Wiley Sword (1937–2015)

It seems wrong to say I enjoyed this book as it dealt with tragic events but I was certainly absorbed by it and I'm glad I learnt about this part of the civil war that I knew virtually nothing about. This book is clearly very well researched and written and large portions of this book deserve five stars in my opinion.
However, I dropped it down to 3 stars because I struggled through some of the very graphic descriptions of the fighting. Others may say they didn't find it too much, but for me I found some of the particulars were described in unnecessary detail. Yes, these appalling things happened but I think the events could have been fully grasped in their horror with less explicit descriptions of the combat.… (plus d'informations)

Before visiting the battlefield, the McGavock house,cemetery and other historical parts of Franklin, I wanted to know more details surrounding the actual battle itself. The Order of Battle, the physical placements of regiments, brigades and divisions, as well as a better understanding of the decisions made by General Hood while in Spring Hill, were subjects of personal interest to me. My great grandfather (17th Al.Infantry, Walthall’s Division) was shot in his left temple as they approached the hedges/ cotton gin area. He survived the head wound, graduated from Mobile Medical College, and was a country physician in rural south Alabama by age 23. He practiced medicine for 54 years and had nine children, my grandmother being one. She shared many fond memories of riding with him on house calls while he delivered babies, set bones, etc. in exchange for turnip greens if they could not pay. Not one time did he ever speak of the war or the day of 30 November, 1864.
Wiley Sword’s well-researched account of these historic few days in Tennessee was one of my two text books and guides as I walked the battlefield in the vicinity of my great grandfather’s regiment and brigade. The owner of a small independent book store in downtown Franklin recommended this book, along with the McDonough/Connelly “Five Tragic Hours”, which was an excellent companion to the Sword book. I would highly recommend both of these for anyone interested in a superbly detailed accounting of the senseless tragedy of the Battle of Franklin.… (plus d'informations)

British-made Enfield rifles were so valued by the South during the American War Between the States that blockade runners continued to deliver shipments of them right up until the very end. Mr. LeMat's unique and technically advanced revolvers (imported from Europe) were also highly sought-after firearms used by Confederate soldiers. Sir Joseph Whitworth's famous long-range sniper rifle (named after him) was also used with great effectiveness by Southern marksmen. Without the Yankee blockade, widespread use of these and other superior weapons might have given victory to the C.S.A..… (plus d'informations)