The Government of the Confederate States is pledged by the unanimous vote of its Congress … never to cease this War until Maryland has the opportunity to decide for herself her own fate, untrammeled and free from Federal Bayonets …

So states the lovely recruiting poster seen above (click picture for larger version). It was issued by Maryland Confederate Colonel Bradley Johnson on his arrival in Frederick, Maryland on 8 September 1862.

Today’s Frederick News-Post features the historic document in an article about the Museum Shop, Richard and Vicky Kornemann’s art sale and conservation business in Frederick.

I hope the document’s owner will make it available for public viewing–it looks like a great piece.

Like most Civil War bloggers, I get occasional requests to promote/review books or other works. Most are simply advertising and, unless very closely related to the combat at Sharpsburg in 1862, not usually right for this space.

But I got a nicely written email from Terry Goldman representing the History Channel offering a full press kit and web goodies promoting their upcoming film Sherman’s March (airing 22 April 2007). A teaser video says its a ‘spectacular reenactment’ and ‘psychological profile’ of William T Sherman.

Bill Oberst, Jr as Gen William T Sherman

I don’t know anything else about the show, but I think Terry’s courteous and professional approach to publicity deserves a little airtime here.

As hard as it will be for me, I will be taking the next week or so off. Disconnecting from the internets, even. I hope both of you will forgive the brief neglect.

This month the blog passed it’s first anniversary. Also, the author’s birthday is nigh, and it’s a big one ending in a zero. In celebration of one of those two events we’re off to the Texas Gulf Coast (ain’t never been there, they tell me it’s nice) on our first family vacation in years.

See you back here the week of April 8th! And hey … let’s be careful out there.

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Thanks to Lance and Erin for the pointer to Port A. We’ll let you know!

Birthday photo from the Library of Congress

GoogleBooks has the complete 1865 Army Register online. Compiled by the Adjutant-General, this reference volume lists all staff (by corps) and line (by regiment) officers of the Regular Army along with other ranks/commands to which they were assigned and the date they entered service.

Originally published by the US Government Printing Office (1865), this book was digitized from a copy at the University of Michigan on 10 October 2006. Go Wolverines.

With a quick check, complete volumes for 1848, 1850, 1853, 1864 and 1880 were also found, but other editions–like that for 1910–are blocked as if copyrighted (which of course they couldn’t be).

Poor, confused GoogleBooks.

McClellan and Failure: A Study of Civil War Fear, Incompetence and Worse, Edward Bonekemper’s new book, is introduced in part by the publisher on Amazon, thus:

Promoting his own ideas and career regardless of the consequences, McClellan spent his Civil War command defying his superiors and attempting to avoid battle, eventually becoming a thorn in the side of President Lincoln and the Union cause. Removed from command on November 5, 1862, McClellan’s overly cautious attitude nevertheless permeated the Army of the Potomac for years…

I hope this’ll give us fresh research, new insights, and the definitive answers, but it sure sounds like the same tired dogma. We’ll have to read the book to see.

Thanks to Mike for the pointer.