Military Bibliography of the Civil War (review)

BOOK REVIEWS81 a result not only does he present important new facts but demolishes certain old myths. Just to cite one example, despite having been written about many times, it is not until now that we have the full and true story of the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson. Of course the book is not without some errors and defects. Contrary to what is reported on page 239, Sterling Price did not refuse to join Van Dom in a move through West Tennessee, nor did Van Dom stop Price "on the eve of a march on Nashville." Connelly, in his desire to be fair to Bragg, is perhaps unjust to Kirby Smith; certainly one will find a fundamentally different account of Kirby Smith's role in the 1862 Kentucky campaign in Joseph Parks's biography. Aldiough the book contains five maps, the reader will find it advisable to have a Civil War atlas at hand. And Connelly has a habit of citing sources in manuscript even when they are readily available in print. Unless there are serious textual differences between the original and published versions, this practice would seem to be unnecessary, rather pedantic, and potentially frustrating to the student interested in checking on sources. But these are all minor criticisms. The Army of the Heartland adds significantly to our knowledge and understanding of a vital segment of the Civil War. It is, without question, one of die best military studies of the war to appear in a long time, and it establishes Connelly as the authority on his subject. I am sure I will not be alone in looking forward eagerly to the publication of the second volume. Albert Castel Western Michigan University Military Bibliography of the Civil War. Volume Two. Compiled by C. E. Dornbusch. (New York: The New York Public Library, 1967. Pp. XÜL 270. $10.00.) This long-awaited compilation is Volume II of Regimental Publications ir Personal Narratives of the Civil War: A Checklist. The title has been changed because compiler Charles Dornbusch "has broadened the scope of the original plane of Volume I." In so doing, he has greatly enhanced an already valuable bibliography. The first volume, published in seven parts in 1961-1962, listed extant books, articles and monographs for northern units (principally regiments). Arranged by state, the guide received wide acclaim from every historian who delves into the Federal ranks. The improvement made by Mr. Dornbusch over the woefully outdated Bibliography of State Participation in the Civil War was widespread and obvious. Yet, diis second volume is not just a similar bibliography for the southern and Trans-Mississippi states. It also contains the available printed works on regular army regiments, Negro units, volunteer forces, and Federal regiments organized in the South. In addition, an 83-page bibliography provides extremely lucrative leads on 82CIVIL WAR HISTORY Federal and Confederate commanders all the way down to brigade level. An index makes the entire compilation more usable and useful. Mr. Dornbusch demonstrates here the same meticulous care to detail that characterized his first volume. Working under the auspices of the Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, he has combed national and local depositories in quest of printed sources for every Civil War unit. Many unknown and elusive documents have thus been catalogued. For some units and lesser-known individuals, a surprising amount of materials emerges. Conversely, several historians—like this reviewer—will bemoan the total lack of printed sources for such notable regiments as the 5th Georgia, 19th South Carolina, and 48th Virginia. A third and concluding volume, now in preparation, will contain bibliographies of general references, armed forces, campaigns and battles, plus a comprehensive index (presumably of all three volumes). Mr. Dornbusch has already performed a superb service for Civil War military historians. His final volume will be but icing on a richly endowed cake. James I. Robertson, Jr. Virginia Polytechnic Institute At Ease in Zion: A Social History of Southern Baptists, 1865-1900. By Rufus B. Spain. (Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 1967. Pp. xiv, 247. $6.95.) Some of us outside of Zion may be uneasy about the main title of this book, but the author seems at ease with his theme...