Two Great Rebel Armies: An Essay in Confederate Military History

by Richard M. McMurry

Overview

Richard McMurry compares the two largest Confederate armies, assessing why Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was more successful than the Army of Tennessee. His bold conclusion is that Lee's army was a better army--not just one with a better high command.

"Sheds new light on how the South lost the Civil War.--American Historical Review

"McMurry's mastery of the literature is impressive, and his clear and succinct writing style is a pleasure to read. . . . Comparison of the two great rebel armies offers valuable insights into the difficulties of the South's military situation.--Maryland Historian

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469616124
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	02/01/2014
Series:	Civil War America
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	222
Lexile:	1470L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Richard M. McMurry, a historian who lives and works in Roanoke, Virginia, specializes in the history of the Civil War in the West. His books include John Bell Hood and the War for Southern Independence.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Sheds new light on how the South lost the Civil War.—American Historical Review



McMurry offers creative ideas on an old question: why was the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia so much more successful than the Army of Tennessee? . . . Indispensable for all future studies of Confederate military history.—Choice



McMurry's mastery of the literature is impressive, and his clear and succinct writing style is a pleasure to read. . . . Comparison of the two great rebel armies offers valuable insights into the difficulties of the South's military situation.—Maryland Historian



Two Great Rebel Armies is that rare treat, a scholarly book that makes for enjoyable reading.—Ohio History



[McMurry] is one of those remarkable people who combine the talents of a skilled and diligent researcher, a witty and graceful literary style, and a keen appreciation of the milieu of the 1860s.—Florida Historical Quarterly



Sheer delight. . . . McMurry's splendidly crafted essay is erudite, balanced, witty, and wise.—Raleigh News & Observer



An entirely competent comparative study of the strategy, tactics, and generalship of the two mightiest Confederate hosts—the Army of Tennessee and the Army of Northern Virginia—together with an account of the melCes concerning their fates. . . . McMurry has done well, particularly by those who want to know why the Army of Tennessee did so poorly.—Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

The Confederacy's two major combat units were the formidable Army of Northern Virginia and the lesser-known Army of Tennessee. Lee's army was justly famous; the other lost nearly every battle it ever fought. McMurry studies the military, political, geographical, and logistical factors and decides that the Army of Northern Virginia was simply a better fighting force, even without Lee's tactical genius. This conclusion will be no surprise to Civil War students but his book does a careful job of confirming a widespread historical view. Recommended for academic and large public collections. History Book Club selection.-- Raymond L. Puffer, U.S. Air Force History Prog., Los Angeles

Library Journal

Why was the Confederate army of Northern Virginia more successful than the army of Tennessee? This well written and interesting study examines this question and others about the military system, organization, and personnel of the Confederacy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Two Great Rebel Armies" is that rare treat, a scholarly book that makes for enjoyable reading.

"Ohio History"

McMurry's mastery of the literature is impressive, and his clear and succinct writing style is a pleasure to read.

"Maryland Historian"

""Two Great Rebel Armies" is that rare treat, a scholarly book that makes for enjoyable reading.

"Ohio History""

"McMurry's mastery of the literature is impressive, and his clear and succinct writing style is a pleasure to read.

"Maryland Historian""

Indispensable for all future studies of Confederate military history.

"Choice"

Sheds new light on how the South lost the Civil War.

"American Historical Review"

From the Publisher