The Collapse of the Confederacy

by Mark Grimsley (Editor), Brooks D. Simpson (Editor)

Practically all Civil War historians agree that after the fall of Atlanta in September 1864 and Lincoln's triumphant reelection in November, the South had no remaining chance to make good its independence. Well aware that Appomattox and Durham Station were close at hand, historians have treated the war's final months in a fashion that smacks strongly of the great, tragic conflict rolls on to its now-certain end.

 

Certain, that is, to us, but deeply uncertain to the millions of Northerners and Southerners who lived through the anxious days of early 1865. The final months of the Confederacy offer fascinating opportunities-as a case study in war termination, as a period that shaped the initial circumstances of Reconstruction, and as a lens through which to analyze Southern society at its most stressful moment. The Collapse of the Confederacy collects six essays that explore how popular expectations, national strategy, battlefield performance, and Confederate nationalism affected Confederate actions during the final months of the conflict.

Genres: History, Essays, Civil War

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Areas of Expertise

US History to 1877
Military History
Human Conflict, Peace, and Diplomacy



Mark Grimsley is a faculty member and member of the history department at The Ohio State University.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection of essays on the nature of Confederate collapse, which came rather suddenly all things considered. I would have liked more on Shermam's operations, but it is a good read. Essays by Woodworth, Feis, and Rable are particularly good with Grimsley contributing the best. To be fair, none of the essays are bad.