Stonewall of the West: Patrick Cleburne and the Civil War

Modern War Studies

by Craig L. Symonds

To Jefferson Davis, he was the "Stonewall of the West"; to Robert E. Lee, he was "a meteor shining from a clouded sky"; and to Braxton Bragg, he was an officer "ever alive to a success." He was Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, one of the greatest of all Confederate field commanders.

An Irishman by birth, Cleburne emigrated to the United States in 1849 at the age of 21. He achieved only modest success in the peacetime South, but rose rapidly in the wartime army to become the Confederacy's finest division commander. He was admired by peers and subordinates alike for his leadership, loyalty, honesty, and fearlessness in the face of enemy fire. The valor of his command was so inspirational that his unit alone was allowed to carry its own distinctive battle flag.

In Stonewall of the West , Craig Symonds offers the first full-scale critical biography of this compelling figure. He explores all the sources of Cleburne's commitment to the Southern cause, his growth as a combat leader from Shiloh to Chickamauga, and his emergence as one of the Confederacy's most effective field commanders at Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap, and Pickett's Mill. In addition, Symonds unravels the "mystery" of Spring Hill and recounts Cleburne's dramatic and untimely death (at the age of 36) at Franklin, Tennessee, where he charged the enemy line on foot after having two horses shot from under him.

Symonds also explores Cleburne's role in the complicated personal politics of the Army of Tennessee, as well as his astonishing proposal that the decimated Confederate ranks be filled by ending slavery and arming blacks against the Union.

Symonds' definitive and immensely readable narrative casts new light on Cleburne, on the Army of Tennessee, and on the Civil War in the West. It finally and firmly establishes Cleburne's rightful place in the pantheon of Southern military heroes.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Civil War Western Theater

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Craig Lee Symonds is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at the United States Naval Academy. He earned both his MA (1969) and Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Florida.

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had Patrick Cleburne fought in the Army of Northern Virginia instead of the Army of Tennessee, we surely would be overwhelmed with biographies of his greatness as a general. Because he was a general officer in the Army of Tennessee - the army most Southern writers have traditionally ignored and treated as the red headed step child of the Confederacy, there are far fewer books on him than his accomplishments would seem to warrant. Fortunately, Mr. Symonds has written an excellent biography of the general which puts his impressive accomplishments into perspective and begins to give this extraordinary fighting general his due.

The main focus of Symonds' work is on Cleburne the general, but he gives enough background of his youth in Ireland and his migration to and adoption of America as his new home to sketch what shaped his character and what motivated him to fight in the Southern cause. Cleburne emerges as an immigrant eager to assimilate and make the customs and mores of his new home his own; a man grateful for the opportunities and acceptance he received in Arkansas, and genuinely, if uncritically, committed to fighting for the cause of his adopted home.

Symonds also addresses Cleburne's role within the morass of intrigue that plagued the command structure of the Army of Tennessee. He shows Cleburne to have been one of the anti Bragg cartel, not as a primary mover, but because of his loyalty to his friend and mentor General Hardee (a principle Bragg opponent), and perhaps even more so because of his habit of candor that showed little regard for political expediency. This was damaging to his career, and perhaps among the principle reasons why he was never promoted above division commander, despite the fact that he was the brightest shining star in the army. He likewise touches on Cleburne's remarkable plan to enlist slaves in the Confederate army - offering freedom to any man and his family who would fight for the South. While Cleburne's reasoning showed clarity and logic, his judgment in presenting the plan to his fellow Southern officers showed amazing naiveté and foolhardiness, and further damaged his hopes for promotion.

But the reason there is a biography of Cleburne is the battles. Symonds traces them from his first minor engagements, through Shiloh, his first major battle, all the way to the final tragic, futile charge at Franklin. He shows how Cleburne's skills as a general developed; from simply a brave and bold leader without any great military skill at Shiloh, to an outstanding commander of men who creatively defended against overwhelming odds at Chattanooga, and became the armies designated rearguard, repeatedly saving it from destruction..

Symonds biography of Cleburne is well written and engaging. It makes a good beginning in putting General Patrick Cleburne back into his rightful place in the pantheon of Southern heroes. If you are a serious student of the Civil War, you should not consider your library complete without a copy. I highly recommend it.

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of if not the best Civil War biographies I have ever read. Symonds is a lively writer, and best of all honest. Cleburne's bad points are mentioned and his evolution as a man and general is commented upon. If I could rate this book six stars I would.

[Don Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

IF THE WORD DUTY WAS EVER PERSONIFIED, Major General Patrick Cleburne was the carrying vessel. If you admire individuals who not only carry deep convictions, but are also willing to exemplify them in action, while also accepting the repercussions both good and bad, then this is your man. An intriguing read that tells the story of an Irish Immigrant who struggled in sheer determination to make his way in life. The book gives a solid account of Cleburne's formative years while growing up in Ireland. He journeys to America in the decade before The American Civil War, settles in frontier Arkansas, and works his way to modest success as a businessman and self taught lawyer. A very shy and unassuming figure with a quiet yet determined inner drive he joins the Confederacy purely out of an adoration and loyalty for a society that accepted him and simply gave him a chance. Cleburne rises through the military ranks as a non West Point Graduate to become a gallant Major General whose men adored him. This is a true story of what hard work and determination can accomplish.
Cleburne's correct yet controversial "Memorial" which was designed to arm the southern slaves for Confederate military service in exchange for their freedom was most thoughtfully and brilliantly crafted. It was met with great controversy and virtually scuttled any chance of his further promotion in the ranks. Before the tragic and fatal charge at the bloody Battle of Franklin Tennessee he seemed to know that it would be his last. Despite seeing the futility of a successful assault, he accepted the duty, stating to General John Bell Hood, "I will take the enemy's works or fall in the attempt." His closest aide stated, "Well General there will not be many of us that get back to Arkansas." Cleburne's response: "Well Govan, if we are to die, then let us die like men."
If you like biographical accounts of historical figures, this is a must read. I was thoroughly touched as well as inspired by this mans humble character yet heroic story.

[John Maag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me an equivalent book on every notable general in the war and I'd be happy. Just the right depth and breadth of exploration in this. It went down deep enough in level into the campaigns and battles to convey a good level of understanding.

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any student of the war this would be a worthwhile read, but for anyone with a particular interest in the Army of Tennessee it is an indispensable read.

[Stephen Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written and concise account of a Confederate commander previously unknown to me. Excellent profile of a general who deserves more attention in Civil War circles.

[Schoppie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine biography of the Confederacy's best division commander in the West. Symonds covers his life in Ireland, service in the British Army, emigration to the U.S., life in Helena, Arkansas, and service in the Confederate Army. Among the most interesting aspects of Cleburne's life, and one which Symonds covers in great detail, was Cleburne's ambivalence about the institution of slavery and his proposal to arm and recruit slaves into the Confederate Army in exchange for their freedom. This proposal was quickly silenced and covered up by the Confederate high command, but it is noteworthy that the plan was the brainchild of an Irish immigrant who held no slaves. For all his love of the South and the Confederacy, Cleburne seems not to have understood - at least on some level - the centrality of slavery to white Southern society and the war in which he fought, because he honestly seems to have believed that his plan would be accepted as a logical solution to the Confederate Army's manpower shortage. Cleburne believed Confederate independence was the most important goal of the war, and he therefore believed Southerners would be willing to arm and free slaves if it furthered the goal of Southern independence. As Symonds amply demonstrates, in many ways Cleburne was an an exceptional man who stood out among western Confederate generals, and among Confederate leaders in general.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read on a general that a lot of people probably don't know much about.

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt utterly heartbroken on the conclusion of this book, for his fiancee.

This book is EXCELLENT. Should be in every Civil War history library.

[Clint Fuchs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great biography of one of the best generals in The Army of Tennessee. Would have been interesting to see how he could have done in a Corps command. Certainly no worse than Polk

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Cleburne is a figure who has acquired a mythological status in the lore of Confederate history. To be sure, he was not your average Confederate general in many ways, but in this biography Symonds also breaks the rose-tinted glass of nostalgia and gives us a true picture of the man.

While without a doubt, Cleburne was one of the best divisional commanders in the Confederate Army, he wasn't perfect. While enumerating his many admirable traits and accomplishments, the author also recounts Cleburnes missteps, mistakes, and occasional naivete. We're left with fascinating picture of an ambitious, capable, honor-bound man, who was also at times a naive romantic and out of step with the society he loved and in which he longed to belong and succeed,

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, a book that tells about an fascinating life that brings out the emotions of the reader. I was quickly engrossed in Cleburne's life by the author.
I was truly sad to read about the events that led to the useless death of Cleburne and so many others at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee. John Bell Hood's greatest failure other than Atlanta that cost him the best of his command and officers. Cleburne knew that he would be charging to his death and he went anyway because that was the order. He tried to change Hood's mind and offered different strategy, but when that failed he carried out his orders to the best of his ability.
A truly great book about the Civil War Theater in the West!

[David Elkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding work. I found the book a fun read, and the author shows the General with all the pluses and minuses that all humans have.

Brilliant treatment of the personalities that affected his life, and the author doesn't spare Bragg, Longstreet or Hood. Cleburne's attempt to "arm the slaves" late in the war is very well done.

The summation of the Atlanta History is accurate "Symonds has produced what may be truly be the lasting biography of the so-called Stonewall of the West

[Matthew Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic biography of an overlooked hero of the Confederacy, unfortunately Cleburne would fight under pathetic leadership in the Army of Tennessee under Bragg and Hood so his exploits were forgotten for many. This book does a fantastic job of painting the life of Cleburne and keeps the reader enthralled throughout, only reason I give four stars is it can become repetitive at times.

[Kosar7480 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography. Well written and engaging. Enjoyed the chapters that filled in Cleburne’s background. Symmonds took a fair approach, highlighting his strengths and growth as a commanded, while also acknowledging his mistakes earlier in the war. Also covered his proposal to arm the slaves and the condemnation that resulted from it.

[Straw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing about Cleburne's pre-war life much more than the battlefield writings. The interpretation of the war years was lacking.

[Erin Henry]

Read this on Hugh's recommendation. If you like detailed accounts of battles it would be a good book.

[Matthew Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Symonds does a very good job of bringing one of the south's forgotten heroes to life. Very interesting and engrossing, but it takes a real Civil War buff. Not light reading

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read on his life