That Body of Brave Men: The U.S. Regular Infantry and The Civil War In The West [Hardcover]

Mark W. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2003

Using old regimental records from the Civil War, as well as diaries and letters, Mark W. Johnson has unearthed a wealth of new material about this long-neglected topic: he covers every unit and every battle in compelling narrative and exhaustive detail and reaches some surprising conclusions about the significant role these troops played in the Union's eventual victory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An absorbing true-life story...Fascinating reading...This biography is just pure reading pleasure." -- Bookviews.com January 2004

"An extraordinary account of an extraordinary organization...Highly recommend[ed]." -- The Civil War News March 2004

"Fills a gap in Civil War literature...Johnson's fine writing style carefully blends official histories with diaries and letters." -- Choice April 2004

"Johnson has broken new ground in Civil War military history...The narrative is peppered with humorous anecdotes and personal experiences." -- History Spring 2004

"Johnson has done a masterful job...An extraordinary account of an extraordinary organization...The maps are excellent." -- The Civil War News April 2004

"This book is for the general reader, the enthusiast, and the scholar. Johnson has succeeded in creating an illustrative history." -- Journal of Military History 01/01/04

"Well researched and easy to read...will appeal not only to scholars but to Civil War enthusiasts." -- History April 2004

About the Author

Mark W. Johnson is a Major in the U.S. Army and doctoral candidate in history at the State University of New York at Albany. He lives in Bennington, Vermont.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 784 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1St Edition edition (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306812460
• ISBN-13: 978-0306812460
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Regular Brigade Emerges From History's Shawdows, September 27, 2003

By 

Thomas E. Crew (Long Beach, MS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: That Body of Brave Men: The U.S. Regular Infantry and The Civil War In The West (Hardcover)

While the Regulars made up appoximately 3% of the total forces in the Civil War they are rarely mentioned in Civil War literature and when they are the information is usually sketchy or erroneous. This book not only brings light to a story that has remained hidden for 138 years, but it also explains why the fascinating story of the Western Regulars was never been told before. This book will appeal to any Civil War reader interested in the Western Theater, the Regular Army, or the cultural conflicts between the Regulars and Voluteers and how they continued to cast shadows over the truth for over a century.
Mark Johnson brings new perspectives to major western campaigns/battles such as Shiloh, Perryville, Stones River, Tullahoma, Chickamuaga, Chattanooga and Atlanta. While these battles have been all recieved at least one book length study the significant contributions of the Regulars was rarely acknowledged.
Scorned by the volunteer units for their high standards and uncompromising values, the Regulars were ignored or maligned in post war literature that predominately focused on trumpeting the stories of volunteer units to local/state audiences. The Regular's professionalism made those who survived reluctant to tell their own stories.
The author's extensive use of primary source material from the National Archives and many obscure collections brings life to this important story through the voices of men never heard from before. The ricely annotated maps are not only original, but a cut above what is being published by even the most notable contemporary Civil War authors. These maps along with extenisve notes and appendices allow the reader to drill down into the details and further contribute to the insightful nature of this remarkable book.
One of the sub-themes of this book is the results of changing standards in recruitment and training. As the Regular Brigade went through rebuilding cycles to replace its loses it was gradually degraded by Federal regulations that made it more difficult to recruit quality men. It is a lesson that is still applicable today for those who need to be reminded that diminished training, pay and enlistment enticements will eventually impact the quality of the military.
I look for this book to promote the image of the Regular Brigade into the ranks of other notable units such as the Iron Brigade and Irish Brigade. It is the complete historical package. A story never told before using original material and told comprehensively through the voices of the men who have until now been lost to history.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Study of a Little Known Brigade, September 25, 2003

By 

Mark (Versailles, Cayman Islands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: That Body of Brave Men: The U.S. Regular Infantry and The Civil War In The West (Hardcover)

Mark Johnson, Major, US Army has created a masterfully written, well researched study of an all but overlooked force of men, the Regulars who served in the United States Army, and fought in what was considered the "western" theater of operations of the Civil War - Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, etc.

This book is a rarity in the field of Civil War literature, unlike the plethora of books that continue to plow the same ground with some variations on a theme, "That Body of Brave Men" details the history of a unit that is effectively unknown to all but the most serious students of the conflict - the Regular Brigade of the Army of the Cumberland, the 15th 16th, 18th and 19th United States Infantry Regiments. Not only does this work detail the units, officers and men in a candid and forthright manner, it provides the reader with an excellent understanding of the battles and campaigns that made up the war for Kentucky, Tennessee and the march on Atlanta.

I would be remiss if I did not note that the Major Johnson provides a reader, through his writing style, and his maps which I consider to be some of the best ever presented in a Civil War unit or battle history, with an excellent view of the war in the West from a strategic, operational and most especially unit level. But most of all he tells the story of the men who served in these units through their own words, he shows you the life of a Regular through their eyes, whether it be in bivouac, on the drill field or in combat, and he does so in a masterful style.

As someone who had the honor and privilege to assist Major Johnson with this project, and has spent a lifetime studying the Civil War I have found that on rare occasion, every now and again an exceptional work of Civil War history comes along, this is one of those books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My People, April 27, 2005

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: That Body of Brave Men: The U.S. Regular Infantry and The Civil War In The West (Hardcover)

Several of my relatives from Ohio fought for the Union during the years 1861-1865 with 4 from my mother's side dying. Other relatives in our family were from Indiana, and I have two Civil War discharges from Indiana units on the wall, plus one G.A.R. medal from 1886.

The 4 that perished were with the Army of the Potomac, Eastern Theatre, but the two extant discharges come from the Western Theatre. I've found it very difficult to find much in print other than regimental histories concerning the Western Theatre. With this admirable book, THAT BODY OF BRAVE MEN I now have a large amount of material at my disposal.

The other reviews here have given synopsis of content, so I will spare you that. I will only say in way of recommendation for this volume that I can count on one hand the number of books in print on the U.S. Regular Infantry in the West. And probably have a finger or two left over.

Though the cost of this book is not small, I still will recommend it.

Semper Fi.