I am interested in researching the life of Professor Dennis Hart Mahan
of West Point, (1821-1870), his contribution if any to Lincoln's
strategies for winning the war, and his impact, again if any, in the
world of the US Military thought and development during the 19th.
Century. |
Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
13 Oct 2002 14:33 PDT
Hi.
Could you provide a little more information about your expectations
for an answer?
Do you want a researcher to summarize and analyze the contribution and
impact of Professor Mahan?
Or would a list of sources of information (i.e., books, articles,
etc.) about Professor Mahan be satisfactory?
|
Request for Question Clarification by
brettquest-ga
on
13 Oct 2002 15:07 PDT
Destry-ga:
There is a Dennis Hart Mahan with an impact on the Civil War. However,
the life dates on this Mahan are 1802-1871 rather than 1821-1870.
Please confirm the life dates on your subject of interest. I'll be
happy to summarize and assess him for you if I have the right
individual.
Regards,
|
Clarification of Question by
destry-ga
on
15 Oct 2002 12:19 PDT
For Juggler-ga:
Sources essentially are what I seek. If however you have insights into
Mahans worth, especially insights that would focus that research area,
they would be most welcome.(I do have a list of sources at hand
including the only thesis on him). Bottom line is: is his reputation
worth elevating/restoring above the somewhat dismissive references to
him in the usual References?
|
Clarification of Question by
destry-ga
on
15 Oct 2002 12:31 PDT
Dear Brettquest-ga,
Sorry, that seems to have been a typo. His dates are 1802 to 1870,
(1821 being the year he entered West Point, I believe).
For your interest, I have Greiss' thesis on him, and am interested in
reaching beyond it to determine his overall worth towards the Union
effort in winning the Civil War and in the professionalisation of the
US Army.
He hailed from Co Leitrim, Ireland where my family also comes from.
Mine lost two brothers at Gettysburg. It has been fireside lore there
that Mahan was the guiding genius of Lincolns strategy.
I am trying to prove that lore is based however tenuously, on fact. A
risky undertaking in my native Ireland but someone must do it!!
Destry-Ga.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
15 Oct 2002 23:55 PDT
Thanks for letting us know that you already have Griess' thesis.
That's probably the single largest work devoted to the subject of
Professor Mahan.
Do you have Professor Mahan's memoir? It's apparently rather brief
(approximately eight pages).
|
Clarification of Question by
destry-ga
on
16 Oct 2002 01:11 PDT
Greetings and thanks for a prompt response.
I do not have his memoir and would be most interested in reading it.
In the Leitrim lore, there is a story that Mahan sought to have his
Commission restored and join the war effort. Lincoln, it is said,
refused his application on the grounds that he was too valuable to the
Union effort to be put at risk.
Can you comment on this?
Also I note in Greiss that most sources quoted are in archives, (West
Point and Washington). What means can a distance learner(myself)use to
access these archives or if there is not such a facility, may I
continue to avail of this means (fairly and reasonably) to further my
enquiries?
Finally, I note that there may be some of the Mahan family extant.
Could they be a source of information?
Sorry about this extended counter-query. Ignore what you may.
Regards,
Desmond of Destry-ga.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
17 Oct 2002 00:19 PDT
Hello.
Professor Mahan's memoir is available at several libraries such as the
Naval Observatory.
I think this link should take you to the record directly:
http://moon.usno.navy.mil/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fmoon.usno.navy.mil%2FUrania.htm&TN=urania&SN=AUTO15784&SE=872&RN=0&MR=100&RF=Short+Form&DF=Long+Form&RL=0&DL=0&NP=3&ID=&MF=&MQ=&TI=0
If that doesn't work, try this page:
http://moon.usno.navy.mil/Urania.htm
Run a title search for "dennis hart mahan."
To get a copy or this or other materials such as those cited by
Griess, you'll need to contact the particular library that has the
item. Photocopying policies vary. If the materials that you're seeking
are at the Library of Congress, it's relatively easy to get
photocopies (especially of older, non-copyrighted material).
Visit the LOC's page on this subject for more information:
http://lcweb.loc.gov/preserv/pds/faq.html
|
Clarification of Question by
destry-ga
on
17 Oct 2002 10:43 PDT
Juggler-ga,
Thank you for the memoir source, ...er! how do you open it?
Destry-ga.
|
Clarification of Question by
destry-ga
on
27 Oct 2002 02:23 PST
Dear Juggler,
Many thanks for your last. I will as you propose initiate a new
question perhaps later when I have read more into the subject.
On that latter point may I thank you for the suggested reading
matarial which I will try to acquire from the site you mentioned.
May I thank you for your advice generally and your suggestions which I
found positive and helpful.
Sincerely,
Destry.
|
