The Summer of '63: Vicksburg & Tullahoma

Main Themes and Topics

"The Summer of '63: Vicksburg & Tullahoma" by Chris Mackowski provides an in-depth exploration of the pivotal summer of 1863 during the American Civil War. The book delves into the contrasting campaigns of Vicksburg and Tullahoma, highlighting their strategic significance. The fall of Vicksburg marked a major turning point, severing the Confederacy and opening the Mississippi to Union control, while the Tullahoma campaign, though overshadowed in history, demonstrated significant Union success with minimal casualties. The book effectively ties these campaigns together, portraying them as part of the larger strategic push that would bring the Civil War closer to its conclusion.

Writing Style and Tone

The writing style of Chris Mackowski in "The Summer of '63: Vicksburg & Tullahoma" is both engaging and informative, characteristic of the public historians from the Emerging Civil War community. The book combines academic rigor with a narrative flair that makes complex military strategies accessible to a wider audience. Illustrations throughout the book serve to enhance the reader's understanding, complementing the detailed descriptions of military maneuvers and decisions. Mackowski maintains a tone that is both challenging and provocative, inviting readers to rethink commonly held perceptions of these lesser-acknowledged campaigns.

Awards and Recognition

The book has been recognized as "an important contribution to Civil War scholarship" by the NYMAS Review, solidifying its place as a valuable resource for enthusiasts and historians alike.

Criticism

Some readers may find that the focus on the Tullahoma campaign, while illuminating in its coverage, does not entirely dispel its overshadowed status when compared to the grander narratives of other Civil War battles. However, this emphasis is part of the book's intent to bring attention to these crucial yet often overlooked events.

Brief Summary

"The Summer of '63: Vicksburg & Tullahoma" meticulously unpacks the events surrounding two critical Union victories in 1863. The work illustrates how Union general Ulysses S. Grant's persistence paid off in the Vicksburg campaign, culminating in a decisive siege that bifurcated the Confederacy. Simultaneously, the Union Army of the Cumberland's adept maneuvers in the Tullahoma campaign, led by Commander William Rosecrans, secured a significant strategic advantage with remarkably few casualties, though history would largely overshadow these achievements. Together, these campaigns underscore the summer of 1863 as a watershed moment in the Civil War.