Best book on Civil war Tactics

[hootieleece]

I just found in my local library a very good book about civil war tactics. It is called "the Bloody Crucible of Courage" by Brent Nosworthy. It explains Napoleonic tactics tried in the early going and explains how the rifled musket chaged things. I think that if you read it you will have a better understanding of the battles you can't control.......It also describes artillery tactics and the rise of the Ironclad.



Matt

[Heldenkaiser]

Yes, very good ... and the funny thing is, he could debunk quite some recurrent myths about what formations and doctrines were actually used often, or not so often, by utilizing the full text of the OR on a CD--something earlier scholars simply could not do.

[bostonwicked]

If you really want to read about tactics, look for a copy of Hardee's Tactics this was the manual that was used by both the North & South for training of the soldiers at that time. this manual is still used today for the training of re-eanactment groups. If you get the chance to join one I would highly recomend it the experince is amazing

[captainmatt]

If you want a little lighter reading then Nosworthy, try reading Paddy Griffith's "Battle Tactics of the Civil War" and Archer Jones' Civil War Command And Strategy: The Process Of Victory And Defeat.

Excellent books. I recommend it to all my re-enactor friends.

Battle Tactics of the Civil War

Civil War Command And Strategy: The Process Of Victory And Defeat

- Capt. Matt

[Clovis]

"the Bloody Crucible of Courage" by Brent Nosworthy is outstanding. I'm waiting too the next Hess book about riflearm real effects:
The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat: Reality and Myth (Modern War Studies)



Field Armies and Fortifications by Earl J. Hess is really interesting too.