The Hidden Face of the Civil War (review)

Abstract

BOOK REVIEWS The HiddenFace of the CivilWar. By Otto Eisenschiml. (IndianapoUs: The Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1961. Pp. 319. $5.00) This book is going to make many people angry. It will also shock a large number of buffs from their lethargic acceptance of oft-told tales to a serious reflection on Civil War history. If the informed eventually outnumber the irate, then the author will have achieved his primary goal. Otto Eisenschiml in a sense is a maverick among our leading Civil War historians. Through such earlier works as Why Was Lincoln Murdered? and Why the Civil War? he established himself as a poignant, provocative writer who had little respect for popular legend and no respect at all for sentimentality . This new book, coming on the heels of his stimulating article in the September, 1960, issue of Civil War History, is irrefutable proof that he is a crusader for both originality and truth. In The Hidden Face of the Civil War Dr. Eisenschiml brushes aside most of the theories concerning Federal and Confederate leadership. With the eye of the scientist that he is, the author applies a laboratory method to three fields: Northern Over-all Strategy, Confederate Over-all Strategy, and Civil War Generals. Prominent figures on both sides are placed in test tubes, then subjected to heat that boils away the idolatry, myth, and romanticism surrounding each. Lastly comes the microscopic analysis of the pure homo sapiens . The result is at times shocking, at times revolting, but always interesting and stimulating to those seeking new insights into a field heavily saturated with psuedo-historians. For example, the downfall of the Confederacy came not as a result of Sharpsburg or Gettysburg or faulty management on the part of Southern leaders, but from the Federal blockade that, in stumbling fashion, Lincoln ultimately effected. The author is rough on Lincoln, particularly on the President's attempts to direct military strategy. Many generals, especially McClellan, might have fared much better had Lincoln left them alone—or had the suggestions of such "amateur strategists" as Asa Mahan and Anna Ella Carroll been followed. Of Lincoln's relations with General Henry HaIleck , Dr. Eisenschiml states bluntly: "Although he soon saw through Halleck's utter incompetence, he kept him on, perhaps to remind himself how obtuse major generals could be." Southern leaders fare no better under the author's scrutiny. Jefferson Davis was "a tragic failure" who "left behind him an unbroken record of errors and lost opportunities." But, the author is quick to concede, "a man who could bear up so gallantly under misfortune must have had some greatness in him, 333 334CIVIL WA H HISTOHY his many adverse traits notwithstanding." Those adverse traits are discussed at great length. As wartime capitals Washington and Richmond both were detriments to their respective sides. Being a native of Danville, this reviewer cannot but agree that, if some Old Dominion city had to be selected for national headquarters , a more defensible city in the interior such as Lynchburg or Danville would have saved the Confederacy many headaches. The third section of the book—"Civil War Generals"—will undoubtedly stir the greatest reaction. Rating commanders by a star system of from plus five to minus one, Dr. Eisenschiml cuts down many of the war's leading combatants. No Federal commander rates in either of the top two grades: George H. Thomas and Fitz John Porter are considered dependable; Grant barely rates above a failure class that includes Halleck and Burnside. On the Confederate side, Bedford Forrest takes top laurels ("military ability near genius"), followed closely by Stonewall Jackson. Joseph Johnston and Longstreet rate two stars for competency. Lee and Beauregard repose in the "erratic" class, and Braxton Bragg flunks the course. No unanimity of agreement or disagreement will greet The Hidden Face of the Civil War; controversial in content, it will be so received by the reading public. Perhaps the book is iconoclastic, even a bit debunking. Yet at the same time it is a work of careful thought and deep research. As sucli—and its captious nature notwithstanding—it is a needed shot in the arm in furthering a more careful study of our nation's critical hour...