PDF From First to Last: The Life of William B. Franklin (The North's Civil War) by Mark A. Snell in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Maj. Gen. William B. FranklinBy BomojazIt appears William Buel Franklin; as a battle commander; had all the faults of George B. McClellan (very conservative; overly cautious; slow to action) and not a thread of his one finest quality (self-promotion). Mark Snell's excellent biography explores the man in all his controversy; but also making clear his positive qualities too; especially his role as a surveyor and engineer. Perhaps; as Snell points out; the qualities that Franklin fostered that made him an excellent engineer (studiousness; meticulousness) became liabilities when he was commanding troops on the field in the heat of battle.Franklin was born in Pennsylvania in 1823. After graduating from West Point in 1843 (first in his class); he was with Kearny as a surveyor during the Mexican War. He was involved with a number of engineering projects around Washington; DC; including being in charge of construction of the Capitol dome. After the war broke out he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and saw action at First Bull Run and in the Peninsular Campaign. He was promoted to Major General in July 1862. At Fredericksburg in December of that year; Franklin led 50;000 men across the Rappahannock on the Union left; but made little headway against the fierce fighting; later Burnside charged Franklin with disobedience and blamed him (both unfairly) for the Union disaster that resulted there. The charge; later upheld by the Committee on the Conduct of the War; ruined his military reputation. Wounded at Sabine Cross Roads in April 1864; Franklin saw little action for the rest of the war. After the war he became vice-president and general manager of the Colt Firearms Company in Hartford and engineered the building of the Connecticut state capitol. He died in 1903.It's probably fair to say that Franklin was a mediocre general. Snell believes that he was good at following orders; but not in acting independently when a situation called for it. The disaster at Fredericksburg seems to be an instance when Franklin followed orders TOO closely (Burnside's orders were not very clear to start with). Snell's account of Franklin's life is scholarly (it's based on his doctoral dissertation); but interesting and written with style. There are lots of photos included. Not much has been written about Franklin (I think this might be the only book-length study); and it's a worthy addition to anyone's Civil War library.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating cast of Civil War personalities!By Tom BarrettFranklin's life reads like an action-adventure story! Using previously undiscovered letters and meticulous research of the period; Mark Snell has brought to light a man whose life parallels the development of the United States through the 19th century. As an infant; William B. Franklin had been kissed by Lafayette and given; as were the fledgling United States; the blessing of that great proponent of American independence. Graduating first in his class at West Point; Franklin pursued an Army career in the Corps of Topographical Engineers; deeply involved in building the infrastructure which would support and define America's burgeoning industrial economy . . . mapping western territories and surveying Great Lake shorelines; building innovative coastal lighthouses; and serving as project manager for the DC capitol dome. At the outbreak of the Civil War; Franklin advised the Lincoln administration on how to expand the Regular Army; just the beggining of his interaction with many of the "big dogs" in that political and military struggle. He rose in rank and was a principal player in some of the war's most renown campaigns: First Bull Run; the Peninsula Campaign; Second Bull Run; Fredericksburg; the Red River Campaign. He was even captured by Confederates and made a daring escape!Of most interest to Civil War aficionados; Snell disputes Franklin's alleged "failure" at Fredericksburg and presents a solid argument for his true failure during the Maryland Campaign. Had Franklin been more aggressive following his success at Crampton's Gap on September 14; 1862; McClellan might have trounced Lee thoroughly at Sharpsburg; surely shortening the war. New information on Franklin's participation in the Red River Campaign is also fascinating. Following the war; Franklin ventured into a life of public service and business -- such as overseeing The National Home for Disabled Veterans and managing the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company -- and finally bowed out gracefully with the beginning of the new century.This is a fair and objective biography of a truly selfless patriot; whose life teaches us about the century during which America defined itself as a nation; a man whose vigor; enthusiasm; and accomplishment matched that of the dynamic era during which he lived.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An excellent biography.By Michael J. SopherBefore I read this book; the name William Buell Franklin meant little. All I knew was that he was a Union commander at Fredericksburg. The rest of Franklin's war service was a mystery to me. Thank God I read this book.Franklin's reputation before this book can be compared to other Union generals such as George McClellan. Unfairly criticized for the Union losses in the eastern theater; McClellan has been the focal blame for the Union's lack of success in the early part of the war. In comparison; Franklin's inability to break through Jackson's lines at Fredericksburg has scarred his name until recently. Taking unjustifiable blame for this defeat; the Pennsylvanian never regained full respect for his illustrious war service.What's even more impressive about this book is its commitment to the truth. Snell's study illustrates Franklin's strengths and failures throughout the war. Surely; the Maryland Campaign was not Franklin's finest hour as a commander; but Snell refuses to put entire blame on the general for his inability to rescue Harpers Ferry; unlike other historians of the campaign.One can admire the entire life of this Union general. His service to his home and country has finely been noticed. Though still seen as the "scapegoat" of Fredericksburg; Franklin now has a fair biography that will certainly be the best out there for years to come.