Thread by @pptsapper

Ben Butler, man. Saving thousands of lives from an epidemic. Between this and his advocacy for USCT, it might be time to revisit his historiography

(An Environmental History of the Civil War, 32)

Good note here: smallpox vaccinations were also enforced in the US Army in the Civil War, beginning in 1861

This is the kind of nerdery I live for. The effects of weather and geology on the Peninsula Campaign of 1862.

And this right here, military history needs more of this type of analysis. What were the environmental effects on an army, and what did that do to the commander's decision making process? Nearly 40% of the AoP being combat ineffective is a big deal.

What did it mean for the confederacy that 75% of its horses died every year and that they could not get a reliable supply of horseshoes?

Reduced mobility and firepower

Logistics wins and loses wars. Always.

Holy crap. @megankatenelson, this is mind-boggling. Adding "Ruin Nation" to my reading list, now.

Finished this in one sitting - a fascinating perspective on warfare. Much of it is merely summaries of secondary sources, but thru a different lens. There's also some original research. Definitely a good way to change one's thinking about war and conflict, highly recommend