Posted on 10/07/2001 9:23:37 AM PDT by fnord
The thing I like about Turtledove's series is that for at least the first few books he uses actual quotes from the historical figure. Not to give away too much, but interestingly enough after Lincoln is booted out of office in '64, he starts the American Socialist Party. Now THAT I find not only plausible but quite likely
I'm sorry but after all the hoopla about Adams' book I must say that I'm completely underwhelmed by it. I think that he makes too many unsubstantiated claims and backs up his writings with a tiny bibliography of only a dozen or so sources. None of which were government sources - from either the north or south. I cranked out a master's thesis with a longer bibliography than that. All in all, a shoddy work. Again, IMHO.
Author Burke Davis has a several books on various Civil War personalities and is a good story teller. J.E.B. Stuart, The Last Cavalier, and To Appomatox, Nine Days in April, 1865
The last book mentioned is a great accounting of the flight of the Confederate Army from Richmond to its final surrender at Appomatox. My favorite part of the whole book is when General Wise, the former VA. Governer stops to wash his face in a mud puddle one morning. General Lee rides up and Genl.Wise stands up to talk with him, only his face is covered in mud. General Lee says something to the effect of "General, I appreciate your enthusiasam in putting on your war paint this morning".
I have the first set, and trust me, they are truly amazing and a must if you collect action figures or a history buff. They are offering a WWI collection, and famous Gunfighters as well. I've already pre-ordered the whole dang thing.
The Campaigns of General Nathan Bedford Forrest by Jordan and Pryor is a very interesting, albeit biased, read. It provides detailed and insight into this controversial yet magnificent calvaryman.
Joshua Chamberlain's autobiography (I believe titled Passing of the Armies) is excellent, as well.
Charles Adams' recent book which has also been recommended is most valuable in understanding the start of the war. It is interesting, and will stimulate you to furthur research. It uses data, combined with contemporary accounts, to verify Pollard and add understanding to Catton.
Finally, if you read Mary B. Chestnut's diary, then I would recommend 'Confederate Charleston' as a companion read.
"Seventy 'patriotic free Negroes of Lynchburg' proffered their services to Governor John Letcher 'to act in whatever capacity they may be assigned to them' in defense of Virginia. Even blacks in Vicksburg, Mississippi held a fundraiser for 'de boys in Virginny' which netted one thousand dollars. Norfolk blacks voluntarily erected breastworks while Charles Tinsley, spokesman for a group of black volunteers from Petersburg, vowed they would gladly serve their native state in her hour of trial and stood ready to obey any and all orders. An October of 1861 illustration in Harper's Weekly of a Confederate recruitment parade in Woodstock was led by a public-sprited black man bearing a Virginia state flag.
And how did the Southern papers see the blacks who were fighting and helping the Confederacy?
In paying the negroes at work on the fortifications, we understand that most villainous abuses have been practised. The paymaster requires them to be identified by their overseers, and we are informed that it has been a practice for some of the overseers to charge these poor people ten per cent of their pay as fees for their identification. Who are these overseers, and who is responsible for their conduct? ....In the name of God, is there no justice to be found in the courts of human justice for iniquities like this?---Richmond Examiner, 1862Both quotes taken from Ervin L. Jordan's, an African-American professor, essay Different Drummers:Black Virginians as Confederate Loyalists
Of course articles like this and the treatment of African Americans were quite different than what we have been taught in schools(government controlled by the winner of the War). Maybe LLAN could explain anecdotal evidence from Union soldiers after the war that witnessed Confederate black and white soldiers together at troop reunions, why the South paid their soldiers of any color the same pay rate(Confederate Congress,1862).
In Charleston, 75 whites rented homes from blacks. By 1860, there were 26 free black residents of Nashville, who with not property in 1850, had managed to accumulate net assets of $1,000. Free blacks prospered as bricklayers, barbers, machinists, carpenters, and in many other professions....About 25% of all free blacks owned slaves. A few of these were men who purchased their family members to protect or free them,but most were people who saw slavery as the best way to economic wealth and independence for themselves. In South Carolina, John Stanley owned 163 and William Ellison owned 97. The Metoyer clan of Louisiana owned nearly 400. By 1860, so many black women in Charleston had inherited or been given slaves and property by white men, and used their property to start successful businesses as caterers, dressmakers, and other small busineses that they owned 70% of the black owned slaves in the city---Black Southerners in Gray, Richard Rollins
Yes there are nine things. Nine things that the north continues to sell as the lie while more and more evidence comes through the cracks from brave African-Americans who are just researching their family history.
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