Saturday, October 16, 2010   [Civil War Justice in Southeast
Missouri by Bob Schmidt (Printed by Camp Pope Publishing, 2010).
Softcover, maps, illustrations, notes, index. 230 Pages. ISBN:
978-1-929919-29-1 $25]  Given its wide scope and the seriousness
of consequences to soldiers and civilians alike, the application
of military law in contested areas by the Union army between
1861 and 1865 remains understudied. Bob Schmidt, the author of
several regional studies, in his new book Civil War Justice in
Southeast Missouri does not attempt a broad treatment, but
rather delves into seven case studies, ranging from mundane
offenses on up to capital murder. Schmidt's selections serve as
a rather good cross section of the types of crimes and
punishments encountered during the war, especially in areas
where both sides enjoyed considerable popular support. The first
involves civil courts, the rest only military.  The following
are very brief summaries of the cases covered in the book:   •
Samuel V. McFarland, and unarm