40 Memoirs. (U.S. Civil War Reading List)
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This article is from the U.S. Civil War FAQ, by Justin M. Sanders jsanders@jaguar1.usouthal.edu with numerous contributions by others.
40 Memoirs. (U.S. Civil War Reading List)
[Note: The following books were written by prominent participants in the
war. Their perceptions are necessarily subjective; many of them wrote to
present their side of controversies involving themselves that arose after
the war. They did not have the benefit of access to the historical records
that later writers did, and sometimes made factual errors, particularly
regarding the strengths or actions of the other side. Some also slanted
their facts in favor of their own version of events. These books should be
read skeptically for these reasons, and it is wise where possible to read
a later, neutral treatment of the same subjects to get an idea of where a
participant may have made mistakes or misspoken.]
John Gordon, Reminiscences of the Civil War. 1903.
Autobiography of Gordon, who after the Big Three of Longstreet,
Jackson, and Stuart, is probably the most distinguished of Lee's generals.
Another book that has to be read carefully, it is largely accurate but has
a number of scenes that were completely made up by Gordon to vindicate
himself after the other eyewitnesses to events had died.
Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs of US Grant. 2 volumes. 1885.
Basically an autobiography, though concentrating on his ACW career.
James Longstreet, From Manassas to Appomattox. 1896.
Longstreet's autobiography. Take this book with a large grain of salt:
Longstreet had been unjustly attacked by many former Confederate generals
(notably Jubal Early) and this book is his reply.
Horace Porter, Campaigning with Grant. 1896.
Recollections of one of Grants aides de camp on the history of the
war. One of the most widely cited primary sources in subsequent
literature, this book has had a large impact on Grant's historical
reputation, probably larger than Grant's memoirs have had.
Phil Sheridan, Personal Memoirs of Philip Sheridan. 1888.
Sheridan's autobiography.
William T. Sherman, Memoirs of W.T. Sherman. 2 volumes. 1887.
Sherman's autobiography.
Richard Taylor, Destruction and Reconstruction.
The memoirs of Richard Taylor. General Taylor, the son of Mexican War
general and President Zachary Taylor, served throughout the war in all
three of the major theatres; first with Lee in the East, then with Kirby
Smith in the Trans-Mississippi, and last as commander of the Department of
Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. He begins his story with the
secession of South Carolina and ends with four chapters on the surrender
of the Confederate armies and Reconstruction. His book provides two main
contributions: first he offers a relatively critical look at the
Confederate war strategy and priorities, and second, he provides a good
example of the response of ex-Confederates to the North's Reconstruction
policies and their effects on the South.
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