One of the South's most illustrious military leaders; Wade Hampton III was for a time the commander of all Lee's cavalry and at the end of the war was the highest-ranking Confederate cavalry officer. Yet for all Hampton's military victories; he also suffered devastating losses in his family and personal life. Rod Andrew's critical biography sheds light on his central role during Reconstruction as a conservative white leader; governor; U.S. senator; and Redeemer; his heroic image in the minds of white southerners; and his positions and apparent contradictions on race and the role of African Americans in the New South. Andrew also shows that Hampton's tragic past explains how he emerged in his own day as a larger-than-life symbol--of national reconciliation as well as southern defiance.
#1382786 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2001-06-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .85 x 6.42 x 9.52l; 1.30 #File Name: 080782626X280 pages
Review
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful. A Focused; Original Perspective on the Army of the OhioBy Brian SThis book is focused and trenchant; and it succeeds in illuminating some basic questions (the 'how's and 'why's of Civil War army dynamics; and how they affected the flow of battles); and best of all it raises many interesting points; and leaves the reader thinking anew. It is an interesting dichotomy that the story is of discreet regiments and companies of the Army of the Ohio 'formed into a blunt instrument'; and that Buell and his key commanders remain indispensible elements in the story. The army commander's and officers' struggle to fulfill their true roll (drill the troops in a systematic way; create and encourage espirit de corps for the army; and of course - develop a plan of campaign and act - with alacrity!) seems to be a sub-theme of the entire book.Another re-curring theme is the power of perception - the strength that the Army of the Ohio drew from their steady diet of success up until Perryville.Casual readers of this or that battle account from that war become de-sensitized to the big numbers (30;000 troops; or 60;000; or 100;000...and casualties in the thousands after single engagements) and maybe never give any thought at all to the enormously complex enterprise of creating such an army; and supplying it; and manuevering it; let alone bringing it to bear and fighting it in an effective way.This book includes interesting accounts of the battles at Shiloh and Perryville; and of an epic march between Nashville and Louisville as it happened to the Army of the Ohio.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Shipped quickly. Textbook for my son. The author ...By paldridgeShipped quickly. Textbook for my son. The author is his professor.9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Flawed but ReadabelBy James W. DurneyThis is a good account of the building of regiments and brigades in the early years of the war. Using the Army of the Ohio as a model; the author gives a good account of the raising; equipping and training of a regiment. This is the book's strongest point and much of its' value. If this justifies spending $37.50; is an open question. After reading the book; I'm not sure that I have an answer for you.The Army of the Ohio's role at Shiloh is still being debated. The author comes down firmly on saving Grant's army; over the secondary role many historians assign it. The question isn't debated as much as stated with little more than a nod to the other side. This caused no little upset with the reviewer; as it contradicted other histories without providing real answers as to why.The frustrations of campaigning between Shiloh and the invasion of Kentucky are explained. The army was used not so much as a weapon but as a construction crew. Isolated garrisons; poorly lead and badly trained were no match for the hard riding raiders of Morgan and Forrest. Both of these men built reputations at the expense of this army. The author manages to show how decisions made months before caused many of the problems at this time. Political appointees do not make a regimental commander or a fighter. More than one surrender caused army wide embarrassment and strained the fragile ties between units.Bragg's invasion of Kentucky; the political implications and the impact on the 1862 election are not developed. Neither is a good explanation of the battle of Perryville provided. Without reading Noe's excellent book; I'm not sure you can understand what is going on. This is the weakest part of the book and the most vital; as the army is really tested during this time. The army passed this test; if not with flying colors at least with a clear victory. How much Bragg contributed to this victory isn't talked about either; leaving another hole in the book. The Kentucky Campaign of 1862 is one of the worst offensive operations the CSA mounted. Plagued by divisions in leadership; fuzzy thinking and unrealistic expectations "Kentucky fever" came to a crashing halt from Frankfort to Richmond. The battle of Perryville is a confused; chaotic battle with little direction by either commander. The failure of Union leadership is covered but the failure of Confederate leadership isn't mentioned. This cheats Bragg; as major problems caused by Smith and Polk may have caused the failure more than the poor decisions on his part.Missing is a detailed account of Jefferson C. Davis killing William Nelson. This event; where Davis gets away with murder; and the impact it had on the army prior to Perryville deserves a book. In addition; the relief of Buell on the eve of the Perryville campaign is hardly mentioned. George Thomas' refusal to assume command and the impact on him aren't covered either.Over all is Don Carlos Buell; commander of the Army of the Ohio. "Don Carlos" was a McClellan supporter but lacked his style and ability to build bridges to his men. However; he shared the soft war ideas and enforced a policy of appeasement that turned the army against him. Nothing Buell did worked; as it should have within his army. He built strong regiments but never managed to build higher formations. His appointments didn't work out but Buell either kept them in position or assigned them more responsibility. These generals usually failed at a critical point in a battle or managed to really upset the men. Both contributed to Buell's problems; which he seems unable to recognize and/or address. Always asking for more; unwilling to take real risks and saddled with a Washington priority in loyalist Eastern Tennessee; Buell cannot command and reacts to McClellan; Halleck and Lincoln. Over showed by Grant; Don Carlos has become a forgotten man. He missed every major battle his army fought in. Failed to understand the change in direction the war was taking and refused to implement the new policies. Unable to hear the battle at Perryville; Buell sits and fumes about the waste of cannon ammunition but send no office forward to investigate. Removed from command; Buell is left to justify his actions in the face of life long hostility from his veterans.This is a very readable and enjoyable book. The author writes well; keeps the story moving and supports his points. I didn't find the size of the book to be a problem or get the feeling that the story was truncated either. Most of the book is on good solid historical ground. The earlier battles are well done and provide the stepping-stones to the larger battles to come. However the author never gets a grip on these large battles. This is the place where the size of the book might become a problem. An additional hundred pages could have give the coverage Shiloh and Perryville need and added one or more stars to the review.In the end William Stark Rosecrans; fresh from Mississippi; assumes command and the Army of the Ohio becomes the Army of the Cumberland. Larry J. Daniel's book "Days of Glory" for $44.95 is a much better and more complete history.
