audiobook In Deadly Earnest: The History of the First Missouri Brigade; Csa by Phil Gottschalk in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy DJMissouri troops at their fighting best.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book on Cockrell's famed Missouri BrigadeBy Jonathan WellerIn Deadly Earnest: The History of the First Missouri Brigade; CSA; by Phil Gottschalk; is the essential work on Francis Cockrell’s famed Missouri Brigade during the American Civil War. The work is definitely thorough and dense in several spots; but it never really bogs the reader down to a point of losing interest. This amazing body of fighting men has too long been relegated to the back-burners of American history; and I am certain with this book that will be rectified.Phil Gottschalk uses a wide array of sources and documents to bring to life the missions that made the several thousand members of the brave Missouri Tiger Brigade one of the most endearing fighting forces of the war. Missouri; as many will know; never seceded from the Union and as such the roughly 40;000 men who fought for the Southern Confederacy became a second “orphan” brigade. Though their numbers never swelled to that of Virginia; North Carolina or Georgia; the Missouri Brigade earned a reputation and record that even surpassed the vaunted “Stonewall” Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia.In Deadly Earnest covers every aspect that a casual reader could ever ask for when studying Cockrell’s Missouri Brigade. The book is informative and descriptive—sometimes to a fault—but it provides such detailed and hard-to-find information that it makes it worthwhile to trudge through. The book effectively works its way chronologically through the brigade’s inception and early campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas; but when the book gets to the battles of Grand Gulf and Champion Hill; in 1863; it begins to shine a light on why these guys are viewed as the elite of the elite. The book guides the reader through all the bitter struggles that Cockrell’s Brigade endured during the war; and poignantly showcases the brigade’s acrimonious end at the battles of Franklin and Nashville.The record of hard fought campaigns and dedication to duty by the Missouri Brigade is really unsurpassed throughout the war by either side; and reading this book really hammers home the realities of what these brave Americans endured throughout four years of brutal civil war. I have always been fascinated by Francis Marion Cockrell and his brigade of stoic warriors; and reading Gottschalk’s book has only increased my admiration tenfold. This book will encompass an extreme amount of detail regarding the formation; recruiting; expansion; and combat record of the brigade; but in the end it will be all the better for the reader. It is a lot to digest—undoubtedly; but it really provides in-depth information on a too long forgotten body of elite warriors.This book is definitely for any fans of the American Civil War—and especially the western theater of operations. The book provides overview and depth of this amazing brigade of Missouri warriors; and after reading this book I am certain that if Francis Marion Cockrell and his Brigade of the 1st; 2nd; 3rd; 4th; 5th; and 6th Missouri Infantry had served with “Marse” Robert in Virginia; they would have made units like the “Texas” and “Stonewall” Brigades look like amateurs. This is just a great book that sheds much needed light on an amazing group of American warriors. I suggest you get it and read it; and then you can argue with your friends or roundtables groups about what unit really was the most elite throughout the South during the war.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Missouri's first Tigers!By Ozark Trail OutriderIn 1990; while working in the Missouri Historical Society; I came across an accession card referring to the flag of the Missouri Brigade. The flag apparently had not been well cared for and was nothing remained but tatters wrapped around a staff. But the description of a rampant tiger was thrilling.In the years that followed; I became very interested in the accomplishments of this fabled Confederate Brigade. As many know; there are scarce books about the Missouri Brigade. Well Gottschalk's book redresses this more than adequately.The volume covers the entire history of the Missouri Brigade from its inception as part of the Missouri Home Guard to it's bloody end at Franklin.It is the definitive accounting of one of the "Orphan Brigades" of the Southern Confederacy. And truly; the Missouri Brigade fought with courage and competence throughtout the maelstrom of the American Civil War.It remains one of the most cherished volumes in my Civil War Library. Add it to yours today!