What are you currently reading ?

[kipt]

Finished "The
Cavalries at stones River: An Analytical History" by Dennis W. Belcher.  Good book describing the 8 different cavalry actions before, during and after the battle at stones River.

The author tells how the two cavalries fought differently, how the Confederate cavalry had an initial advantage due to organization, how Rosecrans and Stanley brought the various regiments together and put competent commanders in charge and how they successfully stymied the Rebels.

The rebels had great success in raiding the Union supply trains but when Confederate General Wheeler was off behind the Union lines during the battle it was probably a mistake.  Rebel General Wharton did a great job on the Confederate left flank during the Union rout there, but if Wheeler's troops had been available, the outcome of the battle could have been different.

[fsn]

Received today from Caliver Books

[pierre the shy]

great timing fsn...I'm running a FK&P Newburn scenario tomorrow night 

Can you please share your thoughts on the book...I was aware of it but have not yet ordered it, so I would be very greatful of your opinions on the book and how detailed it is on the battle.

Thanks
Peter

[kipt]

Finished "Shiloh And The Western Campaign Of 1862" by O. Edward Cunningham, editors Gary D. Joiner and Timothy B. Smith.  The book was originally a thesis by Dr Cunningham who passed away in 1997.  "Two generations of National Park service historians have relied heavily on the park's faded, worn, and exhaustively studied copy of Edward Cunningham;s provocative Shiloh dissertation".

The editors decided it would be good to get it into print (2007) as it is a good read and full of detail. A very good book on the battle.

[fsn]

great timing fsn...I'm running a FK&P Newburn scenario tomorrow night 

Can you please share your thoughts on the book...I was aware of it but have not yet ordered it, so I would be very greatful of your opinions on the book and how detailed it is on the battle.

Thanks
Peter

I haven't read all the way through but it's 90 pages; 47 of background/introduction; 11 on the battle and the 11 on Newcastle from 1640-1650. The remaining pages are appendices on The Art of War, Siege Warfare and The Scots Army. There are 12 pages of illustrations in full colour.

The book is written by a local historian, and I think it would better have been called "Newcastle at are 1640-1650 and The Battle of Newburn 1640" rather than the other way round. 

I've not come across any OOBs bar a single contemporary plate listing Scottish regiments quartered around Newcastle - though this is dated 1644. 

Skimming through the introduction, it's focused on Newcastle, interspersed with the story of the degenerating relationship between Scotland and the King.

I've read quite a bit about Newburn, and there not a lot added to my knowledge by this volume. It is more in the way of a Newcastle story. Interesting enough.

If I had taken it out of the library, I wouldn't have felt the need to purchase subsequently, but it's a handy little volume for what was a rather unimpressive skirmish. 

[Radar]

I haven't read all the way through but it's 90 pages; 47 of background/introduction; 11 on the battle and the 11 on Newcastle from 1640-1650. The remaining pages are appendices on The Art of War, Siege Warfare and The Scots Army. There are 12 pages of illustrations in full colour.

The book is written by a local historian, and I think it would better have been called "Newcastle at are 1640-1650 and The Battle of Newburn 1640" rather than the other way round. 

I've not come across any OOBs bar a single contemporary plate listing Scottish regiments quartered around Newcastle - though this is dated 1644. 

Skimming through the introduction, it's focused on Newcastle, interspersed with the story of the degenerating relationship between Scotland and the King.

I've read quite a bit about Newburn, and there not a lot added to my knowledge by this volume. It is more in the way of a Newcastle story. Interesting enough.

If I had taken it out of the library, I wouldn't have felt the need to purchase subsequently, but it's a handy little volume for what was a rather unimpressive skirmish. 

I too thank you for your précis. Saved me £17. Alas you aren't on commission.


I've come across far too many Civil War volumes that have titles that promise more than the contents deliver.

[pierre the shy]

Thanks for the quick response fsn, much appreciated.

Sounds like its a more general local coverage of Newcastle history during the ECW.

Furgol lists the Scots units during the Second Bishop's War so I'm basing my Scots OOB on them, though the first units to cross are identified in various other sources. My English OOB is largely circumstanial, though based on units shown as being present at the great muster at York shortly after the battle as well as from units identified as being present.

The biggest challenge is to get some balance, with upwards of 20,000 Scots with a heavy artillery train vs 4 - 5000 defenders, many of who don't really want to be there.

[fsn]

Sounds like its a more general local coverage of Newcastle history during the ECW.

It was written by a local historian, and reads like it was written by a local historian, not a wargamer.

The biggest challenge is to get some balance, with upwards of 20,000 Scots with a heavy artillery train vs 4 - 5000 defenders, many of who don't really want to be there.

As someone from North of the Border, it Sounds good to me.

[fsn]

Moving on ... now reading David Fletcher's volume on British Armour between the wars. I suspect I'm really, really going to want a Carden Loyd Carrier by the end of it.

So far, a tale of uncertainty about the technology of the future, financial constraints, and WS Churchill expressing an opinion.

 
I have learned that the Type D was lower at the front than the back, so it was recommended that it backed over obstacles.