The Civil War Dictionary (Vintage Civil War Library)

For almost thirty years The Civil War Dictionary has been the most complete, authoritative, and handy reference book on what has been called the Second American Revolution, 1861-1865. Periodically updated throughout sixteen printings, this invaluable volume has more than 4,000 entries, alphabetically arranged and carefully cross-referenced. Among them:
-- 2,000 biographical sketches of Civil War leaders. both military and civilian
-- extensive descriptions of all 20 campaigns and entries on lesser battles, engagements and skirmishes
-- 120 armies, departments, and districts, as well as such famous smaller units as the Iron Brigade, the 20th Maine, and the Pennsylvania Reserves
-- plus naval engagements, weapons, issues and incidents, military terms and definitions, politics, literature, statistics, and 86 specially prepared maps and diagrams

Mark Mayo Boatner III was an American soldier, historian, and author. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1943 and then fought in Italy during the second world war. He also fought in the Korean War. While teaching history at West Point he wrote and published The Civil War Dictionary.