I made the mistake of ordering this book through inter-libray loan as I was researching the Red River Campaign for a possible project before I read Steve's review. I can only second his opinion - DONT WASTE TIME AND EFFORT on this book.

The author provides what appears to be some pretty good background information in the first three "chapters" on Vicksburg, Port Hudson and the Texas Coast. HOWEVER, after reading the rest of the book which contains numerous errors any researcher worth anything is going to go elsewhere to verify whatever he gets out of this section.

Once the author finally get to the actual campaign he seems to confuse or combine the battles of the 8th and 9th at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. After discribing the action on the ninth at Mansfield, Persons say on page 14, "Nightfall saw Emory and Taylor facing each other. When morning came the one remaining was Taylor, who was in sole possession, for the Union forces had retreated into Alexandria. The campaign was over, for nothing could be accomplished within the time frame that had been established by Grant."

In the very next paragraph Persons describes the arrival of the "fresh" troops from Arkansas under Churchill and Parsons. Concerning these two divisions he writes, "Taylor, sensing that the retreating army could be further punished, ordered the newly arrived forces to attack. As soon as they moved into position, they advanced to the positions where the Union forces had been last seen. Alas they were gone." My ggggrandfather will be glad to know he was wounded at Pleasant Hill by Union forces that were gone!

Maybe I misunderstood. I dont think so, but even IF I did, this book is so unclear it will only lead to confusion and error.