Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally Walker

Abstract

Reviewed by: Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally Walker Matthew Pacer Sally Walker. Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2019. Pp. 304. Appendices. Bibliography. Glossary. Illustrations. Index. Notes. Cloth: $19.99. Deadly Aim is another entry in Civil War literature, but it is one that also contains a pre- and post-conflict history. The interested reader or Civil War scholar will learn much about the reasons, the history, and the context that compelled Anishinaabe men to volunteer for war. While the book’s targeted audience is the younger reader, anyone interested in Michigan’s contribution to the Civil War will enjoy it. The early chapters discuss the formation of the Company K, an infantry regiment consisting primarily of members of Indigenous tribes of Michigan, including excellent and detailed descriptions of army life such as training, drills, and endless marching. The reader learns about the multiple struggles these men endured—not just the physical and psychological struggles associated with conflict, but also their continual battles with racism during and after the war. Their hardships and perseverance are important themes woven throughout the narrative. Another theme is the significance of Anishinaabe culture, particularly its warriors, called ogitchedaw. These roots are what the men drew from to help them excel as sharpshooters and soldiers. Throughout the book, Sally Walker includes many image callouts that provide context for the reader. These are both the greatest strength of the book and its primary weakness. The callouts not only provide context and history but also help the reader grow attached to the men’s stories. I wanted more such callouts [End Page 133] as I progressed through the book; however, they could also distract reader from the narrative. One would likely want to continue reading the main narrative—but would also want to follow the stories or blurbs contained in the callouts. Walker has crafted a wonderful and engaging story about the sharpshooters. She concludes with a profoundly satisfying final chapter and epilogue in which the reader learns the fate of numerous young men that the book follows. Though some of these conclusions are sad, they do provide closure for the men’s stories. After the epilogue comes an illuminating author’s note in which Walker provides just a hint of her research journey—including her consultations with groups such as the Eyaawing Museum and the Ziibiwing Center, sites she visited, and interesting vignettes she learned during the research. After that, Appendix A lists each Michigan Sharpshooter’s name and enlistment age. I suggest reading this first because knowing their ages will help the reader understand the struggles the soldiers faced and the horrors they witnessed. The remaining appendices provide additional information on several treaties, a timeline of Company K, a fully translated letter home from one of the soldiers, and a fascinating story about an eagle. Matthew Pacer Library of Michigan Copyright © 2022 Historical Society of Michigan