Civil War in Tennessee is the forth Civil War book I have reviewed in this series. Like Civil War in Texas and New Mexico Territory, this volume was written by Steve Cottrell and illustrated by Andy Thomas.
This edition revisits the major battles, along with some minor actions, as they occurred in the “Volunteer State.” Steve makes a great effort to simply tell an historically accurate account of events without expressing any political or partisan opinions. By his own account, “The fact that I have ancestors who fought on both sides in the war helps me to be fairly non-biased in my accounts.” However, he does note that he had a great-great grandfather who served in Tennessee during the war.
At first, Tennessee was not overly interested in secession. However, when the Confederacy declared its secession from the United State, President Lincoln called upon Tennessee to send soldiers to help bring the southern state back into the Union. Tennesseans felt the southern states had the right to secede quietly if they so chose and did not like the idea of the Union using force to keep the south as part of the United State. Thus the people chose to align themselves with the south and join the Confederacy. Thus begins the story of the Civil War in Tennessee.
Cottrell wrote this tome in the same easy-to-ready story book style in which the other Civil War books of this series were written. Take the following excerpt regarding Lt. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest:
“As Forrest neared the safety of his own line, he flung his captive to the ground and proceeded to begin his rapid recovery from a wound that would have ended the military career of most men. Thus, the astounding Rebel warrior, who was already turning himself into a legend, became the last man wounded in the Shiloh conflict.”
Each line of the story is captivating. The entire series provides an internal examination into the lives of both soldiers and citizen living in and around the events of America’s bloodiest conflict. This book brings you right into the story. You get a feel for what it was like for people living in these states at that time. The book is engaging and educational at the same time. If only all history books were written this way.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Storm Clouds Gather: 1861
Chapter 2 War’s Brutal Fury: 1862
Chapter 3 By Force of Arms: 1863
Chapter 4 Hard March to Destiny: 1864
Afterword: Reconstruction in Tennessee
Bibliography
Index of Battles and Skirmishes
Learn more for yourself through the fantastic stories told in Civil War in Tennessee, available from Family Roots Publishing; Item #:PP244, Price: $14.65.
Look for these other Civil War history books as reviewed on this site:
The Civil War — One State at a Time
Does the author mention that the state when both ways? My 2nd great grandfather was from Tennessee and fought for the Union. He was from Campbell County.