Ballard writes new Civil War book on Mississippi

In the Civil War, Mississippi experienced a protracted and devastating invasion, with Union and Confederate forces fighting fierce battles at Corinth, Holly Springs, Iuka, Port Gibson, Vicksburg, and other locations.

Ballard

With both military buffs and tourists in mind, Mississippi State archivist Michael B. Ballard has written a new book titled "Civil War Mississippi: A Guide." Available in hardback and paperback, the University Press of Mississippi publication is now in bookstores.

"'Civil War Mississippi' is the first comprehensive coverage of the war in this state," UPM promotions manager Steven B. Yates said. "In capturing the destruction, drama and bravery of Mississippi's war, Dr. Ballard examines the major campaigns, emphasizing why engagements occurred, how the battles ended, and how they affected the nationwide struggle.

"Both the novice and expert will relish this tour," he added.

Ballard describes a complex situation, involving sieges, trench warfare, naval bombardments, and brilliant cavalry engagements. He notes that some of the most storied names of the war--Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Nathan Bedford Forrest, and John Pemberton--experienced their most triumphant and harrowing moments on Mississippi battlegrounds.

And speaking of the latter officer, University Press also is releasing a paperback edition of Ballard's much-praised 1991 hardback, "Pemberton: The General Who Lost Vicksburg."

In a review at the time for Civil War News magazine, Vicksburg National Park historian Terry Winschel said the book "fills a significant void" in the historical literature on the controversial Northern-born Confederate commander at Vicksburg."

American History magazine echoed Winschel, calling the book "a sympathetic but honest biography" that provided "the first full account . . . of this unfortunate Confederate leader."

Ballard, coordinator of Mitchell Memorial Library's Congressional Collection, previously has authored two History Book Club selections, "A Long Shadow: Jefferson Davis and the Final Days of the Confederacy" and "Pemberton: A Biography."

An Ackerman resident who joined the library in 1983, he holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in history from MSU.