DOC “The Bloody Fifth”―The 5th Texas Infantry Regiment; Hood’s Texas Brigade; Army of Northern Virginia: Volume 2: Gettysburg to Appomattox by John Schmutz in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful work about men who were a credit to their army.By David MarshallJohn F. Schmutz narrative includes the military campaigns of the 5th Texas Infantry Regiment of Confederate General Hood’s Texas Brigade from Gettysburg to Appomattox. The soldiers originated from the rural and urban areas of East Texas. The majority of these volunteers never returned to their homes and their loved ones however they will always be known for their bravery; spirit and their support of the Southern cause. Lee indicated that “the Texans are always ready to fight.” This is the first comprehensive account of the 5th Texas Infantry Regiment; an important part of Lee’s most dependable and perhaps preferred brigade.This book's clarity of organization and accuracy of description; coupled with interpretive insights; enable the reader to gasp both details and the larger picture of the first two years of the Civil War. The author provides fresh analysis that helps us comprehend the motivation; strategies; tensions; controversies; and triumphs that have characterized the work and lives of “The Bloody Fifth” of Hood’s Texas Brigade. An excellent awareness to solders thoughts on their loss at Gettysburg was the blame placed on “Bullhead Longstreet”. Interesting since the General felt the combat of Hood’s and McLaw’s divisions constituted “the best three hours of fighting ever done by any troops on any battlefield”. This writer provides readers with a scholarly treatment of The 5th Texas Regiment in battles and campaigns in the Eastern and Western Theaters such as Gettysburg; Chickamauga; Chattanooga; Knoxville; Overland Campaign;Wilderness; Spotsylvania; Cold Harbor; North Anna; New Market and the Petersburg Campaign. One of the most fabled moments of these men regarding “Lee to the rear!” in The Wilderness is explained and enhanced by this outstanding historian. During the war almost 20 percent of the regiment died from disease and medical difficulties. During this fighting unit’s retreat to Appomattox; only 161 men were able to surrender. By the end of the conflict the casualty rate of these men; who lived to fight and gain glory exceeded 62 percent for a total of 81 percent passing away from participating in the Civil War.Savas-Beatie has published an outstanding 384 page treatment on “The Bloody Fifth” and their amazing war record.The author used an abundance of quotes from enlisted men and officers throughout the narrative that allows readers to understand what these renowned men fought for and what they went through to be succeeful. There is an excellent assortment of 11 images; and 28 helpful maps produced by George Skoch and Hal Jespersen located throughout this work maps illustrating the events; places and people mentioned in the text. Additionally; there are illuminating below page notes;an index and a bibliography. Included are four valuable appendices concerning: Deaths From Disease or Accident; Battle Deaths-5th Texas Regiment; Head Count; and an Interview with Author John F. Schmutz.Schmutz’s second of two volumes on one of the best Confederate regiments is interesting; well written; readable and a thoroughly researched examination of hard fighting and extraordinary Texans. This excellent scholarship is based on many years of archival research that used hundreds of primary sources including journals; letters and unpublished papers. The study is extremely detailed; and provides readers with an understanding of what it was like for these brave soldiers’. The writer details in stirring and engaging prose provides students with the full dimension of the 5th Texas Infantry Regiment during the final two years of the Civil War.The rich variety of insights and information on The 5th Texas Infantry Regiment and Hood’s Texas Brigade served up in this title makes it truly a moveable feast. A lucid; readable summary that brings the key personalities to life and explores the intricate relationship between civilian soldiers and commanding officers such as John Bell Hood; James Longstreet and Robert E. Lee. The writer is successful in describing individual’s opinions concerning the conflict; the home front; and loved ones. This tapestry reminds the knowledgeable and informs the novice in a plain; straight forward style that reads easily and quickly. No Civil War buff will want to miss it. This reviewer highly recommends this work.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The conlcusion to the outstanding history of the 5th Texas Infantry.By Joe Owen"The Bloody Fifth - The 5th Texas Infantry Regiment; Hood's Texas Brigade; Army of Northern Virginia; Vol 2. Gettysburg to Appomattox; (Savas-Beatie; 2017; 456 pages). The Bloody Fifth Vol. 2; by John Schmutz is the outstanding conclusion to his definitive history of the 5th Texas Infantry that fought in Hood's Texas Brigade; from 1861-1865. Beginning with the Gettysburg Campaign of the summer of 1863; this is the history of the 5th Texas; highlighted by the accounts of the officers and enlisted who fought from the slopes of Little Round Top at the battle of Gettysburg on July 2; 1863 to the conclusion of the war at Appomattox Courthouse; April 9; 1865. The accounts of the battle of Gettysburg; given by the soldiers of the 5th Texas grabs hold and takes you on a fascinating read as soldiers such as John Stevens of the 5th Texas describing his wounds he received while charging up the Round Top Hills; the almost fatal wounding of the 5th Texas Commanding Officer; Colonel Robert M. Powell; who when captured by the Federals thought that he was General James Longstreet. These accounts and many more by the soldiers tell of the great and terrible battle of Gettysburg. The narrative doesn't let go. Schmutz then gives the accounting of the transfer to Braxton Bragg's Army of the Western Theater and then the soldiers describe such battles as Chiciamauga; Knoxville. In these battles the 5th Texas is in the middle of the carnage. Then the author concludes with the seige of Petersburg and the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia; and the journey back to Texas that the soldiers endured to reach home and loved ones in the Lone Star State.What makes this series truly stand out is the stories of the camp life; battles; marches; loss of life; endurance and some humorous tales are woven in by the soldiers themselves. The author lets the soldiers tell their stories; often for the first time ever published. The tactics and facts of the marches and battles are also discussed along with the soldiers stories.Volume 2 is the conclusion to this outstanding history of the "Bloody Fifth" Texas Infantry. I consider this the definitive history of the 5th Texas that is a welcome addition to the history of the Army of Northern Virginia. This is truly an important work(s) that will be ranked as one of the "classic" histories that will be referenced in other books; articles; narratives and other historical works. Simply put; if you don't have Volumes 1 and 2; in your library; both academic and personal; then you don't have the complete history of the Army of Northern Virginia; Texas or Civil War History. John Schmutz is to be complemented for such a complete and accurate history of the 5th Texas Infantry; that is told in an excellent narrative. Another fine addition to the history of the Civil War published by Savas-Beatie.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. "Texans Always Move Them!" and They'll Move You; TooBy Amanda WarrenVolume II of John Schmutz's 5th Texas masterpiece; covering Gettysburg to Manassas; continues the regiment's story with the same riveting interest and devoted thoroughness as the first volume. Here we have the epic scenes of "Lee to the rear!" and Hood's devastating woundings at Gettysburg and Chickamauga. It was a Texan of Company E who famously declared of Lee; "I would charge hell itself for that old man." But we also meet lesser-known players such as Gus and Molly Bailey; minstrel entertainers; and the slave Levi Miller who; after fighting valiantly at Spotsylvania; was voted in as a full-fledged member of the regiment for the remainder of the War. Another surprise: the Texans narrowly missed being blown up on the Petersburg line (they were moved from the Crater vicinity on July 28).In addition to all of these dramatic accounts; Mr. Schmutz offers some excellent analysis; in particular his angle on Longstreet's refusal to alter the July 2 attack plan after Hood repeatedly urged him to do so; and the subsequent repercussions among First Corps commanders. (For example; he suggests that Lee's pointedly correcting Longstreet's orders to McLaws in front of the latter could have been a primary reason for Longstreet's pique.) Also at Gettysburg; the author shares some wonderful descriptive writing coming from the Texan Col. Micajah Powell: "Smoke from either side rolled in billows; meeting and writhing in conflict in the valley midway the engaging armies."Of course notable tragedies overcame the Texans as the War ground to an end; especially the death of their brigade commander General John Gregg; "the best brigadier in the army" in Lee's eyes. And there is an unforgettable scene at War's end of a Texas private who; before embarking on the long journey homeward; visited Lee at his Franklin Street home in Richmond. When the General came downstairs; the soldier; overcome with emotion parted without uttering a word.Volumes I and II of "The Bloody Fifth" will stand forever as classics in Civil War literature; and I thank the author for his dedication and excellence in producing them; to the grateful edification of Civil War readers.