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05.05.14 Taylor, Richard, Destruction and Reconstruction: Personal Experiences of the Late War, published in 1879

Notes Concerning the Author:

Richard Taylor’s, Destruction and Reconstruction: Personal Experiences of the Late War, was  published in 1879, making it truly an eye-witness account of the subject being presented.  Richard Taylor (1826—1879) was the son of President Zachary Taylor and the brother-in-law of President Jefferson Davis.  He knew most of the important people on both sides in the War between the States.  Though  not a professional soldier, he was a very able Confederate general, defeating, with a much smaller force, the federal attempt to conquer Louisiana in the Red River campaign.  Taylor was a learned man and a very good writer. 

Abstract:

Taylor’s account of the war and  first-hand characterizations of many of the  leaders are unfailingly interesting.  This is probably the best of all of many Confederate memoirs. 

Availability of the Book:

This book has republished a number of times.   The 1998 edition contains a worthwhile introduction by Clyde N. Wilson.  Suggest Amazon.com.

CNW