Engineers at Vicksburg

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I found this ongoing series by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center. It covers both the Union and Confederate Engineers during the Vicksburg Campaign.

The articles are written by Mr. Terry Winschel, retired Vicksburg NMP Historian, author, and one of the leading experts on the Vicksburg Campaign.

I thought some of our Vicksburg enthusiasts might enjoy these articles:

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/209185/engineers-vicksburg-part-one-spinal-column-america

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/207687/engineers-vicksburg-part-two-gibraltar-confederacy

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/208276/engineers-vicksburg-part-three-cannons-over-vicksburg

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/208798/engineers-vicksburg-part-four-grants-canal

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/209732/engineers-vicksburg-part-five-line-defense

 

[Vicksburger]

I found this ongoing series by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center. It covers both the Union and Confederate Engineers during the Vicksburg Campaign.

The articles are written by Mr. Terry Winschel, retired Vicksburg NMP Historian, author, and one of the leading experts on the Vicksburg Campaign.

I thought some Vicksburg enthusiasts might enjoy these articles:

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/209185/engineers-vicksburg-part-one-spinal-column-america

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/207687/engineers-vicksburg-part-two-gibraltar-confederacy

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/208276/engineers-vicksburg-part-three-cannons-over-vicksburg

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/208798/engineers-vicksburg-part-four-grants-canal

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/209732/engineers-vicksburg-part-five-line-defense

Very neat! Thanks for the info. I will be reading these. That reminds me, have you seen a book listed on amazon, I think called "Engineering Victory" about Vicksburg, been out in print for awhile. Wondering if you knew if this book was any good or not? Looks like mainly from the Federal engineers viewpoint? But I can't tell for sure from just the amazon ad.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Very neat! Thanks for the info. I will be reading these. That reminds me, have you seen a book listed on amazon, I think called "Engineering Victory" about Vicksburg, been out in print for awhile. Wondering if you knew if this book was any good or not? Looks like mainly from the Federal engineers viewpoint? But I can't tell for sure from just the amazon ad.

Thanks.

I'm not familiar with this book, but it sounds like a good one.

Actually I'm still searching for a reasonably priced copy of Grabau's work, Ninety-Eight Days: A Geographer's View of the Vicksburg Campaign.

 

[chellers]

Actually I'm still searching for a reasonably priced copy of Grabau's work, Ninety-Eight Days: A Geographer's View of the Vicksburg Campaign.

Ditto, 7th.

 

[Vicksburger]

Thanks.

I'm not familiar with this book, but it sounds like a good one.

Actually I'm still searching for a reasonably priced copy of Grabau's work, Ninety-Eight Days: A Geographer's View of the Vicksburg Campaign.

I was lucky to find one (Grabau's book) in Chicago at A. L. bookstore, for what I considered at that time, an extortionistic price. But I am so happy I spent the "vacation" budget on that book (slight exaggeration). But it is probably one of the best books I've read, and I was so sad to realize he passed away in 2006, because he would be a great source of information. As someone said, the maps alone are worth the purchase price. So I wish you luck in getting that Grabau book. It is worth the extra price.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I was lucky to find one (Grabau's book) in Chicago at A. L. bookstore, for what I considered at that time, an extortionistic price. But I am so happy I spent the "vacation" budget on that book (slight exaggeration). But it is probably one of the best books I've read, and I was so sad to realize he passed away in 2006, because he would be a great source of information. As someone said, the maps alone are worth the purchase price. So I wish you luck in getting that Grabau book. It is worth the extra price.

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that !

I have noticed that the prices have dropped substantially within the last six months.

I just checked out the current Amazon prices a moment ago, I might place an order before the price of the Grabau book skyrockets again.

At least a new copy is now way below what it was six months ago !

 

[alan polk]

It is a brilliant work. I bought mine back in 2002 from Grabau himself. I paid 50.00 back then. I nearly choked when I handed over the money. I got his autograph, though.

However, once I sat down and read it, I was blown away! It is not a book for the person wanting to get a simple overview of the campaign. This book has it all!! If you love the Vicksburg Campaign, it is not just a book but a companion for life. Now that I look back, 50 bucks was a steal!

About 6 months ago I went to the VNMP and noticed that Grabau's book and Bearss' books were not available in the book section of the museum. I asked the nice folks behind the counter about it and they just shrugged their shoulders, said they are not in print anymore. I just don't understand at all. I think works like Bearss and Grabau are too scholarly to make any money for publishers? Now Grabau's book can go as high as 300.00 bucks on eBay. Go figure!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Based upon the reviews by @alan polk & @Vicksburger I just just ordered the book.

I'm thinking I got a great deal.

The price was steep, but still much less than earlier this year.

 

[alan polk]

I promise you will not be disappointed. The only disappointment you'll have is the time it takes to absorb the information- which you can't gather and absorb in the first reading! The maps alone!!! The text, the section on "conjecture"! It's almost too much to take in!!! But that's what makes it extremely valuable. It will be your companion for life, I promise! Glad you you pulled the trigger, you will not regret!!!!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Glad you you pulled the trigger, you will not regret!!!!

Thank you !

I've been running around the Vicksburg Park since I learned how to walk .

I'm really looking forward to finally reading Grabau's book.

 

[Vicksburger]

It is a brilliant work. I bought mine back in 2002 from Grabau himself. I paid 50.00 back then. I nearly choked when I handed over the money. I got his autograph, though.

However, once I sat down and read it, I was blown away! It is not a book for the person wanting to get a simple overview of the campaign. This book has it all!! If you love the Vicksburg Campaign, it is not just a book but a companion for life. Now that I look back, 50 bucks was a steal!

About 6 months ago I went to the VNMP and noticed that Grabau's book and Bearss' books were not available in the book section of the museum. I asked the nice folks behind the counter about it and they just shrugged their shoulders, said they are not in print anymore. I just don't understand at all. I think works like Bearss and Grabau are too scholarly to make any money for publishers? Now Grabau's book can go as high as 300.00 bucks on eBay. Go figure!

I completely agree! Even though Grabau was not a "professional" historian, he somehow picked up that skill to write excellent history. In some ways, (I hate to admit because I dearly love Ed Bearss), but Grabau may even be superior. Yes it is a shame and puzzling why of all places those books are not available at VNMP.

 

[Vicksburger]

Based upon the reviews by @alan polk & @Vicksburger I just just ordered the book.

I'm thinking I got a great deal.

The price was steep, but still much less than earlier this year.

You will not regret it, as Alan says, you will continue to pick it up even after you have read it. Grabau does not simply repeat tired old themes, he thinks with originality. I heard on the radio big screen TV's are coming way down in price, for black Friday, maybe civil war books too.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

In some ways, (I hate to admit because I dearly love Ed Bearss), but Grabau may even be superior. Yes it is a shame and puzzling why of all places those books are not available at VNMP.

Wow !

I'm glad to hear another great review. Thanks.

I have Bearss' three volume work as well and I'm always using it as a reference for a variety of topics connected to the Vicksburg Campaign.

Amazon notified me today that Grabau's book was shipped this afternoon and I should receive it next week.

I'm really looking forward to this one .

 

[alan polk]

Vicksburger, you summed it up better than I! Grabau's work is - not to be sacrilegious- like the Bible in an historical sense.

 

[alan polk]

Wow !

I'm glad to hear another great review. Thanks.

I have Bearss' three volume work as well and I'm always using it as a reference for a variety of topics connected to the Vicksburg Campaign.

Amazon notified me today that Grabau's book was shipped this afternoon and I should receive it next week.

I'm really looking forward to this one .

Bearss was the flag bearer for sure! Anyone who loves the Campaign should have both works. In my mind, Grabau's work is simply a distillation of Bearss' work. And when I say distillation, I mean not to take away from anyone! I love both those guys!

 

[Vicksburger]

Vicksburger, you summed it up better than I! Grabau's work is - not to be sacrilegious- like the Bible in an historical sense.

What kind of a guy was Grabau? That was neat you got to meet him. I can picture in my mind that historic moment when Ed and Grabau and Don Jacks (the river man) were out in their boat in 1956 with their magnet compass or what ever it was, looking for and finding the Cairo.

 

[alan polk]

What kind of a guy was Grabau? That was neat you got to meet him. I can picture in my mind that historic moment when Ed and Grabau and Don Jacks (the river man) were out in their boat in 1956 with their magnet compass or what ever it was, looking for and finding the Cairo.

Grabau was a very big guy, physically. In my mind's eye, he reminded me of a retired NFL linebacker. But his intellectual capacity was like a laser and just as large and potent as a linebacker! He didn't suffer idiots! I found that out when I asked him a question about Steel Bayou Expidition! He chewed me out unmercifully! But what was very neat about Grabau was that he calmed down, realized how Forest-Gumpish I was, and am, and took me aside and explained to me the answer to my query. He was so smart and well-enough adjusted that he apparently felt guilty. After his public speech, and after his public flogging of me, I'll never forget him grabbing me later and giving me a personal dissertation regarding my very stupid question, and apologizing to me in the process. He was a mental giant, and that's no joke! . His work ought to be put in a time capsule. It is on par with the Ancient Greek writers who told of the wars between Athens and Sparta!

 

[1SGDan]

I have Grabau's book (thanks Ole) and enjoyed it immensely. Another lesser known work about the engineer campaign for Vicksburg is:

Seven Story Mountain: The Union Campaign at Vicksburg
by Phillip M. Thienel

Thienel has written extensively about the engineer role in the Civil War.

 

[alan polk]

Thanks 1SGDan, I got it ordered!

 

[Yankeedave]

Interesting thread. Thanks for the tips!