Bradley Clampitt's The Confederate Heartland examines morale in the Civil War's western theaterùthe region that witnessed the most consistent Union success and Confederate failure and the battle ground where many historians contend that the war was won and lost. Clampitt's western focus provides a glimpse into the hearts and minds of Confederates who routinely witnessed the defeat of their primary defenders, the Army of Tennessee. This book tracks morale through highs and lows related to events on and off the battlefield and addresses the lingering question of when and why western Confederates.

January-February 1864 : hope and despair -- March-April 1864 : a new beginning -- May-June 1864 : winning the war -- July-August 1864 : retreat, removal, and doubt -- September-October 1864 : uncertainty again -- November-December 1864 : sunset at Franklin -- January-February 1865 : "we can certainly live without Negros better than with Yankees" -- March-April 1865 and conclusion.