- Joined
- Apr 18, 2019
- Location
- Upstate New York
Any one have a favorite book on the Meridian Campaign to recommend? I'm especially interested in the impact on the local population as Sherman experimented with living entirely off the land.
I'm especially interested in the impact on the local population
I've read some of here articles but did not know she had written a book on this - looks like a great source. Thanks!I think there is another thread on this topic.
I bought Margi Riddle Bearss' (yes, Ed's wife) book "Sherman's Forgotten Campaign; The Meridian Expedition". I admit that I didn't read all the way through it as I was mainly focused on the cavalry operations that resulted in the battle of Okolona. There is not enough clear information on that aspect of it. One chapter is entitled REBEL CAVALRY IS SENT NORTHWARD TO COUNTER SMITH'S THRUST.
It may have some material that you are looking for based upon titles of some of the chapters/sections:
Decatur is Put to the Torch
Meridian is Overrun by Yankees; Demolition Teams Are Sent Out in All Directions
Forces Destroy Railroads and Bridges; Homes Are Looted, Burned as Confederates Retreat
Yankees Burn, Loot, and Wreck Meridian
Lauderdale Springs is Spared
Canton Escapes the Torch
I am blessed with the world's best librarian here in my hometown - he can get me anything! I will put in a reserve for the Bearss book today and read the .pdf in the meantime. Thanks so much for posting it."Sherman's Forgotten Campaign; The Meridian Expedition" by Margie Bearss (1987) is, in my opinion, the best book on the Meridian Campaign, but it is very difficult to find an available copy for purchase, as the book is out of publication. You can find one from time to time online but they typically sell from $70 - $300 each, depending on condition.
Below I have attached a PDF for you detailing the Meridian Campaign (Federal perspective) which was an article published in the Chicago Tribune on March 14, 1864. The article was written from daily notes taken by one of their correspondents who was embedded with Sherman`s Army during the Meridian Campaign, from Vicksburg to Meridian and then back to Vicksburg. It includes much detailed reporting of the impact on the local population that interest`s you during that Campaign.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade, comprised of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry (Earle), 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers (Boyles), 12th Mississippi Cavalry (Inge), 11th Mississippi Cavalry (Perrin) and the 9th Mississippi Cavalry (Miller), was the primary brigade that opposed Sherman`s army during the vast majority of the Campaign, fighting daily against his advance and vanguard from Morton, Ms. on 9 Feb 1864 until they reached Meridian on 14 Feb 1864. They were also responsible for slowing Sherman`s march by burning bridges, felling trees and brush across the roads, rivers, creeks and streams, and tearing up the roads with pick axes, shovels and spades. During this time the rest of S. D Lee`s Cavalry Corps; William Hicks Jackson, Wirt Adams and Peter B. Starke, were for the most part staying beneath the southern Railroad just in case Sherman turned at any time to march on Mobile.
Look at Column 3 under the "Great Mississippi Expedition".
"Sherman's Forgotten Campaign; The Meridian Expedition" by Margie Bearss (1987) is, in my opinion, the best book on the Meridian Campaign, but it is very difficult to find an available copy for purchase, as the book is out of publication. You can find one from time to time online but they typically sell from $70 - $300 each, depending on condition.
Below I have attached a PDF for you detailing the Meridian Campaign (Federal perspective) which was an article published in the Chicago Tribune on March 14, 1864. The article was written from daily notes taken by one of their correspondents who was embedded with Sherman`s Army during the Meridian Campaign, from Vicksburg to Meridian and then back to Vicksburg. It includes much detailed reporting of the impact on the local population that interest`s you during that Campaign.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson`s Cavalry Brigade, comprised of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry (Earle), 56th Alabama Partisan Rangers (Boyles), 12th Mississippi Cavalry (Inge), 11th Mississippi Cavalry (Perrin) and the 9th Mississippi Cavalry (Miller), was the primary brigade that opposed Sherman`s army during the vast majority of the Campaign, fighting daily against his advance and vanguard from Morton, Ms. on 9 Feb 1864 until they reached Meridian on 14 Feb 1864. They were also responsible for slowing Sherman`s march by burning bridges, felling trees and brush across the roads, rivers, creeks and streams, and tearing up the roads with pick axes, shovels and spades. During this time the rest of S. D Lee`s Cavalry Corps; William Hicks Jackson, Wirt Adams and Peter B. Starke, were for the most part staying beneath the southern Railroad just in case Sherman turned at any time to march on Mobile.
Look at Column 3 under the "Great Mississippi Expedition".
I think by the time folks on both sides had seen enough suffering inflicted on their family, friends, and neighbors they lost a sense of the opposing side as anything but an enemy to be vanquished. And though some on the Union side were taken aback by Sherman's harsh tactics they learned to applaud his victories. I doubt we would be any different today, sad to say.I have to be honest here. Reading that column drives thorns into my heart. "the enemy" "their haste" in defeat, "the people must suffer for want of food". It's not like reading about the great battles of WWII or WWI, the spin is the same, but the people involved are different. The 56th was there, that is my boy Sam; an old man at 16 years of age. How in the world does the world devolve this madly? I certainly wouldn't trust any of today's "leadership" to build and sustain an Army to perform these efforts. What were we thinking, on both sides?
Looks like another place where your ancestor and mine were riding together @2nd Alabama Cavalry
"Sherman's Forgotten Campaign; The Meridian Expedition" by Margie Bearss (1987) is, in my opinion, the best book on the Meridian Campaign, but it is very difficult to find an available copy for purchase, as the book is out of publication. You can find one from time to time online but they typically sell from $70 - $300 each, depending on condition.
Mrs. Bearss' book is by far the best work on the Meridian Campaign.
And you're right, finding a decent copy is still almost impossible.
I searched for a copy about three years ago.
The prices were outrageous.
Today, $300 for a good copy is actually a decent price.
Still expensive . . . yes.
But much more affordable than thirty-six months ago.
Supply & Demand at it's best.