Wow, Wonderful Review!

I have to thank Ted Savas for reviewing my book, The 11th Wisconsin in the Civil War: A Regimental History, and posting it on Amazon.com. Here is that wonderful review!

Invigorating and Useful Regimental History, January 28, 2009
By T. P. S. “Savas Beatie LLC”

There were thousands of regiments in the Civil War. Only a handful have had histories written on their service, and only a slim number of those are worth reading. You can add Chris Wehner’s 11th Wisconsin to the latter category.

This Federal outfit spent its entire career (as did most Wisconsin regiments) in the Western Theater. This region and its campaigns remain woefully understudied, even though the fighting, personalities, and politics were just as fascinating–and perhaps more so–than those in the Eastern Theater. Like so many regiments, the 11th lost more men to disease than bullets. But not because it was stationary guarding some stretch of railroad deep in the rear. The Badgers did guard railroads, but they also logged hundreds of miles chasing Confederate irregulars in Missouri, fought their first battle in Arkansas, and ended up sucked into the maelstrom of Grant’s Vicksburg campaign. Later, the regiment served under the inept Nathaniel Banks in Louisiana and Texas, and capped their combat experience in the useless fighting at Fort Blakely in southern Alabama. By the time it was all over and they were mustered out in September 1865, the men of the 11th had traveled on foot and by rail at least 9,000 miles (and probably more, concludes the author).

The appendices are especially valuable and for some people will be worth the price of the book. The first is a roster with information on each soldier (name, rank, status, wounds, death, etc.). This will be invaluable for genealogical purposes. The second describes the civilian occupations of the members, the third relates to muster sites, and the fourth is a victory sermon by a member of the regiment. The final appendix lists the Army of the Tennessee officers, structure, and how the 11th Wisconsin fit into the entire structure. Experts won’t need it, but beginning students or descendants of members of the regiment will find it useful. Add in the maps and photos (many previously unpublished of men of the regiment), and you have a well rounded and nicely structured regimental history.

Unlike so many books of this nature, Wehner’s is deeply researched and relies on letters, diaries, newspapers, journals, and official records as far as possible. The text is also well written–engaging, in fact–which is also a treat.

Although the price is a tad steep at $45.00, if you are like me and enjoy reading about people, places, and outfits you know little or nothing about, I can highly recommend this title to you

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