A Prussian observes the American Civil War
Subtitle: the military studies of Justus Scheibert
By: translated and edited by Frederic Trautmann.
Contributors: Trautmann, Frederic, 1936-; Scheibert, J. 1831-1903.
Series: Shades of blue and gray series
Publisher: University of Missouri Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Columbia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 250
Subjects: Scheibert, J. 1831-1903.; United States. Army -- Drill and tactics -- History -- 19th century.; Confederate States of America. Army -- Drill and tactics -- History.; Military art and science -- United States -- History -- 19th century.; Military art and science -- Confederate States of America.; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Prussian.
Genres: Personal narratives, Prussian.
Description: "Prussia, like much of nineteenth-century Germany, was governed by the belief that knowledge, and thus understanding, was best derived from direct observation and communicated through documentation. Justus Scheibert, an officer in the Royal Prussian Engineers, was therefore sent to the United States for seven months to observe the Civil War and report the effects of artillery on fortifications.

His interests, however, surpassed that limited assignment, and his observations, as well as the writings translated in this work, went on to include tactics, strategy, logistics, intelligence, combined operation, and the medical service.".

"Scheibert, an expert on warfare, had access to the Confederate high command, including such luminaries as Robert E. Lee, J. E. B. Stuart, and Stonewall Jackson. He brought to the war not only the fresh perspective of a foreigner, but also the insightful eye of a career military officer and a skillful author and correspondent. Although he was personally sympathetic to the South, Scheibert researched both sides of the conflict in order to write unbiased, informed commentary for his fellow Prussian officers.

His firsthand account of many aspects of the Civil War included a theoretical discussion of every branch of service and the Confederate high command, illustrated with his personal observations." "Scheibert's narrative portrays soldiers, weaponry, and battles, including the first, and one of the few, studies of combined operations in the Civil War."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-237) and index.
Originally published in German under titles: Der Bürgerkrieg in den Nordamerikanischen Staaten; and, Das Zusammenwirken der Armee und Marine.
Table of contents: title: pt. 1. The sinews of war; title: pt. 2. The sinews applied.