Maryland Voices of the Civil War
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 OleskerBaltimore Examiner)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 politicalandpersonal 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 LewisBaltimore Magazine)A generously illustrated history of Maryland during the Civil War using documents from the time... Mitchell records gore for purpose and with meaning.(Urbanite)Both fascinating and illuminating...Maryland Voices of the Civil Warbelongs not only in libraries and schools, but also on the bookshelves of everyone interested in this state or that era.(William EvittsMaryland Historical Magazine)Unlike other Civil War books,Voicesfocuses on the civilians that left behind written documentation about their experiences.(Anny HogeCity Paper)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)A model of this genre... highly recommended for its masterful presentation of primary sources...Maryland Voices of the Civil Wardeserves to be in the library of anyone interested in mid-19th century American history.(Michael RussertCivil War News)Maryland Voicesis even better than I expected it to be, which makes it better than fine. It is by far the best book we have on Civil War Maryland and a triumphant proof that Mitchell's documentary approach is just right. Of course some will still say that Maryland 'almost' seceded, but he has left them no way to say it. Mitchell is also superb on that neglected subject, blacks' agency in ensuring that secesh and slavery itself had no shot at enduring.(William W. Freehling, The Virginia Foundation for theHumanities)Although Maryland remained in the Union, the state was riven by divided loyalties during the Civil War. Maryland soldiers fought on both sides and the state experienced internal upheavals, occupation by Union soldiers, and invasions by Confederate armies. This book presents the words of white and black Maylanders of all conditions and persuasions in a mosaic of voices that captures the contentions and confusions of this experience.(James M. McPherson, Princeton University)A perfect gift for Civil War buffs... extensive and meticulously researched... powerful, rich in diversity, and evocative of the 'fog of war,' these Maryland voices should not be ignored.(Claudia Floyd, Villa Julie University)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. LaFantasieHistorian)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 McDonaldFederation of Genealogical Societies)