Long overshadowed by the American Civil War, the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) has received significantly less attention from historians partly because of its questionable origin and controversial outcome. Rather than treat the conflict with a form of historical amnesia, the contributors to this volume argue that the Mexican-American War was a formative experience for the more than three hundred future Civil War generals who served in it as lower-grade officers. The Mexican War was the first combat experience for many of them, a laboratory that equipped a generation of young officers with practical lessons in strategy, tactics, logistics, and interpersonal relationships that they would use later to command forces during the Civil War.
Timothy D. Johnson is the Elizabeth Gentry Brown Professor of History at Lipscomb University. His previous books on the Mexican-American War include A Gallant Little Army: The Mexico City Campaign and For Duty and Honor: Tennessee's Mexican War Experience.
"The Mexican-American War Experiences of Twelve Civil War Generals delivers just what its title suggests, profiling some of the most influential (and in some cases, infamous) leaders from the Union and Confederacy. . . . This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of the American Civil War, the Mexican-American War or the U.S. Army of the 19th century. . . . A refreshing bonus is that the writing is readable and modern--the book does not suffer from stilted Victorian prose that infuses too much of Civil War scholarship."--ARMY Magazine "This edited volume features essays from some of the most eminent scholars in the field. . . . It is a welcome addition to the historiography of the Mexican-American War and, given how the authors connect the events from one war to the next, the American Civil War. Recommended"--CHOICE "This impressive collection of essays by a talented team of scholars highlights how the Mexican War experience shaped the Civil War careers of twelve prominent officers including U. S. Grant, George McClellan, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. An insightful and useful resource for all interested in the military and political history of the era."--Joan Waugh, author of U. S. Grant, American Hero, American Myth "Timothy Johnson has put together an all-star lineup of Civil War historians to examine one of the most important influences on Civil War generals, the formative experience of the Mexican War. The resulting book offers valuable insights into the practical experiences that shaped the generals who shaped the Civil War."--Steven E. Woodworth, author of Manifest Destinies: America's Westward Expansion and the Road to the Civil War
