In Deadly Earnest: The History of the First Missouri Brigade, Csa

In this first comprehensive history of Cockrell's Missouri Brigade written in more than a century, Phil Gottschalk vividly documents its combat record second to none among any brigade North or South. At least 40,000 Missourians fought in the armies of the Confederate States of America and nearly two of every three of the 6,000 who fought east of the Mississippi River died in battle or from wounds or disease. Their 40 month of hard service included 13 major battles and 6 sieges in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. The 540 pages of carefully researched history, fully footnoted and indexed, include 15 maps and 30 photographs. The hopes, fears, emotions of the Missourians, as well as those who fought at their side or against them is movingly revealed in their words from many diaries, letters, manuscripts, memoirs and official records. Testimony of 52 Federal soldiers, 64 Confederates from other states and 35 members of the Missouri Brigade provide a balanced and fair account.