Thousands of books have been written about Abraham Lincoln,
but comparatively few have been written about his Confederate counterpart
Jefferson Davis. Davis and his role in
the American Civil War will never get the same attention as Lincoln, but he does
deserve much more shelf space in the library of Civil War literature that he
has been given.
Professor James M. McPherson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize
for his book “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” has added a volume to the shelf of
books about Jefferson Davis with “Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander
in Chief.”
Davis, when compared to Lincoln, is very nearly eclipsed by
him. To his credit, Professor McPherson
explains in his introduction to “Embattled Rebel” that comparing Jefferson
Davis to Abraham Lincoln is like comparing apples to oranges; they both had
different challenges and different resources and personnel to deal with them;
therefore he has intentionally resisted the temptation to compare the two
Commanders in Chief.
“Embattled Rebel” is not a biography of Jefferson Davis, nor
was it intended to be. It is rather a
chronological narrative of his role as Commander in Chief of the Confederate
Army during the Civil War, and that is the entirety of its primary focus. Very little biographical information is discussed,
nor is the politics of the Confederate government greatly discussed by the
professor.
McPherson gives a somewhat sympathetic view of Jefferson
Davis, pointing out that many of his health issues may have contributed to his
mediocre performance as the Confederacy’s Commander in Chief. That being said, McPherson is completely
forthcoming that his relationships with the generals he commanded was lackluster
at best. If his playing of favorites
with some of his generals and displaying outright hostility to others did not
lead to the failure of the Confederacy to gain its independence, it surely did
not help it.
Davis’ insistence on micromanaging all aspects of the war,
as well his refusal to delegate authority, as Professor McPherson also points
out, negatively impacted his health, therefore inflaming his unstable temperament.
Some discussion is given to Davis’ strategy of a total
defense of all of the Confederacy’s territory, thereby spreading out and
weakening the Confederacy’s military forces, as opposed to a concentration of
the Confederacy’s military, as opposed to a Fabian strategy of yielding territory
to the enemy army, luring it in until it is vulnerable to be attacked and
defeated. The strategy of an offensive
defense is also discussed by Professor McPherson, including Lee’s two northward
attacks at Antietam and Gettysburg, drawing the Federal Army away from the
South and into the North.
“Embattled Rebel” is a fast read, well written in an easily
read style. It is adequately researched,
and cover’s its topic well enough. No
new information appears between its covers, but Professor McPherson’s views are
insightful. Well schooled students of
the Civil War might find this book a bit of a rehash, but it is an excellent
place to start for those who may not know much about Jefferson Davis and the
role he played during the war.
ISBN 978-1594204975, The Penguin Press HC, © 2014,
Hardcover, 320 pages, Photographs & Maps, End Notes & Index.
$32.95. To purchase this book click HERE.
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