National Geographic Atlas of the Civil War: A Comprehensive Guide to the Tactics and Terrain of Battle
The atlas is a minor mainstay in Civil War publishing. Some are very good while others are just awful. The latter end up in the bargain bin of various bookstore chains or in the raffle at your local round table. National Geographic has maintained its tradition of excellence with the publication of this atlas. The editors examined nearly 3,000 maps in various holdings such as the National Archives and Virginia Historical Society. From this search, 88 maps, many of them previously unpublished, were selected for this work. This grouping is augmented by 34 new maps produced by National Geographic, along with 320 photos, battlefield sketches and paintings. Each of the five chapters contains timelines illuminating key social, political and military events. The text features detailed accounts of events and places that are numbered and keyed to the accompanying map. Amazingly, at the outbreak of the war very few maps were available for either side. Railroad companies, particularly in the North, had produced maps showing their routes. Also, county maps were often available, particularly north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Union took advantage of these maps. Also, the Union Army inherited the Corps of Topographical Engineers, an existing cadre of mapmakers. The U.S. Coast Survey was another source for skilled cartographers. The South had Jedediah Hotchkiss, whose maps are featured prominently here. As the war got going, two new processes appeared that enabled mass marketing of maps. The lithograph appeared in publications such as Harper’s and Leslie’s. Map colorization also became possible with the chromolithograph process. One very appealing style of cartography used liberally in this book is the so-called “bird’s-eye view” maps. These semi-dioramic images were inspired by trips in hot air balloons. One of this reviewer’s favorites is that of Fredericksburg. Another one of these shows Adm. David Farragut’s positions at Mobile Bay. It was prepared after the Battle of Mobile Bay for the admiral’s review. The campaign and battle maps prepared by the National Geographic staff are very appealing. I am partial to those showing Antietam. This set features a map showing Lee’s retreat from Sharpsburg back to Virginia, something rarely depicted in studies of the Maryland Campaign. The maps of soldier, cartographer and artist Robert K. Sneden are used extensively throughout the book. Two of Sneden’s notable scenes are the sinking of the CSS Alabama in Cherbourg Harbor by the USS Kearsarge and a vivid bird’s-eye view of Andersonville Prison, where Sneden resided later in the war. An appendix features several National Geographic maps showing the major theaters of the war and their battles. This book includes some excellent images, rare photos, common photos, paintings by James Walker and others, and soldier art. These are the types of bells and whistles that add to the charm of these coffee-table productions. This is one of the highest quality books of this genre. It will make a great addition to your home Civil War library or serve as a welcome gift. Reviewer: Ted Alexander Ted Alexander is a historian and author of more than 100 articles for various publications and several books. He is Park Historian at Antietam National Battlefield.
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Illustrated, maps, bibliography, index, 254 pp., 2009, National Geographic Society,