14 Responses to Question of the Week: What’s your favorite Civil War map?
Any of those classic part battle, part map, illustrations that were part of the American Heritage’s Civil War publication that I think came out in connection with the Centennial. Perfect for all ages but especially for the young readers, sparking interest in the history. The fact that they immediately came to my mind is evidence of their impact.
The composite battle maps published in The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton with detailed, full-color 3-D style pictorial maps created by artist David Greenspan This classic book, and especially the maps by David Greenspan maps, inspired me as a child.
In the Chancellorsville Visitors Center, they have the map that Stonewall Jackson used to sketch out his flank movement when meeting with Lee the night before.
In terms of different ways to experience history, artifacts don’t tend to be the thing I get most excited about. But getting to see that map, which is remarkably simple, really helped put me into the moment.
It’s easy to mythologize all Civil War generals, but especially figures like Lee and Jackson — but they were also two guys, sitting around a fire, hatching a plan that was the battlefield equivalent of drawing up a football play in the dirt.
(And a more biased answer — Edward Alexander’s maps in Desert Empire!)
ECW co-founder once accused me of having a map fetish because I love maps so much. That’s why I love to see so many great maps packed into our ECW books. (Yes, I’m biased.)
Historically, Jed Hotchkiss’s map of the Valley is an incredible work. I like Pat’s call-out, above, of Jackson’s flank attack map. Sidney King’s battle map of Spotsy remains a personal favorite; as dated and out-of-scale it is, it’s still a neat relic in and of itself.
The online publication “Confederate Railroads” by David L. Bright. As we all know, railroads and navigable streams were extremely important to how the Civil War was fought; knowing where junctions, bridges and maintenance depots were located helps in understanding why troops were moved, and why battles took place at such “insignificant places” as Union City Tennessee, Jackson Mississippi and Corinth Mississippi: https://www.csa-railroads.com/
As an opposing question, the battle with the WORST maps? The Battle of Shiloh.
I’d have to say the map that was included with a 1961 issue of National Geographic with the first of its articles about the civil war it had for the next four years. The map unfolded to show the significant battle sites, and the major strategic manoeuvres from Fort Sumter to Palmito Ranch, with dates and notes. Relatively elementary I suppose, but hugely informative for so many people at the time, including me. I was a child and it sparked my interest in the conflict that has continued to this day.
A lot of great options listed. I’ll go with John Hennessy’s excellent map set for Second Bull Run (accompanied by his map study book). The RNBP maps (such as Glendale) are similar and equally well done.
What’s your favorite modern Civil War map, and why?
Any of those classic part battle, part map, illustrations that were part of the American Heritage’s Civil War publication that I think came out in connection with the Centennial. Perfect for all ages but especially for the young readers, sparking interest in the history. The fact that they immediately came to my mind is evidence of their impact.
The composite battle maps published in The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton with detailed, full-color 3-D style pictorial maps created by artist David Greenspan This classic book, and especially the maps by David Greenspan maps, inspired me as a child.
Any map from the American Battlefield Trust — accurate, easy to read, and good use of color.
I too was inspired by the maps by David Greenspan in my copy of American Heritage Civil War.
Hal Jespersen’s online maps or Gottfried’s Battlefield atlas series on the Maryland and Gettysburg campaigns.
Philip Laino’s map compilation of Gettysburg and the Elliott burial map of Antietam.
I’ll give a shoutout for Edward Alexander, my modern day equivalent to Jedediah Hotchkiss.
In the Chancellorsville Visitors Center, they have the map that Stonewall Jackson used to sketch out his flank movement when meeting with Lee the night before.
In terms of different ways to experience history, artifacts don’t tend to be the thing I get most excited about. But getting to see that map, which is remarkably simple, really helped put me into the moment.
It’s easy to mythologize all Civil War generals, but especially figures like Lee and Jackson — but they were also two guys, sitting around a fire, hatching a plan that was the battlefield equivalent of drawing up a football play in the dirt.
(And a more biased answer — Edward Alexander’s maps in Desert Empire!)
ECW co-founder once accused me of having a map fetish because I love maps so much. That’s why I love to see so many great maps packed into our ECW books. (Yes, I’m biased.)
Historically, Jed Hotchkiss’s map of the Valley is an incredible work. I like Pat’s call-out, above, of Jackson’s flank attack map. Sidney King’s battle map of Spotsy remains a personal favorite; as dated and out-of-scale it is, it’s still a neat relic in and of itself.
The online publication “Confederate Railroads” by David L. Bright. As we all know, railroads and navigable streams were extremely important to how the Civil War was fought; knowing where junctions, bridges and maintenance depots were located helps in understanding why troops were moved, and why battles took place at such “insignificant places” as Union City Tennessee, Jackson Mississippi and Corinth Mississippi: https://www.csa-railroads.com/
As an opposing question, the battle with the WORST maps? The Battle of Shiloh.
I’d have to say the map that was included with a 1961 issue of National Geographic with the first of its articles about the civil war it had for the next four years. The map unfolded to show the significant battle sites, and the major strategic manoeuvres from Fort Sumter to Palmito Ranch, with dates and notes. Relatively elementary I suppose, but hugely informative for so many people at the time, including me. I was a child and it sparked my interest in the conflict that has continued to this day.
Any map by Bradley Gottfried.
Cannot go wrong with the West Point Battlefield Atlas.
A lot of great options listed. I’ll go with John Hennessy’s excellent map set for Second Bull Run (accompanied by his map study book). The RNBP maps (such as Glendale) are similar and equally well done.