• General Lee’s Immortals: The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865 by Michael C. Hardy (Savas Beatie, 2018).
In his recent magazine review of the hardcover first edition of Hardy's General Lee’s Immortals, the elder Krick, who has forgotten more ANV sources than anyone else has ever known about in the first place, delivered one of his patented fatherly scoldings regarding missing primary sources (he does it because he loves), but the book has been generally well received. Only released earlier this year, it is already out in paperback.The brigade became one of the most stalwart mainstays of Lee's army. As the title suggests, the book aims primarily to document the unit's war record from initial organization through surrender at Appomattox. From the description: "This storied brigade was first led by Lawrence Branch, and then by James H. Lane, and served with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia for its entire existence. These Tar Heels fought in nearly every major battle in the Eastern Theater, including the Seven Days’ Battles, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg (where Branch was killed), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville (where its members mistakenly shot Stonewall Jackson), Gettysburg (including Pickett’s Charge), the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, the Petersburg Campaign, and the final retreat to Appomattox.
Originally part of A. P. Hill’s famous “Light Division,” the brigade earned high plaudits for its disciplined defensive efforts, hard–hitting attacks, and incredible marching abilities. Its heavy combat exposure, however, resulted in devastating losses. By war’s end, its roll call of casualties far exceeded its number of survivors."
Originally part of A. P. Hill’s famous “Light Division,” the brigade earned high plaudits for its disciplined defensive efforts, hard–hitting attacks, and incredible marching abilities. Its heavy combat exposure, however, resulted in devastating losses. By war’s end, its roll call of casualties far exceeded its number of survivors."
In the book, Hardy "allows the men to speak for themselves as they describe their time in camp, endless hardships, long marches, bloody battles, increasing hunger, and much more. In addition to a dozen original maps, General Lee’s Immortals also includes scores of rare photos—many of which were previously unpublished..."
Gotta love the Elder Krick (who is a good friend of mine). I still recall fondly the time he was out in California and stayed overnight in my home in 1990 after the West Coast Civil War Round Table conference. We were eating and discussing various things. When I told him that if my pregnant wife had a boy I would name him Alexander James Longstreet Savas, I thought he was going to have an aneurysm then and there. :) He slowly lowered his sandwich, which had just about reached his lips, and declared, "Theo, let's not scar the young man from birth. I think our opinions of the general vary significantly."
ReplyDeleteI had a girl, born July 2 at 6:00 or so. I named her Alexandra, after E. Porter Alexander.
We are very pleased with this book, how it has been received, and how hard author Hardy works. Thanks for noting the appearance of the trade paperback.
Great story, Ted. Bob is sui generis. I can only assume he was pleased with the outcome of your selection.
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