These Men Have Seen Hard Service recounts the fascinating history of one outstanding Michigan regiment during the Civil War. A compelling political; social; ethnic; and military drama; this book examines the lives of the 1300 men of the First Michigan Sharpshooters for the first time; beginning with the regiment's inception and extending through post-war activities until the death of the last rifleman in 1946. Beyond presenting numerous anecdotes about the men and officers and their contributions during the war; Raymond Herek provides insight into the medical community of the time; the draft; other commands in the same division; the politics endemic in raising a regiment; and Michigan's Native American contingent. The extensive appendices will be of particular use to genealogists; Civil War enthusiasts; and historians; because they list the men in the regiment; and also battle and camp casualties.
#1368985 in Books University of Virginia Press 2005-06-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.54 x .99 x 6.50l; 1.37 #File Name: 0813923328304 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Much More Than a Great BiographyBy Steven KnottFor those of you who eagerly await the one book on Civil War naval history for every fifty released concerning the land war; you will not be disappointed. Not only is this book an exceptional biography of Admiral Du Pont; but it also provides a thorough look at the Navy during the service's formative years prior to the Civil War. This is possible because Du Pont's influence proved instrumental during this period; he authored the first comprehensive national maritime strategy (which provided guidance for transforming the Navy from a coastal defense force into a "Blue Water" service with offensive capability); as well as catalyzed much-needed personnel reform. Du Pont's at-sea adventures in the Mexican War and during a hazardous voyage to the Far East also make for great reading. What sets this book apart from any good biography; however; is the insightful discussion of civil-military friction and ill-conceived reliance on technology that characterize Du Pont's 1863 attack on Charleston; SC. Du Pont was against this operation (believing it to be an unnecessary peripheral enterprise that would siphon off valuable - and limited - resources from the all-important blockade); but Lincoln; Navy Secretary Welles; and Assistant Secretary Fox all though the capture of Charleston had important symbolic value. Since civilian leadership sets policy and related strategic objectives; Du Pont saluted smartly and began planning the operation. Friction arose when the admiral tried to persuade Welles and Fox that Charleston could only be captured via a joint Army-Navy operation. Welles and Fox (demonstrating blatant service parochialism) favored an all-Navy operation; and instructed Du Pont to proceed without Army assistance. Despite evidence to the contrary (Drewry's Bluff; VA and Fort McAllister; GA); Welles and Fox were convinced that monitor ironclads alone could destroy Charleston's forts and capture the city; as a result; they confidently assured Lincoln that the monitor technology would prevail. Of course; Du Pont was correct and the operation tragically ended in failure. Civil-military friction and technology as a military panacea are familiar themes throughout American military history - and we see them still in the current global war on terrorism. Colonel Weddle; therefore; does the reader a great service by providing such a thought-provoking discussion and analysis of these crucial issues. Superbly written; thoroughly researched; and well organized; this book was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. For lovers of history; a marvelous book!By Gregory N. BrownA fascinating book! I particularly appreciate the way the author integrates Du Pont's human strengths and frailties with the bureaucratic; logistical; and armament systems of the time. He provided just enough background information on Du Pont's family; peers; and related events for readers to appreciate their impact without being taken off track. Ultimately the reader sees the guy as very much a real man with skills; challenges; successes and failures that are just as relevant today as 150 years ago. (Anyone who doubts the relevance of history to modern events need only read this book.) Finally; I greatly enjoyed learning about the technological advances of the day in the context of the times. It's easy for us today to look back at the Civil War as being an "old-style war" like that of 1812; but in reading Weddle's book I was enlightened to the fact that from a technological attitudes standpoint; the Civil War was much more of a "modern" war than I had previously realized. What kid isn't fascinated by the battle of the Monitor and the Virginia (Merrimack); for example? In history books that event is always presented as an isolated incident; but thanks to this book I now realize that steam-powered vessels and ironclads were the wonder weapons of their day -- they captured the public imagination (and those of military planners) just as tanks; jets; and nuclear weapons have in more recent times. It has been a truly delightful read and I've learned a lot. Incredible the peers Du Pont rubbed elbows with at the time -- legendary heroes like Stephen Decatur and Matthew Perry. If you like history; you will love this book. Not only does it offer fascinating facts and insights into a man and his times; but it reads like a novel. Don't miss it!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Inter-service Rivalry and a Civil War FiascoBy G. Paul WonnacottWeddle has given us a sympathetic tale of one of the premier figures of the 19th century navy -- Samuel Francis Du Pont; whose statue initially graced Washington's Dupont Circle before it was moved to his home state of Delaware and replaced by a fountain.The climax of Du Pont's career was his least-succesful campaign -- the abortive attempt to take heavily-fortified Charleston from the sea. Weddle convincingly argues that this attack -- undertaken in spite of Du Pont's reservations -- was doomed to failure. The early ironclads were simply no match for heavy shore-based fortifications. In the best tradition of inter-service rivalry; the Navy rejected Du Pont's request for a joint army-navy assault: "I beg of you not to let the Army spoil it."Equally interesting is Weddle's description of Du Pont's early career; which spanned a period of rapid technological change; from sail to sidewheeled steamers to ironclads with screws. Perhaps Du Pont's most important and lasting contribution was his successful struggle to introduce merit into the navy's promotion system.
