Clingman's Brigade in the Confederacy, 1862-1865 [Hardcover]

Frances H. Casstevens (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078641300X | ISBN-13: 978-0786413003 | Publication Date: July 10, 2002

On November 11, 1862, Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman, despite a lack of formal military training, was named commander of four regiments sent to the eastern counties of North Carolina to prevent Federal troops from making further inroads into the state. Clingman has been called one of North Carolina's most colorful and controversial statesmen, but his military career received little attention from his contemporaries and has been practically ignored by later historians. Like Clingman, the brigade, composed of the 8th, 31st, 51st, and 61st regiments of North Carolina Infantry, has been both praised and condemned for its performance in battle.

This work determines the effect Clingman's Brigade had on various battles and in various defensive positions. It also corrects falsehoods by providing a more accurate portrayal of Clingman, the brigade, and the problems it faced. Chapters are devoted to Clingman as a lawyer, politician, and Congressman, Clingman as soldier, battles fought by the brigade, and the four regiments. Appendices include Clingman's two order books (detailing general and specific orders), a roster of his officers, and miscellaneous letters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"By using a variety of extensively researched materials compiled and presented in a fascinating way, Casstevens has done much to unravel some of the mystery of the man while telling the story of the Rebels he commanded." --Our State

"Nicely done...the book should be of interest to anyone interested in Clingman and his troops or North Carolina and the war." --The Civil War Courier

"One of North Carolina's more enigmatic but ignored commanders...dispels myths and provides a more thorough account of the leader and his unit than ever before." --Civil War Book Review

About the Author

Retired from Wake Forest University, Frances H. Casstevens is also the author of Tales from the North and the South (2007), "Out of the Mouth of Hell" (2005), George W. Alexander and Castle Thunder (2004), Edward A. Wild and the African Brigade in the Civil War (2003) and The Civil War and Yadkin County, North Carolina (1997). She lives in Yadkinville, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (July 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078641300X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786413003
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,078,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clingman's Brigade analyzed and evaluated, January 22, 2006

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clingman's Brigade in the Confederacy, 1862-1865 (Hardcover)

Clingman's Brigade and its leader for whom it was named, has received a mixed assessment for their Civil War activities. Often on the losing side of engagements, the brigade has been ranked "below average" by some; Robert E. Lee, however, after the affair at Drewry's Bluff in May 1864, said that Clingman's men "did their duty well," and Jefferson Davis, who witnessed Clingman's charge at the same battle, described it as "the most gallant ... he had ever witnessed." Casstevens's purpose in this book is to examine the military activities of the Brigade in order to determine its impact on various battles and affairs. In this she does a credible, evenhanded, and thorough job.

Thomas Lanier Clingman was a proud man from a proud family. A "scholar-soldier," he was born and raised in North Carolina and loved nothing more than to wander the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, mainly in pursuit of minerals and gems. He studied for the law and was elected to both the state and national legislature; he had no military training. Clingman's Brigade was formed late in 1862 and was sent to the eastern part of the state, where it saw its first action at the Neuse River (RR) Bridge near Goldsboro, in December. Ordered to protect the bridge, an overwhelming Federal force was able to capture it and burn it. Clingman and his men fought bravely, however, and blame for the failure rests on an insufficiency of men to do the job properly. Thus a pattern formed that attached itself to Clingman's Brigade like a curse: he and his men would perform their orders and their duty well, but circumstances beyond their control would intervene and diminish results.

The Brigade also saw action at Battery Wagner, New Bern, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Globe Tavern, where Clingman was severely wounded in the leg and was out of the war until almost the very end. Like most fighting units, Clingman's Brigade had some successes, some failures; had luck and better planning been on their side at some engagements, they might have done better; they certainly could have done worse. Most of the time they did what they could under the circumstances, which might be high enough praise for anyone.

Casstevens presents a very full picture of the Brigade and its leader. She is honest and shows the men in good and bad light, though usually presents an "excuse" for the group's failures (most seem reasonable). She also draws a thorough picture of Clingman himself, his years as a congressman and his character. My favorite description of him is from Mary Chestnut's Diary, where at a party she is critical of Clingman's dancing, which is "a serious business with him." When his partner insisted on talking while they were dancing, Clingman told her, "Pray, withhold all remarks. It puts me out. I cannot do two things at once. If you will talk, I shall have to stop dancing." Reams could be written about the man from that statement alone. Civil War buffs and historians will find much to appreciate and debate in this excellent regimental history. Highly recommended.