Currently, James Lee McDonough is a faculty member in the Department of History at Auburn University. In 1966 he received his Ph.D. from Florida State University after completing his dissertation...."The Civil War Career of John M. Schofield". McDonough's fields of specialty include U.S. History to 1865; 19th Century Europe; U.S. History since 1865; Medieval Europe; and Religion. However the historical period that we know as the Civil War is perhaps the closest to his heart, as he has authored or co-authored several books dealing with this historical era and its battles. These books include:

War in Kentucky: From Shiloh to Perryville. 1994.

War So Terrible: Sherman and Atlanta. With James Pickett Jones as

Chattanoga: A Death Grip on the Confederacy. 1984.

Five Tragic Hours: The Battle of Franklin. With T. L. Connelly as

Stones River: Bloody Water in Tennessee. 1980

Sky Riders: History of the 327/401 Glide

McDonough has thoroughly researched War in Kentucky: From Shiloh to Perryville, gathering information from many sources which include diaries, letters, etc. Much of McDonough's research was gathered from countless numbers of primary sources as official records, collected works, diaries, memoirs, narratives, research papers, manuscripts, history units, newspapers, biographies, and information gathered from the State Departments of Archives and many different Historical Societies.

Schofield: Union General in the Civil War and Reconstruction. 1972.

According to McDonough no one will never know why Bragg chose not to engage, perhaps his thoughts were on the poor recruitment numbers that turned up in Kentucky. Perhaps he knew that the fall of the Confederate was inevitable.

McDonough explores the Confederacy's attempts to capture Kentucky, first with their march across Tennessee and then onto their unsuccessful attempts at Richmond, Munfordville, and Perryville where the Confederate dream of capturing Kentucky would end. Not only does he look at General Bragg's strategies of the Confederate army, but he also takes a look at General Buell and the strategies of the Union army. It is McDonough's aim for the reader to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the significance of events in the western realm of the Civil War, which to him is actually more fascinating than the events that occured in the eastern realm.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1319
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)