Review by Twylla -- “I Am a Soldier, First and Always
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Twylla
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Review by Twylla -- “I Am a Soldier, First and Always
[Following is a volunteer review of "“I Am a Soldier, First and Always”: The Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock" by James Harold Kelly.]
"I Am a Soldier, First and Always": The Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock by James Harold Kelly is a historical fiction military story featuring the life and career of Winfield Scott Hancock. This first volume of the book is divided into two parts: “The Soldier,” which covers Hancock’s education and first years of service, and “Rebellion,” which covers his leadership during the Civil War. Hancock graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1844 and went on to fight in the Mexican-American War. His father, Benjamin, had hoped Winfield would pursue a career in law, but after fighting in Mexico, Hancock knew his “calling” was soldiering. Benjamin could see that being a soldier suited Winfield, and he was very supportive of his son’s desire for a military career. Hancock’s preference for a career branch at West Point had been Infantry, and his initial assignment was to the Sixth Infantry Regiment. During his years as a Quartermaster, his desire was always to rejoin his infantry regiment. In 1861, Hancock was promoted from Captain to a Brigadier General. During the Civil War, he organized, trained, and led regiments of volunteers into combat.
Winfield Hancock was the epitome of leadership. Technical aspects of leadership can be taught. Hancock’s time as Quartermaster prepared him well for leadership. Moving tens of thousands of men, tens of thousands of animals, support wagons, equipment, and artillery caissons from one location to another was routinely accomplished by the Quartermaster. Doing the right things in the right sequence at the right time is critical as a leader. That can be learned. But to perform effectively on the battlefield, under fire, requires a special quality which cannot be taught.
The most eloquent sentence in the whole book for me was “No one imagined the carnage the North and South would impose on one another for years to come.” The loss and the consequences of the Civil War were heartbreaking. My favorite part of the story was when Hancock and Almira hosted a final party with their Southern colleagues who had resigned from the U.S. Army to serve the Confederacy. They sang songs, they cried together, and they vowed to be friends always. These friends eventually faced each other on the battlefield.
The battlefield strategies were a large part of the book. The only thing I didn't like was there were not enough maps. A visual guide would help clarify battlefield strategies.
The way the officers communicated to each other on the battlefield was interesting. A staff member would write down what General Hancock said, put it in his pouch, and ride to the location of the officer who was to receive the message.
I am giving this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It is well written and professionally edited. I didn’t find any errors. I would recommend this book to military history buffs, especially those interested in battlefield strategies.
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“I Am a Soldier, First and Always”: The Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"I Am a Soldier, First and Always": The Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock by James Harold Kelly is a historical fiction military story featuring the life and career of Winfield Scott Hancock. This first volume of the book is divided into two parts: “The Soldier,” which covers Hancock’s education and first years of service, and “Rebellion,” which covers his leadership during the Civil War. Hancock graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1844 and went on to fight in the Mexican-American War. His father, Benjamin, had hoped Winfield would pursue a career in law, but after fighting in Mexico, Hancock knew his “calling” was soldiering. Benjamin could see that being a soldier suited Winfield, and he was very supportive of his son’s desire for a military career. Hancock’s preference for a career branch at West Point had been Infantry, and his initial assignment was to the Sixth Infantry Regiment. During his years as a Quartermaster, his desire was always to rejoin his infantry regiment. In 1861, Hancock was promoted from Captain to a Brigadier General. During the Civil War, he organized, trained, and led regiments of volunteers into combat.
Winfield Hancock was the epitome of leadership. Technical aspects of leadership can be taught. Hancock’s time as Quartermaster prepared him well for leadership. Moving tens of thousands of men, tens of thousands of animals, support wagons, equipment, and artillery caissons from one location to another was routinely accomplished by the Quartermaster. Doing the right things in the right sequence at the right time is critical as a leader. That can be learned. But to perform effectively on the battlefield, under fire, requires a special quality which cannot be taught.
The most eloquent sentence in the whole book for me was “No one imagined the carnage the North and South would impose on one another for years to come.” The loss and the consequences of the Civil War were heartbreaking. My favorite part of the story was when Hancock and Almira hosted a final party with their Southern colleagues who had resigned from the U.S. Army to serve the Confederacy. They sang songs, they cried together, and they vowed to be friends always. These friends eventually faced each other on the battlefield.
The battlefield strategies were a large part of the book. The only thing I didn't like was there were not enough maps. A visual guide would help clarify battlefield strategies.
The way the officers communicated to each other on the battlefield was interesting. A staff member would write down what General Hancock said, put it in his pouch, and ride to the location of the officer who was to receive the message.
I am giving this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It is well written and professionally edited. I didn’t find any errors. I would recommend this book to military history buffs, especially those interested in battlefield strategies.
******
“I Am a Soldier, First and Always”: The Distinguished Career of Winfield Scott Hancock
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Contagion Domination by William Nisol
