A More Civil War - (Civil War America) by D H Dilbeck (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

During the Civil War, Americans confronted profound moral problems about how to fight in the conflict. In this innovative book, D. H. Dilbeck reveals how the Union sought to wage a just war against the Confederacy. He shows that northerners fought according to a distinct "moral vision of war," an array of ideas about the nature of a truly just and humane military effort. Dilbeck tells how Union commanders crafted rules of conduct to ensure their soldiers defeated the Confederacy as swiftly as possible while also limiting the total destruction unleashed by the fighting. Dilbeck explores how Union soldiers abided by official just-war policies as they battled guerrillas, occupied cities, retaliated against enemy soldiers, and came into contact with Confederate civilians.

In contrast to recent scholarship focused solely on the Civil War's carnage, Dilbeck details how the Union sought both to deal sternly with Confederates and to adhere to certain constraints. The Union's earnest effort to wage a just war ultimately helped give the Civil War its distinct character, a blend of immense destruction and remarkable restraint.

Review Quotes

"Addresses important issues and provides insight into the difficult and complex questions confronting the North during this great and devastating conflict."--New England Quarterly

"An insightful study of the way that the Union laid claim to fighting a just war in suppressing the rebellion."--The Journal of the Civil War Era

"Concisely analyzes both the legal underpinning of the evolving rules of war and how they were applied in the field."--Civil War Times

"Valuable insight into the war that marks an embrace of modern warfare and abandonment of traditional just war ideals. Highly recommended."--CHOICE

"Well organized and deeply researched, with ample notes and an impressive bibliography. . . . It breaks new ground."--Civil War News

About the Author

D.H. Dilbeck is a historian from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the author of Frederick Douglass: America's Prophet.