Booknotes: "No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar" revised & updated edition

New Arrival:
• "No Such Army Since the Days of Julius Caesar": Sherman's Carolinas Campaign from Fayetteville to Averasboro, March 1865 by Mark A. Smith and Wade Sokolosky (Savas Beatie, 2017).

First published over a decade ago by Ironclad Publishing, No Such Army was one of that short-lived press's best offerings. I don't recall any major complaints about it outside of the maps lacking scale but nevertheless considered the new version one of my most highly anticipated reprints of 2017.

Content summary from the description: "The authors dedicate their professional training and research and writing abilities to the critical days of March 11-16, 1865―the overlooked run-up to the seminal Battle of Bentonville (March 19-21, 1865). They begin with the capture of Fayetteville and the demolition of the arsenal there, before chronicling the two-day Battle of Averasboro in more detail than any other study. At Averasboro, Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee’s Confederates conducted a well-planned and brilliantly executed defense-in-depth that held Sherman’s juggernaut in check for two days. With his objective accomplished, Hardee disengaged and marched to concentrate his corps with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston for what would become Bentonville."

Of course, publisher Savas Beatie always significantly improves titles when they reissue them. "This completely revised and updated edition ... is based upon extensive archival and firsthand research. It includes new original maps, orders of battle, abundant illustrations, and a detailed driving and walking tour for dedicated battlefield enthusiasts." The maps are more numerous than before, and they do look great along with the tour feature. Undoubtedly, the main text is updated, as well. Looking forward to revisiting the early phases of Sherman's campaign with this.