The heroic story of an outstanding divisional commander for the
Confederacy in the Army of Tennessee. Symonds (History/US Naval
Academy; Joseph E. Johnson: A Civil War Biography, 1992) combines
well researched narrative history and biography with a highly
readable style in exploring the life of this exceptional man.
Cleburne was, as the narrative demonstrates, reliable, cool, and
reserved under extreme hardship but passionate in battle. Leaving
his starving homeland, Ireland, in the bitter year of 1849 after
service in the British Army, Cleburne emigrated to the US and
became a hard-working member of the frontier community in Helena,
Ark. When the Civil War started, this accidental Southerner joined
the Confederate forces and soon distinguished himself as an
inspirational leader, displaying both courage and judgment. Symonds
describes his gallantry in such battles as Shiloh, Chickamauga, and
Kenasaw Mountain. Even though Jefferson Davis called him "the
Stonewall of the West," and Robert E. Lee described him as a
"meteor shining from a clouded sky," Cleburne, being foreign-born
and an outspoken critic of ineffective officers (including his own
commander), was often passed over for promotion. He also stirred
controversy when he proposed abolishing slavery and enlisting
ex-slaves in the army. Despite his disappointments, he achieved a
superb record as an innovative division commander and was faithful
to the Southern cause. After the capture of Atlanta, though the war
had clearly been lost, the army's new commander fought on, rashly
expending lives. Cleburne, though aware of the likely outcome,
stayed with his troops and was killed at the Battle of Franklin at
the age of 36. A fine addition to Civil War literature and a
deserved tribute to a remarkable career. (Kirkus Reviews)
To Jefferson Davis, he was the "Stonewall of the West"; to Robert
E. Lee, he was "a meteor shining from a clouded sky"; and to
Braxton Bragg, he was an officer "ever alive to a success." He was
Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, one of the greatest of all Confederate
field commanders.
An Irishman by birth, Cleburne emigrated to the United States in
1849 at the age of 21. He achieved only modest success in the
peacetime South, but rose rapidly in the wartime army to become the
Confederacy's finest division commander. He was admired by peers
and subordinates alike for his leadership, loyalty, honesty, and
fearlessness in the face of enemy fire. The valor of his command
was so inspirational that his unit alone was allowed to carry its
own distinctive battle flag.
In "Stonewall of the West," Craig Symonds offers the first
full-scale critical biography of this compelling figure. He
explores all the sources of Cleburne's commitment to the Southern
cause, his growth as a combat leader from Shiloh to Chickamauga,
and his emergence as one of the Confederacy's most effective field
commanders at Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, and Pickett's Mill.
In addition, Symonds unravels the "mystery" of Spring Hill and
recounts Cleburne's dramatic and untimely death (at the age of 36)
at Franklin, Tennessee, where he charged the enemy line on foot
after having two horses shot from under him.
Symonds also explores Cleburne's role in the complicated
personal politics of the Army of Tennessee, as well as his
astonishing proposal that the decimated Confederate ranks be filled
by ending slavery and arming blacks against the Union.
Symonds' definitive and immensely readable narrative casts new
light on Cleburne, on the Army of Tennessee, and on the Civil War
in the West. It finally and firmly establishes Cleburne's rightful
place in the pantheon of Southern military heroes.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
