The 14^th New York State Militia in the Civil War

Vol. I: “Baptized by Fire” – From Bull Run to Bull Run,

April 1861-August 1862

By James L. McLean Jr.

I am proud to mention the release, in a limited edition, of Jim McLean’s latest work, Volume I of his projected 3 volume study of the 14^th New York State Militia or the 14^th Brooklyn. Jim and Judy McLean have been close friends since they opened Butternut and Blue Books back in the 1980s. Importantly, Jim has been working on this study for nearly as long. When completed, Jim’s study of the 14^th N.Y.S.M. will truly represent nearly a lifetime of work.

I met Jim and Judy at the National Archives many times as they went through the compiled service records, pension files and volunteer service files of every member of the regiment, as well as nearly every pertinent Army of the Potomac collection that might have shed new light on the regiment. Of course, the archives is just one of many repositories around the country that Jim mined. In other words, I know first hand the depth of his research.

Jim has truly walked or driven nearly every road, camp site or battlefield where ‘his boys’ marched, slept or fought, and I have been lucky enough to have accompanied him on several of his journeys. He has visited the battlefields with experts, including John Hennessy, Harry Smeltzer and Clark ‘Bud’ Hall.

By way of an example, how many readers are aware of the action at Rappahannock Station and Beverly’s Ford, August 21, 22 and 23, 1862. Most of the battlefield is private property but we were lucky enough, with Bud Hall’s help, to spend several hours walking and discussing the action on the actual ground. Jim commissioned three color maps to accompany his description of, and to help us to understand, the nearly forgotten action.

The book includes 424 pages of narrative, 36 color maps, an uncounted number of images, period and modern and many in color, 10 appendices, a full bibliography, full index and bottom of the page footnotes.

Jim had firm ideas of what he wanted the book to look like, and Ted Savas worked with him to produce a magnificent book on quality glossy paper that presents the color photographs, images and maps in their best light. The book is available in a limited edition of 600 copies, with 150 copies signed and numbered by the author.

When you ponder purchasing the book, and the two volumes to follow, please consider one other point. Rather than jumping from battle to battle, with little connection in between, Jim has presented us with a very detailed study of every aspect of a soldier’s life in the Army of the Potomac, as well as their post-war struggles.  His study is a regimental history like no other.

The book is currently available from Savas Beatie. Ted will then pass on your order to Jim, who will sign and forward your copy. Jim is also keeping records so that you will receive the same number for subsequent volumes.