1. The Battle of First Bull Run - Manassas Campaign July 16-22, 1861 - An Illustrated Atlas and Battlefield Guide
by Blaikie Hines (American Patriot Press, 2011).My first impressions of this book are positive. Differing from traditional atlas maps depicting historical terrain, the author instead takes modern satellite photos and superimposes troop positions and movements on them. If you'd like to see some sample pages, click on the publisher link above. Harry at Bull Runnings plans to conduct an interview with the author in the near future.
2. I Fear I Shall Never Leave This Island: Life in a Civil War Prison
by David R. Bush (UP of Florida, 2011).This book takes the novel approach of pairing the author's two decades of archaeological investigations at the Johnson's Island POW camp off Sandusky, Ohio with the letters home of a Virginia officer, Capt. Wesley Makely, imprisoned there.
Could have used this book back in July when I toured the battlefield. Gottfried's atlas is great, but it was hard to pinpoint locations on the battlefield, particularly on Matthews Hill. Unfortunately, as the park historian conceded, some of the regimental position markers are not accurate, having more to do with the woodline at the time of their placement than the regiments' actual positions. Will have to pick this one up and stop back next year while touring Second Manassas.
ReplyDeleteChris Van Blargan