Much of Civil War history emphasizes generalship (or the lack of it) as the key factor in analyzing why battles were won or lost. Taking an innovative approach, this book focuses on six elements of victory in nine important Western Theater engagements during 1862—a year when the North had not yet fully mobilized for war.
With increasing complexity on the battlefield and the enormous growth of American armies, winning or losing depended upon achieving as many of these six critical goals as possible: a clear objective; mobilization of effective lieutenants; a competent staff; seizing and holding initiative; deploying all available resources; and realizing a successful strategic outcome. The more goals achieved, the greater the victory.

Richard J. Zimmermann was a school administrator and taught history and economics. At the Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he assists in the archives, presents programs on military history, and does research for new exhibits. He has written one other book on the Civil War, articles on military history and is a member of the Milwaukee Civil War Round Table.

Richard J. Zimmermann
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 217
Bibliographic Info: 84 photos, maps, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8871-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4664-0
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Contents vii
Preface 1
Introduction 3
Prologue: The Mexican War 9
1. Mill Springs: Triumph of Professional Leadership 21
2. Forts Henry and Donelson: Combined Arms with Gunboats 34
3. Pea Ridge: Arkansas Travelers 49
4. Opening the Mississippi River 65
5. Shiloh: The War Comes of Age 74
6. Richmond, Kentucky: Kirby Smith Wins for the Confederacy 92
7. Perryville, Kentucky: Strategic Failures for Both Sides 103
8. Corinth: The Confederacy Strikes Back 123
9. Prairie Grove: Arkansas Once More 138
10. Stones River: Fatal Flaws in Confederate Strategy and Leadership 153
11. Reflections on Civil War Leadership 170
Appendix I: Distribution of Food and Ammunition 177
Appendix II: Artillery Improvements 181
Chapter Notes 183
Bibliography 197
Index 205

“[A]n extremely readable, outstanding study which belongs in every Civil War buff’s library.”—The NYMAS Review