'The Gray and the Blue' is a 'must have' for Civil War bookshelves

One of the most unique books to come across my desk in a long time is a recently published book by Charles Howe Hayes called “The Gray and the Blue: A Comic Strip History of the Civil War.”

Published by Pelican Publishing Co. in Gretna, La., this 144-page book skillfully tells the story of the Civil War in 770 individual block cartoons. Most of the cartoons measure just 2-3/4 x 3-1/2 inches, about the size of a typical “Family Circus,” “Dennis the Menace” or “Marmaduke” cartoon in The Mobile Press-Register.

This book was especially well done, and Hayes does an excellent job of getting down the barebones of history, due in large part to the fact that he’s got such a small canvas to work on. The book is also very entertaining, and Hayes mixes in a lot of humor. Many readers will probably find themselves learning a lot about the Civil War without even realizing it.

Hayes covers a lot of ground in the book and starts with the main causes of the war, which officially began with the first shots at Fort Sumter in April 1861. Hayes goes on to discuss a wide range of events, including Manassas, the Peninsula campaign, Shiloh, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Vicksburg, Gettysburg and dozens of other battles.

Hayes also discusses the secession of the Southern states, the Emancipation Proclamation and the period after the war known as Reconstruction. The book also contains numerous cartoon maps and battle diagrams that help illustrate important events. Readers will also find a number of cartoon profiles that tell about important people during the Civil War period, including military figures, politicians, spies, assassins and prominent civilians.

As you might have imagined, Alabama is mentioned more than a few times in the book, but it’s most prominently mentioned in a chapter called “Streight Across Alabama: How a Teen-Aged Girl Helped Her Country.” This 10-page chapter describes a Union cavalry raid across North Alabama in March 1863 that was thwarted by Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Along the way, Forrest was assisted by 16-year-old Emma Sansom, who lived near Gadsden and helped show Forrest and his 600 men where they could ford Black Creek.

Hayes, who lives in Tyler, Texas, is especially well suited to write this book. A retired editorial cartoonist and award-winning artist, his great-grandfather Ephraim T. Hayes fought for the Union during the Civil War as part of the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry while another of his great-grandfathers, Joseph D. Howe, fought for the Confederacy as part of the 20th Mississippi Infantry. He’s also a life member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Military Order of the Stars and Bars.

In the end, if you enjoy reading about American History, I highly recommend that you check out Hayes’ book. It takes a well-balanced, factual look at the Civil War and is perfect for youngsters wanting to learn more about the war’s main events.

Copies of the book are available in major bookstores as well as online through retailers like Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.