Booknotes II (March '10 )

New additions this month:

1. Volunteers' Camp and Field Book: Containing Useful and General Information on the Art and Science of War, for the Leisure Moments of the Soldier by John P. Curry, edited by William B. Sargeant and John W. Brinsfield (Mercer Univ. Press, 2010).

Originally published in 1861 and 1862, this practical handbook for Civil War soldiers written by army and navy veteran Curry has been treated to a new edited edition based on a recently discovered copy.

2. Circle of Fire: The Indian War of 1865 by John D. McDermott (Stackpole, 2003).

The best single-volume treatment, at least that I've found, of a pretty broad conflict. It's out of print now but can be obtained for a reasonable price.

3. South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States: The Upstate by Robert S. Seigler (The History Press, 2008).

4. South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States: The Midlands by Robert S. Seigler (The History Press, 2008).

This completes the four-volume set for me [review of Vol. IV]. I would definitely recommend these as detailed reference guides to SC units (they appear quite complete as to infantry and cavalry regiments & battalions, artillery batteries & battalions, militia formations, indep. companies, etc.).