The Confederacy (review)

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 actors to portray samplings of almost every phase of the war years. Lincoln has difficulty in raising a flag, grants the wish of a "Fair Rebel," exposes himself to danger on the battlefield, visits Richmond, and becomes immortal in death. Davis is inaugurated, quells a bread riot, and is captured and imprisoned . Lee shares the spotlight with Grant; "Stonewall" Jackson fights, prays, and dies; and cavalry officers dart on and off the scene. Nameless soldiers at the front and their women at home tell of problems and of their adjustments to wartime conditions. Slaves react to the Emancipation Proclamation , Mother Bickerdyke demonstrates her influence as a nurse, and spy Belle Boyd aids General Jackson. There is pathos in many of these accounts and most of the anecdotes bring smiles rather than hearty laughter. The more than diree hundred selections range in length from one-fourth to many pages. Many compilations of Civil War stories exist but the distinction of this volume lies in the refreshing authenticity of contemporary sources and the wide sampling of various types of narratives and folklore. One can spend a few minutes or an evening with these interesting tales. Rembert W. Patrick University of Florida The Confederacy. By Charles P. Roland. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1960. Pp. ix, 218. $3.95.) This little book, a volume in the Chicago History of American Civilization series, presents the whole life of the Confederacy on a small slate and dots the background with considerable detail. Here one sees the interplay of Confederate strength and weakness—nationalism and localism, sobriety and frivol- Book Reviews215 ity, boldness and timidity, vision and blindness. The knack of treating somany facets without confusion of detail, and at the same time retaining a clear picture ofthe whole, is the author's main success and the book's main strength. On the other hand this book adds little if anything to our knowledge of the Confederacy. Nor does it supersede Coulter's Confederate States (1950) or Eaton's Southern Confederacy (1956). It is no more interesting than either of these works, and not nearly as comprehensive and original. Because of its affinity to these books it invites further comparison with them. Coulter's book is a much fuller, more original, more exciting treatment of Confederate life. Roland's book is better balanced, mostly because it gives a better relative treatment of Confederate military and diplomatic activities. Still, if one wishes to read about Confederate social, political, and economic life, he will choose Coulter. Eaton's book is more nearly the size and scope of Roland's. Yet Eaton is much more original, more keenly interpretative, with fresher material and more perceptive insights. He has the balance of Roland and is more entertaining to read. The book at hand, for its size, has adequate maps and illustrations. The bibliography is highly selected and very useful. It is competently done...