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The Life and Wars of Gideon J. Pillow

Nathaniel Cheairs Hughes; University of Tennessee Press

This is a paperback reprint of Nathaniel Hughes’ 1993 biography of the man best known to Civil War enthusiasts for his lackluster defense of—and clandestine escape from—Fort Donelson in 1862, and for lending his name to another fort that became notorious later in the war. But Gideon Johnson Pillow had a long and controversial career in law, politics and the Army before the Civil War. In the war with Mexico, he was a Kentucky brigadier, he was promoted to major general by his former law partner, and he had a contentious relationship with Winfield Scott. During the 1850s Pillow made failed bids for the U.S. Senate and the vice presidency. Hughes’ engaging style brings one of the war’s shadowy figures to light.

 

Originally published in the June 2012 issue of Civil War Times. To subscribe, click here.