts who leave no doubt of their mastery of the voluminous materials of the Civil War era. It is difficult to praise too highly the facility with which the editors move through emotional waters and the wit and charm which are sustained to the very end. It may be that the time has passed when anything new may be expected about the Civil War, and it is also probable that nothing better of its kind will be forthcoming than the two volumes at hand. James W. Silver University of Mississippi Songs of the Civil War. Compiled and edited by Irwin Silber. Piano and guitar arrangements by Jerry Silverman. (New York: Columbia University Press, I960. Pp. 385. $7.50.) The editor of any collection of words and music from the past must select his materials with either the general public or a limited group of specialists in mind. While this volume does not appear to be the result of an intentional compromise between the needs of these two unlike types of readers, the treatment of its contents would indicate that some concession has been 94CIVIL WAR HISTORY made in the interests of attracting a large audience. I have no quarrel with success; I do feel, however, that this large audience is more imaginary than real. Apparently it is the hope of the editor that these songs will be sung by groups of people who gather around a piano, or sing to guitar accompaniment, lustily recalling "When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea," or shedding a few musical tears over "Somebody's Darling." The piano accompaniments have, in general, been so reduced from the florid patterns of the original versions that most of them are simpler than the average hymn tune—a procedure that places them within the grasp of almost any parlor pianist. Still, I find it difficult to imagine any large use of this volume in such a fashion. Not only has this type of singing declined throughout our country; the interests of those with whom it has survived do not tend toward the musical recall of incidents that have no popular appeal to this generation. Furthermore, many of...