The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 96, July 1992 - April, 1993 Page: 614
681 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
time of serious study. Whenever possible, he avoids the two-dimensional view
and focuses instead on the sort of deep perspectives that the committed scholar
brings to his subject. Consider his observations on the purpose of Union diplo-
macy (the assurance of European non-belligerence), on Confederate finances
(grossly inadequate and very short-sighted), and on political intrigue on both
sides (amateurish, bungled, and rarely patriotic). It should be added that he car-
ries his erudition as lightly as his pen and complements rather than intrudes up-
on the narrative.
In sum, both books are worthy, and both deserve to be read, but not necessari-
ly by the same readers. Leckie's book might be read with profit by any intelligent
layman. It would make an excellent gift for one who has a real interest in but
perhaps not an extensive knowledge of the war. Conversely, if one wanted to re-
ward, let us say, an historian, or a dedicated member of the Civil War Round-
table, or perhaps a solid and talented journalist who both loves history and
knows a bit of it, Roland's book would be the better choice.
Southwest Texas State Unzversity JAMES W. POHL
The Civil War in the American West. By Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. (New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, 1991. Pp. xiv+448. Introduction, maps, notes, bibliography, index.
$27.00.)
Although names such as Valverde, Pea Ridge, Mansfield, Albuquerque, Sabine
Pass, Peralta, and Apache Canyon are sprinkled throughout Ken Burns's bril-
liant nine-part Civil War documentary, there is little if any attention devoted to
the war in the Trans-Mississippi in the eleven-hour series. Even Westport on the
Missouri-Kansas border, where in October 1864 29,000 men fought in the
largest battle west of the Mississippi, receives scant attention. The same is true of
Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks's Bayou Teche offensive in 1863 and his more im-
portant Red River campaign the following year.
Anyone wanting to learn more about the war west of the Mississippi will want
to read Alvin M. Josephy's recent volume on the subject. The reader rides with
the Confederate Cherokee and Gen. Stand Waite; experiences the horrors of
the 1862 Sioux rebellion in Minnesota; comes to pity Black Kettle and his
Cheyenne as Col. John M. Chivington does his dirty work at Sand Creek, Col-
orado, in 1864; reels at Gen. James Carleton's repression of the Mescalero
Apache and Navajo in New Mexico and Arizona territories in 1863 and 1864;
and is equally revolted by Gen. Patrick E. Connor and the Second California
Cavalry's massacre of a peaceful Shoshone tribe at Bear River, Idaho Territory,
in January 1863. Then there is the always colorful Col. Christopher "Kit" Carson.
Carson hoists the stars and stripes over Taos Plaza as he boldly proclaims his loy-
alty to the Union, resigns as Indian agent, puts on the blue uniform of the First
New Mexico Volunteers, rallies his Nuevo Mejicanos at Valverde, and then leads
General Carleton's ruthless scorched-earth campaign against the Navajo in
1864.614
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 96, July 1992 - April, 1993, periodical, 1993; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101215/m1/684/?rotate=90: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.