An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government

Rating:
Summary: An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days
Review: An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government written by William C.Davis is a book using original research, has a flowing narrative with a dramatic style and clear historical accuracy.

This book is about the last few months left in the Confederate States Government with Jefferson Davis as the autocratic president and John C. Breckinridge as general and secretary of war. Jefferson Davis, though reluctant at first to serve as President of the Confederacy, later vowed never to surrender whatever the cost. While Breckenridge and others saw the writing on the wall and were trying to get Jefferson Davis to pack it in and surrender. John C. Breckenridge hoped the pragmatism would save the shattered remenants of the land he loved, but to no avail.

This book recounts the astounding journey of the entire Confederate Cabinet as they fled Richmond by train, then by whatever means were available... all the way to Cuba for Breckenridge and Benjamin. If you like the books "April 1865: The Month that Saved America" by Jay Winik and "Damage Them All You Can: Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia" by George Walsh are excellent adjuncts to this book. Reading these three books will flesh out the time period and you'll get a better picture as to what was really happening.

"An Honorable Defeat" brings those times long ago past to the light of today with factual writing making this book one of the best-researched and best-written books on history of this time period. In 1865, as the American Civil War entered its last tormented weeks, preceptive men in the Confederate States of Amreica realized that whether or not their side would fall was no longer the ultimate issue, but rather how it should fall. the tragedy of recent generation in central Europe, and in their own hemisphere in Mexico and South America, told them all too well of the retaliation, revenge, and the long dark noight of oppression that could follow defeat in an internal struggle.

In the end, "An Honorable Defeat" shows us the personal struggle between two men, both of whom had fought for the cause, but from radically different motivations, and each of whom now faced the close with dramatically opposing hopes and ideas of how it should end... Jefferson Davis And John C. Breckenridge.

THis is a keeper for your Civil War History Library.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting read about demise of Confederates
Review: An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government by William C. Davis is an interesting read concerning the final demise of the Confederate Government. It follows the Confederates through the last couple months of its existence from the retreat from Richmond to Lee's surrender and the cabinet members race for freedom.

Its central focus is the tension between Jefferson Davis and John Breckenridge, the Confederate Secretary of War. Davis wished to continue the War and Breckenridge hoped to end it in a honorable manner. History demonstrates that Breckenridge was the ultimate winner of the conflict, though his efforts cannot be said to have been pivotal to the outcome.

This book should be read in conjunction with April 1865: The Month That Saved America-- by Jay Winik. Both cover similar subjects, with different emphasis and conclusions.

While the manner in which the Civil War was to end was a basic premise of the book, the book finally devolves into the account of Breckenridge and other Cabinet Members attempts to escape. While this is interesting, Davis spends much to much time describing every minute detail. The last pages of the book border on monotony.

Davis' book is a good read even given its limitations. If one wants to gain an understanding of the end of the Civil War it is a good read.

Rating:
Summary: An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days
Review: An Honorable Defeat: The Last Days of the Confederate Government written by William C.Davis is a book using original research, has a flowing narrative with a dramatic style and clear historical accuracy.

This book is about the last few months left in the Confederate States Government with Jefferson Davis as the autocratic president and John C. Breckinridge as general and secretary of war. Jefferson Davis, though reluctant at first to serve as President of the Confederacy, later vowed never to surrender whatever the cost. While Breckenridge and others saw the writing on the wall and were trying to get Jefferson Davis to pack it in and surrender. John C. Breckenridge hoped the pragmatism would save the shattered remenants of the land he loved, but to no avail.

This book recounts the astounding journey of the entire Confederate Cabinet as they fled Richmond by train, then by whatever means were available... all the way to Cuba for Breckenridge and Benjamin. If you like the books "April 1865: The Month that Saved America" by Jay Winik and "Damage Them All You Can: Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia" by George Walsh are excellent adjuncts to this book. Reading these three books will flesh out the time period and you'll get a better picture as to what was really happening.

"An Honorable Defeat" brings those times long ago past to the light of today with factual writing making this book one of the best-researched and best-written books on history of this time period. In 1865, as the American Civil War entered its last tormented weeks, preceptive men in the Confederate States of Amreica realized that whether or not their side would fall was no longer the ultimate issue, but rather how it should fall. the tragedy of recent generation in central Europe, and in their own hemisphere in Mexico and South America, told them all too well of the retaliation, revenge, and the long dark noight of oppression that could follow defeat in an internal struggle.

In the end, "An Honorable Defeat" shows us the personal struggle between two men, both of whom had fought for the cause, but from radically different motivations, and each of whom now faced the close with dramatically opposing hopes and ideas of how it should end... Jefferson Davis And John C. Breckenridge.

THis is a keeper for your Civil War History Library.

Rating:
Summary: Remarkable effort.
Review: As Jefferson Davis was being taken to Augusta to be placed on a ship after his arrest a young Georgia boy stood and watched the President pass. That young boy would some fifty years later sink into a political mire due to the same personality flaw that Jefferson Davis exibited so clearly in 1865. Neither Jefferson Davis or Woodrow Wilson were ever able to admit defeat or that they might be wrong. This attidude cost Wilson his League of Nations and could have caused terrible additional suffering in the South had Davis not been forced to finally admit defeat.

William C. Davis gives us a wonderful look at the Confederate government during its last days in Richmond and on to the final escape of two of its top officals to England while the President was chained in prison. We get a view of Davis as he moved to carry on the war by whatever means, never accepting that the "cause" was lost. We also see Sec. of War Breckinridge trying to stop Davis' madness and checking the President's plans at every turn. I doubt Davis could have carried on the war even without Breckinridge's efforts but the man from Kentucky has to be given credit for looking to the South's future and the Confederacy's legacy at a time when the end could have well been the farce he feared.

Two of the more interesting parts of the book show both Breckinridge's skill and his and the rest of these historical figures human nature. In the first instance it is amazing just how close Breckinridge came in dealing with Sherman to gaining for the South a peace that no one could have ever thought possible. The Sec. of War almost got the South back in the Union with no sanction except the loss of slavery. Davis himself seemed shocked at the terms Breckinridge and Sherman worked out. The other story from this book that sticks in one's mind is the sight of the President, Sec. of War, Postmaster General, and other top Confederate officals down in the dirt playing marbles. These men were indeed human.

Finally, I rather liked the stories of the escape paths taken by Benjaman and Breckinridge. While it added little to the point of the book except to show Breckinridge's strong desire to get to England and settle as many of the Confederacy's debts as possible in an honorable manner it was still a study in endurance.

Bravo Mr. Davis. This book is well worth all five stars I gave it.

Rating:
Summary: The War did not end with Lee's surrender
Review: For those of us who believed that the Civil War ended with Lee's surrender to Grant, this book is somewhat of a revelation. The death throes of the Confederacy continued for some time after and Davis does a decent job in detailing the distintigration of the Confederate government.
I must admit that I believe Davis overstated his case somewhat in bestowing virtual sainthood to John C. Breckinridge while demonizing Jefferson Davis as a hopeless and bitter warmonger. I think that Jefferson Davis's reaction to Lincoln's assasination was very revealing of the man and I only wished that this was explored more fully in the book. Breckinridge certainly played a not inconsiderable part in the tragedy of the Civil War (see Bruce Catton's brilliant The Coming Fury). I could not help but admire Jefferson Davis's decision to stay and face the consequences as opposed to Breckinridge's decision to flee the country til it was safe to return.
Despite these minor quibbles, I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal about the end of the Civil War that has been ignored by most history books.

Rating:
Summary: Great but about 100 pages too long.
Review: I was heading out to a vacation in the South and decided to take along "An Honorable Defeat". It was a wise choice because it gave me an interesting perspective about the last days of the Confederacy. It also gave me some perspective about the history of some of the places I travelled through. I found the book very well-written and I certainly enjoyed the author's portrait of the main characters. Jefferson Davis comes across as a very aloof leader who was incapable of surrender when there was at least the promise of some Confederates still in uniform. The hero of the book is General John C. Breckinridge who comes across as the man who SHOULD have led the Conderacy because of his insight and leadership. We are introduced to the other leaders of the Confederacy as well who offer a wide array of personalities. This is the story of the end. It essentially begins with Lee's surrender and we follow the Confederate government as it moves further and further south looking for an army or armies that will lead it in another attempt at glory. Breckinridge sees the futility but Jefferson Davis doesn't. As they continue their journey, their ranks steadily shrink until they are vulnerable even to their own Rebel stragglers who know that they carry the remaining treasury of the Confederacy. In a sense it is a tragedy but we can't bring ourselves to cheer for the likes of President Davis. I found it a very informative book that picks up on the history that most people think ended with Appomattox. The problem is like that of many Civil War books; it is saturated with detail. In the case of "An Honorable Defeat", the problem is somewhat offset by the skilled writing of the author. This book reads almost like a novel. However, we learn more than we need to in order to know what we need to. True Civil War buffs probably already knew much of this but the rest of us can learn a lot by reading this book.

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Summary: On the road with Jeff, John and Judah
Review: It's rare to have a window on an ousted government on the run. In modern times, the Failed President, Great Dictator, or Big Daddy just scuttles under some Third World rock to settle down and enjoy the retirement benefits of a Swiss bank account. In AN HONORABLE DEFEAT, we have a more satisfying story.

As General Robert E. Lee's defense of the South's capital became untenable, President Jefferson Davis evacuated Richmond on April 1, 1865 with his Cabinet Secretaries: John Breckinridge (War), Judah Benjamin (State), John Reagan (Postmaster General), George Trenholm (Treasury), Stephen Mallory (Navy), and George Davis (Attorney General). Heading south by train, wagon, horse, and finally for some, boat, this narrative chronicles the sad odyssey. Oh, and let's not forget the one-half million dollars in coin from the Confederate Treasury, as well as the deposits held by Richmond banks, that went with them.

The escape route eventually led through the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The goal for all was either to get out of the country entirely, or to join up with Confederate forces west of the Mississippi and continue the fight. Few made it. The narrative focuses chiefly on Jefferson Davis, Breckinridge, and Benjamin. The reader can only be amazed at Jeff's stubborn state of denial. He was convinced that the war could be continued (and won!) if only he could join any remaining Confederate force still in the field. Finally, though, he's redeemed when he puts his family above all other considerations.

If there's a "hero" in this saga, it's Breckinridge, who labored mightily, against his President's fixation, to bring the conflict to an honorable close rather than a farce, and in doing so save Southern lives and property. The Secretary of War's ultimate daring and perilous escape by small boat to Cuba is the stuff of legend, if not a good Hollywood movie.

Benjamin, the ever-jolly Secretary of State with no more demand for his statecraft, just thought of himself. He never looked back, and got the furthest.

Author William Davis does a magnificent job tying together the potentially confusing escape routes and timelines of the various fugitives, who sometimes travelled together, split up, and then rejoined. The text is supplemented by a perfectly adequate map and a section of photographs. The post-war loose ends of all concerned are tidied up in an Aftermath chapter.

And the Confederate monies? Most was disbursed in payment to escort troops and for supplies en route, or was ultimately confiscated by the Yankees. However, $170,000 in gold was looted by raiders in Georgia. As the author dryly notes:

"... the stolen treasure ... was never seen again. Locals years hence told of friends who removed to Missouri and California with sudden fortunes, never to return." California, yes. But Missouri?

As a work of popular history, AN HONORABLE DEFEAT is masterfully researched and eruditely told. It's a must-read for any Civil War buff.

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Summary: Flight and Fancy of the Last Confederates
Review: John C. Breckenridge is the hero of William Davis' new book "An Honorable Defeat." The former US Vice President, Confederate general and Jefferson Davis' last Secretary of War earns the title in the author's description of the battle between Breckenridge and CSA President Davis. Their confrontation was over continuing the struggle as Davis wanted or accepting the obvious and affording the southern people peace, an easier reconstruction and ultimately honor, as Breckenridge strove for and ultimately helped bring about.

Parts of this book are interesting. The author details the last gasps of the Confederate cabinet in Richmond as it struggles with the encirclement of Grant and his Union host. Robert E. Lee and Breckenridge concoct an effort to present Jefferson Davis with a fait accompli and hopefully end the war. Although the strategy was agreed to, Lee pulled up at the last moment, reverting in his argument to dutiful soldier serving his president instead of agent of history who had a chance to serve the South by recognizing the inevitable. This interesting vignette had been unknown to me as a Civil War enthusiast and is the type of fascinating tidbit that the civil war reader will appreciate. (Although it must be noted, this occured before Appomattox and was designed to end the war everywhere. With his own field army, Lee did perform a great service to the nation by surrendering instead of attempting to break out or encourage partisan warfare).

The book also traces the flight of the Confederate government out of Richmond and it's travails as it sheds respect, adherents, transport and finally hope along the trail. In the midst of this journey, Breckenridge almost pulls off a very soft landing for the Confederacy when he and Joseph Johnston negotiate the short-lived broad peace with General Sherman. Unwanted by Davis and rejected by the North, this foray illustrates the lengths to which Breckenridge was working against Davis at this point. An effective and purposeful man, Breckenridge had for all intents and purposes become the leader of what little remained of the Confederacy and continually maneuvered to force Davis to end his dream of escaping across the Mississippi to continue the struggle. At crucial times, the Secretary of War also thwarted Davis' policies and desires in order to avoid more senseless bloodshed and the Confederacy's slip into "farce" as he termed it.

This battle of wills is interesting. So are the last gasps of the rebel government and the winding down of hostilities.

Less interesting is the journey that the Davis party took in aimlessly wandering around the Carolinas and Georgia. The final escape of Breckenridge and Secretary of State Judah Benjamin through Florida is also recounted in some detail.

All in all this book has some interesting and little explored history. Those parts are well written. The travelogue is less aptly dealt with and the author does have some excess pages detailing the various rides and camp settings that could have been trimmed down and told with more verve. The final journey of Breckenridge, which was fraught with danger, also somehow didn't come off as exciting as it I thought it could have been.

However, on the whole this book will please the Civil War devotee looking to explore yet another facet of the great struggle that never loses its hold on our imaginations. The general reader might find this a little too focused.

Rating:
Summary: 'An Honorable Defeat' is a victory
Review: This book recounts the final months of the confederate government and its flight from Richmond, describing the individual movements of the cabinet members, their staff and escorts in riveting detail. I was personally left with newfound respect for General John C. Breckinridge, who was also serving as Secretary of War in the grim final months of the Confederacy. I found this book to be exceptionally well written. Davis is quite the accomplished author so this comes as no great surprise. However, the novelistic style of this enlightening work is captivating, and grips your attention from beginning to end.

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Summary: A Noble Finale
Review: William Davis has written a comprehensive account of the last days of the Confederate Government. Chapter 1 reviews President Jefferson Davis's cabinet and briefly outlines the career of John Breckinridge (appointed Secretary of War in January 1865 and a key player in the final days of the Confederacy).

Failing to break to break through Grant's encircling line at Petersburg, on April 2nd Robert E. Lee notified Davis and Breckinridge, that the government should immediately leave Richmond as he only could hold his position until that night. That evening two trains took Davis and his cabinet to Danville, Virginia with Breckinridge following later by horseback leading a train of wagons. While Breckinridge was traveling to Danville, Lee surrendered his army.

The author narrates the escape of the Confederate Government as it traveled to Danville, Greensboro, and then Charlotte. The text gives an interesting account of Breckinridge in Charlotte traveling to join General Joe Johnston in negotiations with Sherman for surrender terms. Breckinridge largely framed the Confederacy's proposal. Sherman's generous terms (which Davis didn't like) were soon rejected in Washington. Johnston now had no choice except to surrender. To escape capture, Davis's government traveled to Abbeville and then to Washington, Georgia.

From Danville on, as the government moved south citizens began breaking into and looting the remaining military stores. The author notes "Tragically after four years of heroic sacrifice, what remained of the Confederacy had to be protected from its own people," At Washington, Georgia the government was essentially dissolved. Midshipmen R.H. Fleming's lamented "I fear all is lost but our honor."

While the book is an account of the final weeks of the Confederacy, the underlying theme is Breckinridge's efforts to achieve an honorable defeat and not have the war end as a "farce." The author notes that by 1865 it was no longer a question of would the Confederacy fall, but rather "how" it should fall. The author states perceptive men wished to avoid the retaliation, revenge, and oppression such as occurred in Mexico and South America following defeat in an internal struggle. Early in 1865, faced with certain defeat, Breckinridge, Lee and Assistant Secretary of War John Campbell wished to use the presence of Confederate armies in the field to bargain for better terms rather than be defeated and forced into "subjugation when they no longer had anything, even surrender, with which to bargain." However, Jefferson Davis wanted no part of any plan to end the war short of independence. After the surrender of Lee's and Johnston's armies, the author notes "it was clear that Jefferson Davis was not about to abandon his dreams for independence, but merely to change their shape ". He wished to continue the war as a partisan conflict and to cross the Mississippi River and continue the war from Texas.

Now Breckinridge wanted get Jefferson Davis safely out of the country to save the South from the humiliation of Davis's capture, conviction and possible execution. However, after leaving Washington, Jefferson Davis was captured the next morning outside of Irwinville. Breckinridge and a cavalry unit, which were trying to decoy Union cavalry away from Davis, escaped capture. The author next gives a graphic account of the escape to Cuba of Breckinridge and then Benjamin; either escape would make a fascinating adventure movie.

The final chapter, Aftermath, recounts the post Civil War history of Davis and the key members of his government. Benjamin practiced law in England and never returned. Other cabinet members stayed or returned to the United States, but afterwards they rarely saw each other. Regarding Breckinridge, the text continues "From February 1865 onward he saw that the one victory he could win was for the memory and example that the Confederate epic might provide for later generations . . . In preserving its archives for future historians, he helped to guarantee that they would be remembered." The book closes noting that Breckinridge's story was a part of the "magnificent epic" and " he refused to taint it with farce . . .in the fight for moderation and reconciliation over bitterness and recrimination in the years that were to follow . . ." The author correctly states that " the real winner was not a man but America."

My only criticism is that text lacks sufficient dates accompanying the narrative. On occasion, I had to consult other sources for the dates of critical events. However, those interested in the final days of the Confederate government will find this an excellent work.