NF Destruction and Reconstruction ?

[napoleon 12 pounder]

I'm a big fan of memoirs, official reports and orders of battle. While investigating Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah campaign I came upon Gen. Richard Taylor's "Destruction and Reconstruction". It is free as a part of the Gutenberg project. It seems really good. I was wondering if you have read it and if you have any thoughts on the book. here is the link for the book.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23747

respectfully,
Nap. 12 lb'r

 

[BillO]

Yes I've read it and highly recommend it. He is a politically astute observer and is surprisingly candid and descriptive in his descriptions of his fellow officers.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I haven't read Destruction and Reconstruction, but from what I know of Taylor, I would expect it to be quite insightful.

He's one of the Confederate generals who definitely gets less attention than he deserves. While I was reading Warren Grabau's Ninety-Eight Days about the Vicksburg campaign (to which Taylor contributed little, but he did have his hands full in Louisiana at the time), I was thinking that, if Pemberton had been in Taylor's place in Louisiana against Banks, the outcome probably would have been similar to the historical outcome... but what if Taylor had been in Pemberton's place? Taylor was much more aggressive and willing to take a risk to win the big prize; I'd think Grant would have had his hands full.

Note: I think the eventual outcome would have been the same, with Vicksburg falling... the Union had many more cards to play in that game than the Confederacy did, so they could still afford to lose a few hands. But I highly doubt Taylor would have been as motionless at the decisive moments as Pemberton was, and I think it's beyond question that the shape of the campaign would have been very different.

 

[Georgia Sixth]

but what if Taylor had been in Pemberton's place? Taylor was much more aggressive and willing to take a risk to win the big prize; I'd think Grant would have had his hands full.

I think you're exactly right. Taylor paid attention to how Stonewall operated and I think it is quite likely that Taylor would have quickly realized that Grant had no supply line and as such had limited capacity for combat. I suspect Taylor would have engaged him vigorously. It would have been very interesting to see whether the bulldog or the fox would win.

As for Taylor's memoirs, they're great. Very direct and let's you in on what he was thinking and why. He had a deep dislike for Kirby Smith, so I'm not sure how objective his comments about him are, though. To touch back on your "what if" question, pay special attention to Taylor's little known operations against Banks prior to his investment of Port Hudson. I think it gives a good idea of what Grant would have been up against.

 

[kholland]

It's also available free for Kindle at Amazon at :

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TQZ6IW/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Nathanb1]

Wonderful book. I love Taylor....who I came to appreciate quite late in my studies for reasons mentioned above. He was a fighter....and a terrific writer!

 

[napoleon 12 pounder]

I had him on my "check out later" list after reading Shelby Footes account of the red river campaign and now Im researching Stonewalls Shenandoah Campaign who should show up? Dick Taylor. Jackson thought very highly of him and used him as shock troops due to his ability and desire to engage the enemy. He was also a student of history especially military history. An interesting man.

 

[5fish]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/187994121X/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[FZ11]

I'm a big fan of memoirs, official reports and orders of battle. While investigating Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah campaign I came upon Gen. Richard Taylor's "Destruction and Reconstruction". It is free as a part of the Gutenberg project. It seems really good. I was wondering if you have read it and if you have any thoughts on the book. here is the link for the book.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23747

respectfully,
Nap. 12 lb'r

Looks interesting. Thanks!

 

[John Hartwell]

Dick Taylor was a very well educated man, and a great student of history. His memoir is replete with references (sometimes obscure) to Classical history and literature. He accomplished a great deal in Louisiana with very inadequate resources. Confounded Nathaniel Banks no-end. He also had the temerity to say something nice about Ben Butler, noting "General Butler has been so universally abused as to make it pleasant to say a word in his favor. Not that he needs assistance to defend himself; for in the war of epithets he has proved his ability to hold his ground against all comers."