The common image of the Confederate Army during the Civil War (1861-1865) is dominated by a limited number of early photographs of officers and men wearing the gray and butternut associated with the CS regulations and quartermaster issues. This sequence of books examines a much wider field: the original uniforms of the state militia and volunteer companies brought together to form the Confederate field armies; and the continuing efforts to clothe troops as wear-and-tear gradually reduced the originally wide range of uniforms. A mass of information from contemporary documents is illustrated with rare photographs and meticulous color reconstructions.
#2626028 in Books Pen and Sword 2009-09-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.30 x 6.20l; 1.54 #File Name: 1844159221336 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Every topic imaginable covered.By Nicholas RobertsHere is a great and definitive book about the defense of France in 1814. It covers the mobilization effort made; the tactics to defend; and the actual campaign. This is only the first half however and you can get this information anywhere else in a book on the wars. The real substance comes in the second half of the book. Here Uffindell talks about numerous topics. One is Napoleon's performance during the campaign and differing viewpoints on that subject. He talks about the partisan effort made by French citizens to defend the frontiers in more depth than I had seen anywhere else. Civilians and how they were caught up in the crossfire were also covered. The damage to property and even the reconstructions process was reviewed in great detail. The military occupation itself by the Allies was covered in another chapter. In the end this is not a basic run of the mill military campaign story; rather it is the whole story and everyone is covered.9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Fresh look at 1814By John HamillWith a trip to France planned; I bought this book in the hopes that it would contain detailed battle descriptions that would help me tour the 1814 battlefields. That isn't what I got; but that's okay. Although I was disappointed in terms of the level of detail in the battle descriptions; I was instead very impressed by the broad view and understanding that I gained about the campaign. Having read at least one other of Uffindell's books; I expected good writing and scholarship; and that is what I got with this book too. The effect of the weather on the campaign; the effects of the war on the civilian population; and the political and diplomatic conditions are all well dealt with. This is a valuable; fresh look at one of the most interesting of Napoleon's campaigns; and if you have a serious interest in the Napoleonic Wars; you will likely appreciate this book.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. "Le Petit Caporal": Scrappy When CorneredBy Fife and DrummerExcellent one-volume study of the 1814 campaign.The book's first half covers the campaign itself. A very good introductory chapter outlines the military topography of the campaign area; including roads; road hubs; river crossings; etc. Napoleon was his old self as he inflicted a sharp but fleeting drubbing on Blucher; but the odds were too great. Very good operational narrative. Never loses sight of the political uncertainty that hobbled both the Allies and Napoleon.Mr. Uffindell reminds us that this campaign was fought during a harsh winter on unforgiving terrain; with bad roads by which to maneuver. Thus; any movement at all was a herculean effort. Interestingly; the biggest battle of the campaign was fought just outside Paris; with Napoleon not even present.The book's second half covers various aspects of the campaign's effect on France and on the invading Allied armies (the wounded; rebuilding; occupation; propaganda by both sides; prisoners; logistics; and weather during the campaign). Orders of battle are included in an appendix.Nice Pen Sword edition. No headbands or footbands; but you can't have everything. A plethora of simple but excellent maps at the strategic; operational; and tactical levels. Includes a set of photos of some of the battlefields today. Meissonier's painting "La Campagne de France" adds panache to the dust jacket.
