Military Reminiscences of the Civil War, Volume 2: November 1863-June 1865 — Story, Setting & Ideas

Grant's Intellectual Methods and Command Style

Cox devotes considerable space to assessing Ulysses S. Grant's approach to command, particularly after Grant took overall charge in 1863. He describes Grant's "taciturnity" and "patience," noting that Grant would allow discussions in his presence before forming "clear judgments." One anecdote mentions Grant's fondness for a "good anecdote," hinting at a less formal side. Cox also examines Grant's handling of the change in command at Chattanooga, when Rosecrans was relieved and Thomas succeeded him. He notes that Grant "acquiesced" in Stanton's use of Dana's dispatches to justify the relief, suggesting a pragmatic acceptance of political realities. These observations are drawn from Cox's own interactions with Grant and from official correspondence, giving the reader a sense of how Grant's mind worked in practice.

The Knoxville Campaign and Siege

The siege of Knoxville in late 1863 forms a major episode. Cox describes the topography of the place, the assignment of defensive positions, and the construction of forts. He highlights the death of General Sanders, calling it an act of "self-sacrifice." The assault on Fort Sanders is recounted in detail: the Confederate attack, the repulse, and the aftermath. Cox also discusses the strategic context—how Bragg sent Longstreet into East Tennessee, creating a "cross-purposes" situation. He notes that Grant sent Sherman to raise the siege, and that Longstreet eventually retreated toward Virginia. Throughout, Cox relies on official records and his own presence at Knoxville, offering a firsthand account of a campaign that he argues was misunderstood by Halleck but grasped by Grant.

Sherman's March to the Sea: Planning and Execution

Cox provides insight into the planning of Sherman's March to the Sea, reproducing dispatches and conversations. He shows Sherman's reasoning: that pursuing Hood was "folly" and that holding long railroad lines exposed small detachments to being "picked up in detail." Sherman's dispatch to Halleck on November 19, 1864, mapped out his scheme, naming Savannah as the real objective while asking the Navy to watch Charleston, Savannah, Pensacola, and Mobile—"I will turn up somewhere." Cox also recounts a meeting at Gaylesville where Sherman praised Cox's handling of the Twenty-Third Corps and discussed the reorganization of forces. The excerpts reveal how Sherman balanced Thomas's defensive needs with his own offensive plans, and how Cox himself was involved in the transition.

Cox's memoir is best read as a primary source that combines personal recollection with documentary rigor. Readers interested in the mechanics of Union command—how orders were formulated, how generals interacted, and how strategy evolved—will find rich material. The book assumes familiarity with the war's broad outline; newcomers may wish to consult a general history first. Cox's voice is measured and analytical, offering a model of how a senior officer can reflect on his own service without descending into mere self-justification.

That rainy afternoon, Cox’s volume left me in the haze of staff tents and campaign smoke, yet his quiet respect for the common soldier lingered most. I found myself wandering into a private’s account instead, closer to the mud than the maps. The difference felt profound—less strategy, more footsteps—and that Personal Recollections of the Civil War By One Who Took Part in It as a Private Soldier in the 21st Volunteer Regiment of Infantry from Massachusetts — Context and Discussion turned weather into memory.