Huts and History: The Historical Archaeology of Military Encampment during the American Civil War

Edited by Clarence R. Geier, David G. Orr, and Matthew B. Reeves
Figures, chapter endnotes, acknowledgements, contributors, index, 279 pp., 2006. University Press of Florida, 15 Northwest 15th St., Gainesville, FL 32611-2079, $65 plus shipping.

Reviewer: Richard J. Blumberg
Richard J. Blumberg has a master's degree with honors in Civil War studies. He is past president of the Houston Civil War Round Table and is a speaker for that group and the Society of Women in the Civil War. He also reviews books for the Blue and Gray Education Society.

Review:
Hollywood wants us to think only of the blood and guts side of soldier life.

However, many months were spent in encampments awaiting new orders or to engage in the next battle. Finally, we have a military history book that is not just a collection of maps, illustrations and studies of tactical movements.

Huts and History: The Historical Archaeology of Military Encampment during the American Civil War is a refreshing work that explores a long neglected part of soldier life, Civil War encampments. The book is well-researched and well-written.

The editors state that the book provides an introduction into the study of how encampments were influenced by the activities of daily soldier life. Using a variety of maps and illustrations, Geier, Orr and Reeves have done a masterful job introducing a subject that is quickly gaining interest/notoriety in our study of the American Civil War.

The book is neatly divided into five parts. Part One presents thematic discussions on encampments; surveys/management of encampment sites; encampment plans and layouts; encampment architecture and material culture; and ends with a summary and discussion of new initiatives.

Part Two considers the diverse strategies available for archaeologists to locate and interpret encampment remains. Part Three describes the manner in which specific encampment features are arrayed. Part Four details the reasons why encampments had many variations.

Part Five summarizes research topics mentioned in the previous parts. The chapters contained in each part describe the triumphs and challenges routinely faced in preserving the few archaeological sites that are still available for research.

Throughout the book, the editors skillfully integrate all facets of military history. Although not specifically mentioned as METT-T (mission, equipment, time, troops and terrain), they describe how mission requirements, time, troops and the terrain inhabited became the primary influencers of how encampments were arrayed.

For example, artillery units required strong road networks into and out of the encampment. Cavalry units needed plenty of forage for the animals. Infantry units needed defensible and maneuverable terrain.

To educate future generations on various topics of soldier life, we must continually seek ways to preserve our nation's past through culture, recovered artifacts and data related to the soldiers' living quarters. Through the collaborative work of National Park Service personnel, trained archeologists and seasoned relic hunters, much new data is now available. These facts promote awareness and inform readers of the importance of how soldiers passed time when not in actual combat.

Noted Civil War historian Robert K. Krick gives the editors a big "thumbs up" for the work, saying that "the professional archaeology described ably in this book stands as the last bulwark against permanent loss of the historical evidence that survives in such threatened sites." The reviewer heartily concurs with this assessment. At $65, this book is probably out of reach for most of the general Civil War reading audience. It is better suited for the serious student of soldier life and soldier activities.

The book contains no formal bibliography. Instead, chapter notes, as previously mentioned, provide a listing of works cited. The references used are fairly evenly split between primary and secondary sources. The editors have clearly done their homework and it shows throughout the book.