Cannoneers in Gray: The Field Artillery of the Army of Tennessee (Alabama Fire Ant) Review

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(More customer reviews)(This review pertains to the 2nd edition and probably includes some enhancements over the first.)This was Larry Daniel's first work and it filled a large gap by explaining and reviewing the history of the artillery in the western theater.Daniel has also authored "Confederate Cannon Foundries" and his in-depth knowledge in the unusual types of western CSA ordnance is important in explaining the Army of Tennessee's artillery.

The history of the artillery of the Army of Tennessee is one of painful disappointment offset with a few successes.As the author explains, much of the blame for the artillery's plight came from deficiencies in army command and organization.This was exacerbated by neglect of its priority by those in Richmond, shortages of material, horses, and fodder.Another factor is that the more rugged terrain and less developed road network made it difficult to employ artillery as effectively in the west.Finally, unlike Henry Hunt of the Union Army of the Potomac, there is no central figure on which to focus in understanding the AoT's artillery.

The Army of Tennessee suffered one of the great early disasters of the war at Fort Donelson under Floyd and Pillow.It would suffer many further indignities under Bragg.Bragg did more than anyone else to shape the AoT's artillery arm, but not for the better.Cronyism plagued Bragg's approach to his army and to its long arm, loyalty over competence.Bragg saw his artillery in the light of the past war instead of the present.He stuck to the obsolete distribution of batteries to brigades, and allowed his artillery to operate incoherently and in piecemeal fashion.When officers showed initiative he swatted them down over protocol.

The AoT artillery never gained its footing for long before disaster struck once again.Joe Johnston's tenure was perhaps the only time the western cannoneers were properly organized and prepared.Unfortunately, Joe was hesitant to commit his army to battle, and control passed to Hood. The army declined rapidly under Hood's aggressive command, and the long arm suffered so severely that it was almost entirely unable to join Johnston again in the Carolinas.None of the AoT's batteries was present for the surrender of Johnston's army in Durham.

Some reviewers I respect have complained that Daniel's first edition is too brief compared to those about the AoP, and ANV's artillery, or not useful for wargamers.I can't comment on the first edition, but for the 2nd I disagree for several reasons:1.The other organizations were two to four times as large on average--and therefore require a much higher page count for the same breadth and depth.2.Daniel's recounting of artillery engagements is more factual and concise rather than stylized narrative or divergence into other theaters.3.Daniel's work contains frequent detailed tables of organization and armament by battery, as well as ammunition counts, and several battle maps.4.Primary accounts of the western CSA long arm is sparse and less celebrated than that of eastern artillery organizations.5.Another lesser factor is that page count doesn't correspond to word count, the other texts contain 20-25% less text per page.

Sure an even more detailed account would be appreciated, but the approach Daniel has taken fits his subject.There are some irritating mistakes, such as the consistent misspelling of Resaca--roughly a dozen times.

I believe this 2nd edition will largely fit the needs of those wanting to understand the western artillery arm, and will also prove a valuable resource for the war gamer.

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Product Description:
This enlarged edition of Cannoneers in Gray provides new detail concerning the activities of various military units operating in key campaigns of the western theater of the Civil War - at Stones River, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, Shiloh, Peachtree Creek. Larry Daniel traces the four-year history of the artillery branch of the Army of Tennessee from its organization through its scattered demise at the war's end. He provides evidence to show that Civil War canons were of little consequence when used as offensive weapons but could be highly effective as weapons of defense. Daniel includes five new detailed maps of campaigns and battles that are central to his discussion of larger issues, such as command and strategy on the western front. He has consulted and incorporated many new primary sources that more fully document his original work, first published in 1984.