A Civil War Treasury of Tales, Legends and Folklore (review)

Book Reviews213 battlefields. What has been overlooked has been the fact that Civil War armies operated in military departments and that combat was only one—although probably the most important—of the activities of a departmental commander who might or might not also be the field commander. As Jones points out: "Few seem to comprehend the magnitude and scope (and thus the tremendous responsibility) of directing an army in all its activities, such as strategy, supply, and organization, and in all its relations, such as civil, political , and legal, and also in the organization's entirety, in the South, on the frontier, in reserve." The viewpoint of the present study seems to be part way between field and departmental headquarters. What we need are departmental studies, made from the viewpoint of departmental headquarters, if we are to understand the movements of armies and seemingly inexplicable hesitations and frustrations of commanders. With such studies, the functions of the political generals, such as John A. Dix, will become more understandable, and the problems of the higher direction of the war will fall into focus. The author would have benefited if he had looked more closely at Pope's experiences in military government and civil relations in northern Missouri in 1861-62. Missouri seethed with unrest, violent neighborhood hatreds, guerrilla warfare, and intense political factionalism, and even a neutral course was impossible for a commander. Pope learned military-civil relations there in a hard school and the Northwest must have seemed restful in comparison. That Pope, a professional army officer, was not anxious to extend his power and to supplant the civil authorities may seem odd in view of notions about "militarism "; yet, American officers have generally shrunk from exercising the functions of military government. Perhaps we need a fresh look at our experiences in military government, especially military government by the Northern armies during the Civil War. The traditional viewpoint, which reflects the opinions of the governed, has been that Northern military government was wholly bad. But from the Northern viewpoint military government was a success, for occupied areas were governed effectively enough so that Northern soldiers sufficient in number to defeat the Confederate field armies were freed from occupation duties. The author presents his views in a pleasant style. Maps of the territories, military departments, the Indians of the Northwest Plains areas, and Minnesota and vicinity for 1862, and of the campaigns of 1863 and 1864, appendices of troop organization and disposition, and an adequate index add to the usefulness of the book, which is recommended for those interested in the Northwest frontier or in military administration during the Civil War. Rodney C. Loehr University of Minnesota A Civil War Treasury of Tales, Legends and Folklore. Edited by B. A. Botldn. (New York: Random House, 1960. Pp. xv, 625. $7.95.) For decades after the Civil War partisan accounts of that conflict were in 214CIVIL WA R HISTORY vogue; but in 1877 a commercial publisher, anxious to sell the same set of books to Northerner and Southerner, developed an appealing interpretation of the war. In Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, former Union and Confederate leaders were nobly heroic, the causes of both sides were just, and Americans could unite in common praise for the men and ideals of their tragic war. This collection of personal narratives, tall stories, and legends continues the noble and heroic tradition of the Civil War era. Both Lincoln and Davis are sincere, kindhearted executives; Northern and Southern generals are humane , gentìe leaders; nurses of the North and South are sympathetic, understanding women; Negroes are simple, pathetic souls; and even deserters are to be pitied rather than condemned. Editor Botkin, however, is a master at collecting and presenting folklore. Beginning with different accounts of Lincoln 's trip to Washington in 1861, the editor presents a year-by-year chronology of stories and anecdotes witii the gleanings for each year arranged under subject tides. The selections for 1862 total more than those of any other year and the "Aftermath" or "A Good War Dies Hard" is the smallest section of the book. In these stories famous individuals walk the stage side by side with character...