Zack C. WatersA Small but Spartan Band: The Florida Brigade in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia

The answer is yes. They did fight, for both sides. This excellent book by Zack C. Waters and James C. Edmonds will help answer that question, at least for the Florida infantry regiments that served in the Army of Northern Virginia from 1861 till 1865. The number of regiments would eventually total six, and these "Flowers" (Floridas state nickname at the time of the Civil War was "Land of Flowers") would march, fight, and die in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania before the pitiful remnants of the Florida Brigade would stack their arms and furl their colors at Appomattox Courthouse in April, 1865.The book begins with the formation of the Second Florida Infantry, nicknamed by the Regiments members the state's "representative regiment", and its transfer to Virginia as the first state unit dispatched to the Old Dominion. Interestingly, the unit arrived at Richmond on 21 July, 1861. The day the Battle of First Manassas unfolded along the banks of Bull Run! Part of their duties included gaurding Union prisoners from the battle. It is the little facts like this, throughout the book, that made it such interesting reading for myself (a native Floridian and Civil War buff) because I know from looking for titles on Florida troops in the Civil War, and through online research, that there has never been anything like this book! I am truly amazed due to the lack of resources available, that such a scholarly, thoroughly researched, and well written account could even be pieced together. This book is definately something new and original that adds to the available literature on the American Civil War. Instead of grinding out another book on the Battle of Gettysburg, or Vicksburg, the authors have added something to our understanding of this conflict.From there we follow the Second Florida as it is stationed at Yorktown on the peninsula where it recieves its baptism of fire the next year in a skirmish on May 3, 1862 that helped kick off Union Major General George B. Mclellan's failed Peninsula Campaign to capture the Confederate capitol at Richmond, Virginia. The Second Florida distinguished itself with hard fighting and heroism at the Battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines (where they captured a Union battery, 50 prisoners, and a stand of colors. But they lost their own colors! Not too the enemy, but on the battlefield! Luckily, they got it back!), Gaines's Mill, and Glendale. The casualties suffered by the regiment were so severe it was held in reserve at Malvern Hill. Probably the luckiest break the Floridians got during the entire campaign. After the Peninsula Campaign, the Second Florida was joined by the Fifth and Eighth Florida Infantry Regiments.And the story of the Florida troops in the Army of Northern Virginia continues untill the bloody end. The book has 21 illustrations and photos including eight maps of the Brigades battles (though I wish it had more. Especially a map of the Eighth Florida's positions in the city of Fredricksburg, Virginia December 11, 1862 when it was attached to Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade to help slow down the Union efforts to bridge the Rappahannock River.) that helped me understand some of the units greatest combat accomplishments (needs a map of Seven Pines though!) and battlefield tragedies (Pickett's Charge, July 3, 1863. Thats right, they were part of "the" charge at Gettysburg, and involved in quite a controversy after being falsely accused of cowardice for their actions on July 2).The Notes section of the book had a lot of extra information I found interesting instead of just listing the sources like so many books do. And the Bibliograpy is outstanding. I think you have to be a Floridian with an interest in the American Civil War to appreciate fully just how hard it must have been for the authors to locate all these sources on Lee's Florida troops. Personal letters from brigade members, newspapers, service records, funeral notices, diaries, etc. from all over the country! And all the information is put together in an easy to read and follow style that I found very refreshing and informative.I cant recommend this book enough for anyone who would like to learn more about the Florida units that were part of the Army of Northern Virginia. To say it was interesting reading is an understatement. (Even one of the conspirators hanged for the Lincoln assasination was a former member of the Second Florida Infanty Regiment!) A wonderful book. I just hope a book like this is written about the Florida units that fought with the Army of Tennessee.

For those with an interest in Floridians who fought in the Civil War you understand the difficulties in finding good material. For the most part the contributions to the fighting side of the war were limited and source material is difficult to find. This is not to say that Floridians did not do their part for the Confederate effort however. Zack Waters and James Edmonds have spent years researching to try and put an end to the belief that Floridians (or Flowers as they were often called due to Florida being the "Land of Flowers") were cowards in battle as has been put forth in the past. For those Floridians who fought in the Army of Norhtern Virginia they have finally received their due credit.Traditionally the Florida Brigade has consisted of the 2nd, 5th, and 8th Infantry Regiments and was led by Edward A. Perry (thus Perry's Brigade). Three other regiments (9th, 10th, and 11th) were added later in the war. As the war progressed the brigade was at times led by Col. David Lang and later on a permanent basis by Brigadier General Joseph Finegan. The very end of the war saw T.W. Brevard promoted to Brigadier General. Brevard was commanding at the surrender at Appomattox.Perry's Brigade was at many of the major battles of the war though they did not participate in all of them. Floridians suffered major losses at battles such as Seven Pines, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg (they took part in Pickett's Charge), The Wilderness, and Cold Harbor. In addition to battlefield casualties the brigade had major issues with sickness and desertion which became more problematic as the war progressed. Sickness during the siege at Petersburg became rampant as poor rations, poor living conditions (including filth and vermin), and bad weather took their toll. The winter of 1864 prompted Dr. Thomas Palmer to ask that the Florida troops be sent home as they were unaccustomed to such conditions. His request was of course denied.Desertion, or French leave as Waters and Edmonds call it, became a problem for the Confederacy as a whole but a major issue for the Florida brigade. While the above mentioned rations and living conditions played a major part in why men left there were other reasons as well. While a general sense of hoplessness was beginning to take over Waters and Edmonds argue that the home front played a larger part in desertions. While morale was low on the field it was even lower at home. Letters from home described the difficulties those left behind were suffering, including slave issues. Many men were torn between their duty as soldiers and their duty as husbands and fathers. Often being a family man prevailed. It is also argued that a lack of strong command help push men to leave. In the Florida brigade under Finegan many officer positions went unfilled due to both lack of qualified men and also Finegan's failings. Those higher up also must share blame. By not being able to provide food, clothing, and pay to the soldiers the Confederate government must be held accountable.Waters and Edmonds have shown that the men from Florida who fought in the Civil War were neither cowards nor were they the major leaders. These were average men fighting for what they believed in. All they asked in return was to be treated fairly by their government. Unfortunately issues beyond their control did not allow this to happen. While many deserted the large majority remained and ultimately surrendered their weapons at Appomattox, effectively signalling the end of the war.Waters and Edmonds have written a much needed work and they are to be commended for the effort it has taken. The lack of and difficulty in finding Florida material makes this book an achievement to be respected. The notes section runs over 30 pages and contains much valueable information. The bibliography will no doubt be relied upon by generations of future researchers.There are some areas I feel improvements could be made however. As I have seen other reviewers say more maps could be added. This is a consistant gripe with almost every book however. Cartographers could make a living just off of Civil War books with the way we want maps. While overall the writing is good I found myself confused regarding the Seige of Petersburg and what transpired. I don't know much about this though so it could just be my lack of knowledge of the subject. Col. David Lang played a vital role in Perry's Brigade and I would have like to have had more information on him and also on how and why T. W. Brevard was appointed Brigadier General over him.A Small But Spartan Band has earned it's place amongst the important works on Florida during the Civil War. I do not believe this to be the final or ultimately most authoritative work we will see however. That being said based upon what I have seen this is the leader and future authors will rely on the research Waters and Edmonds have done. Recommended!