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A Long Shadow: Jefferson Davis and the Final Days of the Confederacy
A Long Shadow is a fascinating narrative account of the fall of the Confederacy told from the perspective of Jefferson Davis, his official entourage, and his family as they tried to hold the government together while staying one step ahead of their Union Army pursuers.
The "martyred" Davis is one of the most enduring symbols of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy. Michael B. Ballard maintains that this image began to take form during the last days of Davis's presidency as the doomed leader rose nobly to adversity, handling sensitive political and military issues and devastating setbacks with dignity and faith. It was Davis's willingness to sacrifice everything, combined with his postwar imprisonment, Ballard contends, that cemented his status in the hearts and minds of southerners.
The "martyred" Davis is one of the most enduring symbols of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy. Michael B. Ballard maintains that this image began to take form during the last days of Davis's presidency as the doomed leader rose nobly to adversity, handling sensitive political and military issues and devastating setbacks with dignity and faith. It was Davis's willingness to sacrifice everything, combined with his postwar imprisonment, Ballard contends, that cemented his status in the hearts and minds of southerners.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1986
19 people want to read
About the author
Michael B. Ballard
24 booksMichael B. Ballard is university archivist and coordinator of the Congressional and Political Research Center at Mississippi State University.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2018
It was a pretty dry read. I think the book was just too short to do the man justice?
February 11, 2016
This book covers the flight of Confederate President Jefferson Davis after the fall of Richmond until he was captured and put in prison. The focus is on the man himself and only touches briefly on the military situation with Generals Lee and Johnston, so if you are unclear on the military side of the war's final weeks you'll want to read up on that first.
The main thesis of this book is that Davis, through his insistence on trying to get away and continue the war from South Carolina, or the Trans-Mississippi, or Mexico, or pretty much anywhere, helped found the idea of the Lost Cause. His stubborn resistance inspired Southerners with the idea of the undying South that would some day rise again.
Ballard makes a good case, but he is hampered by the relatively short length of the book, much of which is given over to day-to-day details of the long flight away from his Union pursuers. I finished this book in only three sittings and closed it thinking it could have been much longer and more detailed. Perhaps it wouldn't have been as marketable, but it would have been a better work of history. Still, it's a good blow-by-blow account of the last day of the Confederate government.
One major complaint: Ballard keeps referring to slaves as "servants". There is a world of difference between the two. Just because 19th century sources didn't always make a distinction, doesn't mean that 20th century historians shouldn't.
The main thesis of this book is that Davis, through his insistence on trying to get away and continue the war from South Carolina, or the Trans-Mississippi, or Mexico, or pretty much anywhere, helped found the idea of the Lost Cause. His stubborn resistance inspired Southerners with the idea of the undying South that would some day rise again.
Ballard makes a good case, but he is hampered by the relatively short length of the book, much of which is given over to day-to-day details of the long flight away from his Union pursuers. I finished this book in only three sittings and closed it thinking it could have been much longer and more detailed. Perhaps it wouldn't have been as marketable, but it would have been a better work of history. Still, it's a good blow-by-blow account of the last day of the Confederate government.
One major complaint: Ballard keeps referring to slaves as "servants". There is a world of difference between the two. Just because 19th century sources didn't always make a distinction, doesn't mean that 20th century historians shouldn't.
September 27, 2012
A very thorough, quite honestly dull, account of the flight of the Confederate Government from the Fall of Richmond to the capture of Jefferson Davis.
This was going to be only 2 Stars, but the final 20 pages, and the first chapter really saved it. Chapters 2-6 were a depressing drag, mostly because it is hard not to feel bad for the hardships of a defeated government on the run. But, the detail was too much, too many cabinet members are arriving and leaving all the time that it is difficult to keep track of the ones you don't already know well. Not a thrilling read.
However, the first chapter, which summarized the activities of Jeff Davis in 1865, before the defeat at Petersburg, and the final chaper, where the author very clearly and accurately presents some of the key ideological, emotional and spiritual experiences of the South People which grew into the Lost Cause is brilliant.
Not sure it is worth a read, but despite the author's proneness to detail, it is not a terrifically exciting story. I appreciated his analysis and would just look for a more exciting topic next time.
This was going to be only 2 Stars, but the final 20 pages, and the first chapter really saved it. Chapters 2-6 were a depressing drag, mostly because it is hard not to feel bad for the hardships of a defeated government on the run. But, the detail was too much, too many cabinet members are arriving and leaving all the time that it is difficult to keep track of the ones you don't already know well. Not a thrilling read.
However, the first chapter, which summarized the activities of Jeff Davis in 1865, before the defeat at Petersburg, and the final chaper, where the author very clearly and accurately presents some of the key ideological, emotional and spiritual experiences of the South People which grew into the Lost Cause is brilliant.
Not sure it is worth a read, but despite the author's proneness to detail, it is not a terrifically exciting story. I appreciated his analysis and would just look for a more exciting topic next time.
October 15, 2014
A decent read if you're interested in the subject and not looking for anything exciting. Was informative but fairly dull. Quick read though for an introduction to the subject.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews