The most contentious event in our nation's history, the Civil War deeply divided families, friends, and communities. Both sides fought to define the conflict on their own terms-Lincoln and his supporters struggled to preserve the Union and end slavery, while the Confederacy waged a battle for the primacy of local liberty or "states' rights." But the war had its own peculiar effects on the four border slave states that remained loyal to the Union. Internal disputes and shifting allegiances injected uncertainty, apprehension, and violence into the everyday lives of their citizens. No state better exemplified the vital role of a border state than Maryland-where the passage of time has not dampened debates over issues such as the alleged right of secession and executive power versus civil liberties in wartime. In Maryland Voices of the Civil War, Charles W. Mitchell draws upon hundreds of letters, diaries, and period newspapers-many previously unpublished-to portray the passions of a wide variety of people-merchants, slaves, soldiers, politicians, freedmen, women, clergy, slave owners, civic leaders, and children-caught in the emotional vise of war.
Mitchell tells the compelling story of how Maryland African Americans escaped from slavery and fought for the Union and their freedom alongside white soldiers and he reinforces the provocative notion that Maryland's Southern sympathies-while genuine-never seriously threatened to bring about a Confederate Maryland. Maryland Voices of the Civil War illuminates the human complexities of the Civil War era and the political realignment that enabled Marylanders to abolish slavery in their state before the end of the war.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
Mitchell's remarkable new book lets us listen and understand how the great war was fought to save the union, this state and our national soul. -- Michael Olesker Baltimore Examiner 2007 Using excerpts from personal correspondence, journals, and newspapers from that period, Mitchell frames the issues (states' rights, slavery, secession) and the state's role in the conflict in both political and personal terms. There's plenty of bravado from the warriors, but Mitchell also does an excellent job including the voices of people who are simply snagged by the war... giving it more diversity and range. -- John Lewis Baltimore Magazine 2007 A generously illustrated history of Maryland during the Civil War using documents from the time... Mitchell records gore for purpose and with meaning. Urbanite 2007 Both fascinating and illuminating... Maryland Voices of the Civil War belongs not only in libraries and schools, but also on the bookshelves of everyone interested in this state or that era. -- William Evitts Maryland Historical Magazine 2007 Unlike other Civil War books, Voices focuses on the civilians that left behind written documentation about their experiences. -- Anny Hoge City Paper 2008 The voices of Maryland flow freely off the pages of this work... This is not just a book for Maryland. It is a work that belongs in all academic institutions' Civil War collections. Highly recommended. Choice 2008 A model of this genre... highly recommended for its masterful presentation of primary sources... Maryland Voices of the Civil War deserves to be in the library of anyone interested in mid-19th century American history. -- Michael Russert Civil War News 2008 A handsomely designed book, the author tells the story of the divisions that kept Marylanders in contention with one another during the Civil War. -- Glenn W. LaFantasie Historian 2009 This book would be of special interest to those interested in African American history or genealogy; anyone seeking data on those border states which were so deeply conflicted by the war; and those whose forebears were resident in Maryland in the years immediately preceding, during and after the Civil War. It is well-written, and would add detail to any research conducted on the period. -- Rev. Dr. David McDonald Federation of Genealogical Societies
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
Für Beruf und Forschung
Produkt-Hinweis
Fadenheftung
Gewebe-Einband
Illustrationen
52 s/w Zeichnungen, 41 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
52 Line drawings, black and white; 41 Halftones, black and white
Maße
Höhe: 260 mm
Breite: 185 mm
Dicke: 44 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-8018-8621-8 (9780801886218)
DOI
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Charles W. Mitchell, a Marylander by birth and by choice, is a writer descended from a congressman, a pirate, and two Confederate officers who appear in the pages of this book. The ancestors of his wife, Betsy, include eleven Union soldiers, Pennsylvanians all. Charley and Betsy, and their two children, Abbie and Alec, live in Lutherville, Maryland.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Editorial Metho
Introduction
Part I: Indecision
1. Fall 1860-Winter 1861
2. April 1861
3. May 1861
4. Summer 1861
Part II: "Occupation"
5. Federals
6. Recruits
7. Arrests
8. Prison
9. Rebels
Part III: Liberation
10. Slaves
11. Black Troops
12. Freedom?
13. Murder
Epilogue
Abbreviations for Frequently Cited Sources
Notes
Bibliographic Note
Index
