First and Second Maryland Cavalry, C.S.A

Rating:
Summary: A second review of Driver's work
Review: I had the priviledge of reviewing this book for a national publication. While I won't duplicate what I wrote before, I do offer the following: Driver's First and Second Maryland Cavalry, C.S.A. offers an indepth look at Maryland and her divided loyalties during the American Civil War. Brother against brother epitomizes the state of affairs in Maryland during the war. Men, loyal to the South, crossed the Potomac river at great personal peril to join Confederate ranks. Many did not make it, subsequently they were imprisoned and often had their property confiscated. Those who did make it acoss that infamous river shared the fortunes of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and the Army of Northern Virginia, disputedly the finest army (Union or Confederate) during the war. Driver spent years researhing sources in pursuit of this fine work and it shows. His grasp of his subject matter as well as his grasp of the complexities of war and of Marylanders is evident. In addition, he offers the muster rolls of the men that served in the First and Second Maryland Cavalry -- this, in itself, is worth the cost of the book. In these muster rolls lies the pathos and drama of every conceivable fortune that awaited the average soldier. Driver's book is recommended reading -- particulary for those who love more indepth studies of Civil War units.