Description
Book SynopsisBased on nearly five decades of research, this work is a biographical register and analysis of the people who most directly influenced the course of the American Civil War, its high commanders.
Trade Review"Here is the reference work that Civil War historians have been waiting for. All arguments and confusion about full vs. brevet rank, seniority, jurisdiction, and dozens of other matters concerning military commanders and civilian officials in the Union and Confederacy are cleared up in this volume, which would have been as useful to Civil War contemporaries, if it had existed then, as it will be to modern students of the war."—James M. McPherson, Professor of History, Princeton University, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era"It is difficult to imagine the staggering amount of research that must have gone into the creation of this highly valuable reference work. All students of the military side of the Civil War, and especially those interested in the organizational structures and leading figures of the Union and Confederate high commands, should keep this volume near at hand."—Gary W. Gallagher, Nau Professor of History, University of Virginia
"
Civil War High Commands is a bibliophile's tour de force and a Civil War aficionado's dream. It combines in a single volume concise biographical information on nearly 4,000 of the war's movers and shakers, be they politicians, soldiers, or sailors. But that is not all. The authors include invaluable data that is necessary to an understanding of the mid-19th century military, its command structure, and mystique."—Edwin C. Bearss, Historian Emeritus, National Park Service
"The Eichers have devoted years to assembling their fascinating array of facts. . . . Rarely is a sound and practical reference book so much fun to use."—from the foreword by John Y. Simon, editor of
The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant"This important new work is a welcome addition to the field of Civil War literature, and will without a doubt become the standard tool for research in questions related to high command in the Union and Confederate militaries and governments. . . . This book is highly recommended for every library that treats the Civil War in any respect. It should also be considered for the private libraries of Civil War buffs."—
American Reference Books Annual"Besides being a truly handy reference work, the Eichers' book is simply great fun to peruse, but beware: looking up one tidbit may lead you to browse and read for a very long time."—
The Journal of Southern History"...it is an enormously valuable reference guide to the command structure of both sides during the Civil War."—
The NYMAS ReviewTable of ContentsForeword Preface Abbreviations, acronyms, symbols and military lexicon Organization Bibliographies Grades and rank Command structure Chronology of some important civil war dates Short title bibliography Bibliography Name index.
