Description
Book SynopsisOffers a narrative of Zachary Taylor’s Mexican War campaign, from the formation of his army in 1844 to his last battle in 1847, with emphasis on the 163 men in his “Army of Occupation” who became Confederate or Union generals in the Civil War. It clarifies what being a Mexican War veteran meant to them, how they interacted, how they performed their duties, and how they reacted under fire.
Trade ReviewTrailing Clouds of Glory is an essential addition to any Mexican War library because of its focus on Taylor. It is also a useful addition to the growing effort to move beyond generalizations and determine the specifics of the influence Mexico had on Civil War leadership."" —
Civil War Book Review“This study of Zachary Taylor’s campaign in northern Mexico makes a significant contribution to the history of this often forgotten war. The work reads well, is organized logically, is argued effectively, and is rooted in extensive primary research.” —Timothy D. Johnson, author of
Winfield Scott: The Quest for Military Glory and
A Gallant Little Army: The Mexico City Campaign“Readers who enjoy a more traditional approach . . . will delight in Lewis's volume. By design, the narrative emphasizes regulars and officers. She details the dated arrival and departure of various companies and regiments, along with the deployment, command, retirement, injury, and death among officers ranked from general to lieutenant. Her research is most impressive, the footnotes rich in primary sources, congressional and War Department documents, but especially the personal papers and diaries of the participants. She is also aware of and engaged with current scholarship, a point reflected in her extensive bibliography and throughout the volume where she parries thrusts against the military reputation of Old Zach.” —
H-Net Reviews
