War of the Rebellion: Serial 129 Introduction

Intro
Blockade Runners Intro

Vol. 3 Introduction - Serial 129

These three volumes cover the Confederate war effort from South Carolina's secession to the final surrender of Confederate forces in the West. Since the CSA was creating a national government the various laws (for a War Department, or to create an Ordnance Bureau) are included. Since the States had more power in the Confederacy than the Union there was more argument back-and-forth, especially with Georgia and North Carolina. Establishing a new country is never easy, even with a blueprint, and with a war forcing constant changes of priorities and a shaky economic base there were continual changes of direction from Richmond, which led to acrimonious exchanges with the States. This only grew worse as Union armies advanced, prompting the States to demand more protection, potentially at the cost of national strategy and certainly at the cost of political good will.

This volume continues the Confederate correspondence from January 1, 1864 to the end of the fighting. It covers the worsening plight of Confederate forces, and the collapse of the economy and supply systems. Desperate expedients and reckless plans were tried, or at least sounded out.

Intro
Blockade Runners Intro