A Rebel War Clerk's Diary VOL I (three stars)

Interesting book. Jones worked in the War Department and had access or interaction at least with many of the military and civilian players of the Confederate government. Written as a transcription of Jones's diary entries, it gives the reader a better feel as to how disconnected the central government of the CSA was from the distant fronts and even from Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Rumors and poor intelligence abound in this book and Jones's opinion of events such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the detrimental effect it would have on the North and the positive effect it would have on the South were way off. You also get the impression that the man wasn't a fan of people of Jewish faith either. Nevertheless, a good primary source in many things.