Generals in Bronze: Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War

by William B. Styple

Generals in Revealing interviews with the commanders of the Civil War. In the decades that followed the American Civil War, Artist James E. Kelly (1855-1933) conducted in-depth interviews with over forty Union Generals in an effort to accurately portray them in their greatest moment of glory. Kelly "I had always felt a great lact of certain personal details. I made up my mind to ask from living officers every question I would have asked Washington or his generals had they posed for me, such What they considered the principal incidents in their career and particulars about costumes and surroundings." During one interview session with Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Kelly asked about the charge at Fort Damnation. Gen. Chamberlain acquiesced, but then added, "I don't see how you can show this in a picture." "Just tell me the facts," Kelly responded, "and I'll attend to the picture." And by recording those stirring facts, Kelly left us not only his wonderful art, but a truly unique picture of the lives of the great figures of the American Civil War.

Genres: Civil War, History, American History

314 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Styple has edited the 1000+ page memoirs of artist/sculptor James Kelly. Kelly was a noted illustrator and sculptor during the later part of the 19th and early part of the 20th Century. He is most known for illustrations of Civil War scenes and several bronze statues of Civil War generals. Kelly created his art from life, with most of his subjects sitting for him. What makes his memoirs valuable is the interviews he conducted during these sittings, most of which he wrote down immediately after. He interviewed most Union generals of note, including Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. Unfortunately, much of the conversation was taken up with what type of hat they wore , the color of their horse, and so forth. Much of the remainder of the conversations revolved around who dislike who, and who was overrated, etc. Unfortunately, anytime anyone spoke poorly of someone Kelly was friends with (Sheridan) Kelly would cut them off and the conversation would turn to another topic. The first half of the book was a slog mainly due to the aforementioned hat questions, however after that it did pick up and I am glad I did not give up on it. [return][return]The sub-title of the book is somewhat misleading in that it includes only Union officers, with the brief exception of Fitzhugh Lee, and there are several interviews with individuals who were either not officers or were not connected with the war, these included photographer Matthew Brady, a number of actors from Ford's Theater, and Theodore Roosevelt. [return][return]The book assumes the reader has more then a passing knowledge of the Civil War. There are many references to the controversies surrounding Warren, Porter, and Sickles. This is not for the Civil War newcomer, but there is some interesting information here. I can only wonder what was left out.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generals in Bronze: Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War - Edited by William B. Styple
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I absolutely loved this book! This work is a compilation of journal entries by James E. Kelly (1855-1933), who was an American artist and sculptor who grew up in the post civil war period in New York City and revered the union generals who won the war and made it his mission to remember them through sculpture and drawings. Kelly would record his interactions in his journal with over 40 generals of the civil war including, Ulysses S Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, Philip Sheridan, Alfred Pleasonton, Oliver Otis Howard, Alexander Webb, Gouverneur K Warren, Fitz John Porter, Joshua Chamberlain and Winfield Scott Hancock to name a few! During sittings, while Kelly would portray his artistic renderings of these men he would ask them personal questions of their actions during the civil war and their opinions of other civil war personalities which makes for fascinating reading. This work is comparable to sitting down with the elders of a previous generation and having them spill the tea on what really happened and the result makes for a uniquely human story that brings these men to life. Not only do we get to meet these civil war generals, we also get to see periods of history collide with none other than Theodore Roosevelt who was also sculpted by Kelly with “the rough rider” statue of TR after his heroics during the Spanish American War. The author, William Styple, has done an excellent job in bringing this historical masterpiece to life for us all and for making sure that these stories and the artistic works of James E Kelly haven’t been forgotten to history.
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[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In May of this year (2019) I had the opportunity to meet the author during a book signing at the Gettysburg Visitor Center. We had a nice conversation the first time I met him and he told me about this book, but said it was no longer in print. My wife found a used copy and I am happy that she did. The edited work provides a fascinating look into the lives and experiences of many Civil War generals and other officers. I found the book to be a nice companion to many other books I've read on the Civil War. Additionally, I enjoyed reading Kelly's interview notes on the individuals who were present the night President Lincoln was assassinated by Booth. I recommend this book and especially to those who are students of the Civil War.

[Lisa Delehanty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I would like this book. I met the author and he talked me into it.
This bookis fabulous! It follows an artist who draws profiles of civil war generals and a few others. This artist recorded on paper the conversations that took place during these sessions.

Truly interesting points of view from these men. There are even some contradictions to information accepted as fact.
This book held my interest through even page.

Well written! This artist has bronze statues at Gettysburg and other sites !
Every history nerd needs to read this book!!!

[Sophie Cimon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it out hard to follow. This book needs its readers to be well versed in the Civil War. I got quite easily confused by all the names. The “interviews” themselves are more often than not quite boring as the sculptor is asking the generals what they were wearing. (True to make the best sculpture possible) I was expecting first hand account of the war but it’s wasn’t quite like that. I think it’s great those writing are preserved but to me, it was a tedious and sometimes boring read.

[Eric Burroughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting interviews that show what generals thought of each other and themselves. Sherman was gruff, Hancock was pompous, Porter was tragic. Butterfield was a fireman in Utica New York and set fire to a church so he could put it out first and then it burned down. A lot of interesting facts.

[Phillip T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC FIND!

I was totally blown away by the rare intimacy of all the famous generals that he "interviewed" (more like chatting over the backyard fence with a neighbor)! Absolutely gold. There is also an interview on C-Span with the author that is a real treat.

Add this to your list of Civil War gems.

[Urey Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

by William B. Styple. Fascinating contemporary interviews of Civil War generals.