Charles Bracelen Flood's "GRANT AND SHERMAN: THE FRIENDSHIP THAT WON THE CIVIL WAR"
Book review by Dennis D. McDonald
Whether theirs was a friendship that “won the civil war” may be debatable. What’s not debatable is that these two developed decisionmaking styles and personalities that meshed even when they did not see each other for months and communicated only via courier, letter, or telegraph.
Were I to discern myself what made them successful in warmaking, it would be their understanding and appreciation of each others’ strengths and weaknesses — as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their own forces and those of their foes.
Both had spotty or at times questionable careers prior to the Civil War, especially Grant. Yet once in positions of authority they proved their military worth both tactically and strategically.
The information presented in this book may not be new to avid Civil War students but for an armchair historian like myself I felt throughly informed and entertained. Three highlights in particular stood out as I listened to the author read:
No maps. Some historic battle descriptions by other authors are excessively detailed and confusing even when accompanied by maps. Here there are no maps accompanying the recording but the author’s writing is nevertheless straightforward and understandable.
The press. You think today’s media are merciless when it comes to criticizing public figures? The newspapers in those days could one day praise Grant or Sherman like the Second Coming but the next day describe them as the Devil Incarnate. Tough crowd! (Lincoln may have paid attention to the political press but he did stick by his generals.)
The Grand Review. The author spends an inordinate number of words describing the massive parades in Washington DC following the Union victory. I’m glad he did. One description of that event describes the parades as a “catharsis;” that’s probably the best way to describe it. I have seen or been part of several huge gatherings in Washington DC which is across the river from Alexandria Virginia but nothing like that event. Hopefully there will never again be the need for such a celebration.
Review copyright (c) 2022 by Dennis D. McDonald