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Rating: 
Summary: Civil War Emperor William Tecumseh Sherman's New Clothes
Review: The author states that he did not wish to write yet another book on the Civil War. James Brewer has lived up to that pledge by telling a story which transcends categorization into "Civil War Books."
Colonel Tom Worthington was a truly decent man, whose family values, training at West Point, and experience as a soldier, shouted out to him that General William Tecumseh Sherman was not demonstrating the behavior of a good leader during the weeks and days directly before the Battle of Shiloh.
Chiefly because of Worthington's criticism of Sherman at Shiloh, General Sherman had him court-martialled out of the army.
With thorough research and notes, Brewer tells Tom Worthington's story, showing how his age and life experience compelled him to dare to stand up to General Sherman, and declare to the world that the emperor had no clothes.
These are not just an author's assertions, but carefully documented facts which Worthington presented against Sherman: his lack of proper drilling, lack of proper posting of pickets, ignorance of reconnaissance tactics, refusal to implement defensive tactics (such as the abatis), and Sherman's contempt for many of his subordinate officers.
This is an excellent book; not just for history or Civil War buffs, but for all people who have just known that they were right, despite the unwillingness of others to believe them.
One more teaser: Col. Tom Worthington took his case all the way to Abraham Lincoln--read the book for Lincoln's reaction!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, author taught at West Point
Review: This is an excellent book and reads very fast. .This book concerns Shiloh and one Union Officer. ( Col. Tom Worthington) who was a West Point graduate.
While the Union soldiers were camped at Shiloh Col. Worthington, rode around camp looking for axes, so his troops could level the trees in front of his regiment. ( This is called, clearing a 'field of fire') Sherman didn't think it was necessary. In fact Sherman felt they were in no danger of attack. Even though the records point out that several officers told Sherman there were Confederate Cavalry close by, and about 200 Confederate soldiers watched some of the Union officers review their troops at Shiloh. Many of the Union regiments had never had one drill before the Confederate attack, which resulted in many of them not being able to respond when they were attacked. In fact, many of the Union soldiers had never even fired their rifles one time, let alone practiced drills of any kind. Sherman in fact told some of his regiments, after they warned him, 'if they were that afraid, maybe they should just go back to Ohio'. ( as a minor note, even General Grant did not believe they would be attacked) Col. Worthington, of course would not be silenced, in his protests of the Union not being prepared, either before the attack or after. In fact, Col. Worthington became more outspoken after the battle, against Sherman, and laid much of the blame on Sherman for not being prepared. Worthington and Sherman hated each other intensely. Sherman waited for his chance, as a superior officer. Sherman had Col. Worthington court-martialed, he was convicted, and later Judge Holt overturned Col. Worthington's court-martial. Yet, Worthington was not allowed to rejoin the army. Worthington later, even met twice with Lincoln. The second time Lincoln referred the matter to Grant. Grant of course did not want Col. Worthington back in. Col. Worthington was an arrogant person, older than Grant and Sherman. But, the facts bear out he was right at Shiloh. One has to wonder why Grant and Sherman did not want Col. Worthington back in the army. Were they afraid Worthington would continue to talk, or perhaps look for mistakes? or create dissension. There is no question, Col. Worthington, of the 46th Ohio Vol. performed admirably at Shiloh. Perhaps even going so far as to save one entire wing of Grants army. If you're a Civil War buff, this is one book that is really interesting and well worth reading.
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