James M. McPherson Book Review

Cameron Jolley

Book Review

For Cause and Comrades

        James M. McPherson wrote this book in order for him to convey his reasoning and methods of explaining to why soldiers constantly signed up for the Civil War. He explains why and how they were able to fight a difficult fight and stay motivated through the long and bloody war. He wondered how were families set against each other in this war or simply why would men that knew one another fight one another. With the sample size of 1076 Soldiers during the Civil War, consisting of both sides, McPherson wants to explain why he thinks these soldiers were as motivated as they were.

        The book starts with a reflection on to why McPherson decided to write this book in the first place. This happened more than once, but the seed for the book was planted by his students that he took to Gettysburg on a trip. During this trip students asked the questions of why and what was the confederates motivation to go on when the odds were not in their favor. McPherson believed that the answer he gave to them was not good enough and after more situations like this he decided to research it for himself. He compared soldiers of the Civil War to the Vietnam soldiers as he talked to John A. Wickham famous general of the time. The ending result of the two discussing was that the general said during his time “you couldn’t get American soldiers today to make an attack like that.” This brought up why did the soldiers of the Civil War go against the fundamental rule of self-preservation. McPherson came to think that soldiers at the time had a duty to fight for honor and become a hero. The war was a chance to make a name for yourself or if things did not go so well then you were able to sacrifice yourself for the of the country. Both sides had men signing up because they believed they were fighting for the right cause and felt threatened by the other opposing side. This is in a way patriotism because this fight determines the survival for the victor’s country. Another reason was that the second Great Awakening just occurred. He thought these men were fighting for their righteous cause and maybe did not even fear death as to because they were “saved.” Also, and of course there was hatred for each other and vengeances were created.