{"product_id":"the-civil-war-on-the-mississippi-union-sailors-gunboat-captains-and-the-campaign-to-control-the-river-9780813186771","title":"The Civil War on the Mississippi: Union Sailors, Gunboat Captains, and the Campaign to Control the River","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe Mississippi River is a significant transportation system in the US, and both sides during the Civil War believed that controlling it would determine the outcome of the war. Barbara Brooks Tomblin's book explores the Union navy's efforts to win control of the Mississippi during the war, using diaries and letters of officers and common sailors to provide fresh insight into major battles and lesser-known aspects of the conflict. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 388 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 28 May 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: The University Press of Kentucky\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpanning from its origins in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River serves as a vital transportation system, traversing ten diverse states. During the Civil War, both sides recognized the immense importance of controlling this strategic waterway, as it held the potential to determine the outcome of the conflict. The river played a crucial role in generating revenue for the Confederacy through cotton exports, while also facilitating the delivery of essential materials and food. In response, the Union sought to maintain safe passage from St. Louis, Missouri, to Cairo, Illinois, while also implementing the Anaconda Plan to seize the river and divide the South.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarbara Brooks Tomblin's book, \"The Civil War on the Mississippi,\" delves into the years during which the Union navy battled to gain control of this vital waterway. Through meticulous research and analysis of diaries and letters written by officers and common sailors, Tomblin offers a fresh perspective on major battles such as Memphis and Vicksburg. However, her work goes beyond these well-known events, revealing fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of the conflict. Ordinary sailors, engaged in brown-water warfare, share their experiences, including going ashore in foraging parties, assisting surgeons in amputations, and liberating supplies of whiskey from captured enemy vessels. They provide candid assessments of their commanding officers, observations of the local people living along the river, and their thoughts on the war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The Civil War on the Mississippi\" not only provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the action on the western rivers but also offers an extraordinary synthesis of first-person accounts from the front lines. These narratives bring the reader closer to the experiences of the soldiers and sailors who fought in this pivotal conflict, providing a human dimension to the historical narrative. By combining historical analysis with firsthand accounts, Tomblin has created a masterpiece that not only enhances our understanding of the Civil War but also sheds light on the human cost of war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, \"The Civil War on the Mississippi\" is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, military history, or the human experience of war. Barbara Brooks Tomblin's meticulous research and compelling storytelling bring the past to life, offering a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in American history. This book is a testament to the power of history to inform and inspire us, and to the enduring significance of the Mississippi River in shaping the course of our nation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 229 x 152 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780813186771\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barbara Brooks Tomblin","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44100411425018,"sku":"9780813186771","price":24.24,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1657289952601_book.jpg?v=1657605589","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/the-civil-war-on-the-mississippi-union-sailors-gunboat-captains-and-the-campaign-to-control-the-river-9780813186771","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}