As the nation’s future hung in the balance, the Weather Gods delivered a wrath of fury on Union and Confederate forces throughout the Gettysburg Campaign. First, record-breaking heat and humidity wore down the warring armies during ungodly forced marches. Next, relentless storms plagued the soldiers with resultant muddy slogs on nearly impassable roads.
As the armies met in mortal combat, soul-crushing heat turned the bucolic fields of Gettysburg into a sanguinary and barren expanse. Finally, torrential rains haunted the Confederate retreat and narrow escape across a swollen Potomac River.
Authors Jeffrey J. Harding and Jon M. Nese present firsthand accounts, harrowing narratives and groundbreaking meteorological research that reshapes how we view the Civil War’s Gettysburg Campaign.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy.
This books has received considerable early interest and has words of praise from licensed battlefield guides, academics, weather professionals, and expert National Park Service employees. I am looking forward to reading this.
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Arcadia Publishing imprint The History Press has released several Civil War titles in the “Hidden History” series including mine on the state of Florida. Others that come to mind cover Tennessee,Savannah, and Oregon. Each author has their own thought on how the book should be set up. That is a strength and weakness of this series. While the book covers are often similar, the meat of the book is decidedly different in format, style, and substance. This can lead to confusion for some readers, who might expect the books to be similar.
Mr. Thomas wastes no time in putting forth his primary beliefs when he states “Though it is most commonly called the Civil War or the War Between the States, the most appropriate moniker is the War for Southern Independence (page 9). That aside, the book cover 50 stories, covering topics the author believes are rarely mentioned elsewhere, staying away from “great battles, leaders, and other topics covered numerous times by others…” That is a noble goal and perfect for this series. In fact, I followed this route when I declined to include Olustee in my own book.
Thomas breaks his subject matter into six major themes with subchapters in each. The themes include the early days, leadership, blockade of South Carolina’s coast, naval operations, soldiers’ stories, and postwar years and remembrance. The individual chapters in each subject are usually short; two to three pages at most, allowing for the book to be easily picked up and put down.
With South Carolina being the first state to secede, I was disappointed to not find an in depth look at secession, how it came about, and the outcomes of the movement in the pre Confederacy days. Unionists are given no space in the book and the story of Robert Smalls (OK, maybe that’s not truly HIDDEN HISTORY) is not discussed. With 50 chapters being included, it seems there could be space carved out for these stories.
As Arcadia is known for, the book contains many b/w images to supplement the text, though maybe not as many as some Arcadia titles come with. The Library of Congress and Naval History and Heritage Command serve as primary sources for the photos in this book.
For those seeking a brief introduction to South Carolina Civil War history this might be a book you will enjoy. The chapters are brief which along with the notes and abbreviated bibliography will provide good starting points for further inquiry.
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Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of Hidden History of Civil War South Carolina. The book will be released in February, but is available now for pre-order. Please look for a review in the near future.
All of South Carolina’s history during the Civil War isn’t well known. Author D. Michael Thomas has uncovered fifty accounts of lost history pertaining to the state and its men during the war. These are stories of astounding chivalry and valor in the face of horrific tragedies, along with unprecedented events. A single South Carolinian captured nearly six hundred Union soldiers.
Lieutenant Alexander Chisolm had an extraordinary career. See the connection between South Carolina College and its Confederate generals. Learn little-known tales about naval operations from the Union and the Confederacy and witness the recovery of the state’s “Gettysburg Dead.” Join the author as he recounts these hidden stories and more.
I have had the pleasure of reading several books in the Civil War “Hidden History” series from Arcadia. Each is distinct and different in approach, content, and writing style.
First, is my personal book, Hidden History of Civil War Florida. You may order on Amazon,or signed copies are available in the shop on this website.
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Take a look at some of the great things to do in Myrtle Beach and get book your tickets and reservations at a great price through TIQETS on TRAVELPAYOUTS.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of this book. This review is completely independent of their generosity.
The Siege of Vicksburg is usually thought of as the forgotten relative of the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg had all the glamour, including Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Three days worth of fighting and a visit later in 1863 from President Abraham Lincoln, and his few appropriate remarks, have forever sealed Gettysburg as the pivotal, turning point of the American Civil War.
Countering this eastern centric interpretation are those who feel that the leadership of Ulysses S. Grant, the siege of Vicksburg, and ultimately taking control of the entire Mississippi River are the events that truly turned the war in the favor of the Union.
No matter your interpretation of the events of June and July 1863, there can be no doubt that actions at Vicksburg played a crucial role in the outcome of the war over the remaining two years. Readers wanting to know everything there is to know about the Siege of Vicksburg (or as close as you can get to everything) are referred to the work of Civil War scholar Timothy B. Smith.
The Book Itself
Elizabeth Hoxie Joyner is taking us on a visual tour of Vicksburg National Cemetery. This is not meant to be a history of the siege, though you will learn a bit in the short chapter introductions.
It is important to remember that this is Vicksburg NATIONAL Cemetery and contains burials from not only the Civil War but from other engagements. Chapters include
Establishment of Vicksburg National Cemetery: Creation of a Lasting Tribute
The Drum Beat and the Cannon Roared: Mexican War and Civil War Soldiers
Duty, Honor, Country: Spanish-American War through Korean War
Remembered with Honor and Respect: Vietnam War 1955-1975
Vicksburg National Cemetery Superintendents: Guardians of the Hallowed Ground
The images are heavy on headstones as might be anticipated. Readers will also find images of soldiers, nurses, cemetery landscapes, battlefield action, ships that men might have served on, military honors, and more. There are modern and vintage photos with period engravings sprinkled throughout.
The author is a retired Museum Curator at Vicksburg National Military Park. Ms. Joyner well prepared to have put together a book such as this.
Resources
For those wishing to learn more about Vicksburg National Military Park, please use THIS LINK.
Readers can find a listing of over 5,000 burials at Vicksburg National Cemetery by visiting FINDAGRAVE. While more than 17,000 are interred here, the vast majority from the Civil War era were unable to be identified. Those considered “famous” by Findagrave standards include Embury Dufree Osband, a brevet brigadier general, and a cenotaph recognizing congressman Robert Blair Campbell, who is buried in London.
To learn more about the National Cemetery Administration, find a listing of national cemeteries, and to apply online for interment in a national cemetery, please use THIS LINK.
Final Thoughts
For those interested in cemetery history, national cemeteries, or the Siege of Vicksburg, this is a recommended title. A reader can skim or read this book in any order. The captions are short, in keeping with the series, allowing readers who only have a few minutes to pick this up and not worry about time.
Arcadia books have increased in price over the last several years. They still offer a good value for the casual reader and they often make excellent souvenirs or keepsakes from a visit.
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The Images of America series from Arcadia Publishing provides readers/viewers with a formula ready way to learn a brief history of a selected topic. Some teach more history than others and some titles are more needed than others. I think the argument can be made that Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is a photo history that is needed.
Authors Colby Lipscomb and Derrick Brown have decades of experience at the battlefield as visitors and, currently, as staff members and this experience shows in their treatment of the material. As the authors themselves note, the book is not meant to be a retelling of the Battle of Bentonville, nor is it meant to be a history of the Bentonville community. Rather, “it is the authors’ fervent desire that these images relay the story of the struggles, victories, and labor that went into the creation of Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site and making it the place it is.
Authors Lipscomb and Brown cover a wide swath of ground in a concise 128 pages that can easily be consumed in a single sitting. Chapter one is titled The Battlefield, as should be expected. Maps, period engravings, and photos of the primary players comprise the majority of the chapter.
The community of Bentonville and battlefield monuments and memorials are chapters two and three. These chapters contain a nice mixture of vintage and modern images. The Goldsboro Rifles monument takes center stage with several nice images throughout the years. This monument was erected by veterans of the battle years before the Historic Site was created . Begun in 1894 and unveiled in 1895, the marker is in memory of the Confederate dead.
The Harper House, built in 1855, served as the home to John and Amy Harper. During the war, Union troops occupied the home. The use it as a temporary hospital for troops from Sherman’s XIV Army Corps. This structure is the only war era building still standing at the site and as such it plays a significant role in this book. Images include former inhabitants, grounds, the home through the years, and renovation efforts. For me, however, the chapter went on too long, reaching twenty-four pages.
The chapter titled Establishing a Historic Site brings to life the 1950s and 60s efforts to create the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. With images as diverse the signing of the property document, to parades, to fieldwork, and the development of the visitor’s center, this is a fascinating chapter. Several images show just how far museum exhibits have come in the last sixty years.
Programs and events are a key part of any historic site and Bentonville has been an active participant since inception. From a special Boy Scout badge to the development and expansion of annual reenactments, and the arrival of army staff rides, Bentonville is eager to share an accurate and true history of the battle and the events surrounding it. This enthusiasm leads to the final chapter, Bentonville in the 21st Century.
In 1999, the opening of a new visitor’s center allowed the battlefield to welcome more guests than they had previously encountered. The “Dean of Civil War Historians,” Ed Bearss; “the unofficial mayor of Bentonville,” Tim Westbrook; and Eric Wittenberg, among others set the stage for the modern Bentonville park . With ongoing archaeological work, reinterpretations, and archival research, Bentonville is not an overlooked, end of the war, encounter. Visitors will learn of the 80,000 soldiers who fought here on March 19-21, 1865.
This book helps provide a gateway for readers wanting to learn more about the waning days of the Confederacy. Through this easy to navigate volume, readers will find themselves developing an interest in this late war conflict. They can then move to full battle treatments. Recommended.
This book is not meant to be a retelling of the Battle of Bentonville. The authors do make two suggestions for readers interesting in learning more about this battle.
For readers seeking a modern look at the battle in a concise and accessible format are referred to Calamity in Carolina: The Battles of Averasboro and Bentonville, March 1865. As part of the established Emerging Civil War series, this book is short, but full of detail, and comes with a budget friendly price of less than $20.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of this book.
Click THIS LINK to read additional posts about books published by Arcadia Publishing/History Press.
If you are interested in soldiers from North Carolina, you should read my post on Charles George, a member of the East Band of the Cherokee Tribe who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. CLICK HERE to read more.
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Navigate the often-overlooked history of the resolute defense of the Texas coast during the Civil War.
With volumes written on the Civil War, little attention has been given to the defense of the Texas coast. Most military-aged Texans had been dispatched across the Mississippi, but those left behind resolutely weathered naval bombardments and repulsed invasion attempts. It was only at the end of the conflict that Federal troops were able to make their way into South Texas, as the Confederacy prepared its last stand at Caney Creek and the Brazos River. From famous battles to obscure skirmishes, William Nelson Fox provides an account of the Lone Star State’s defensive strategies during the Civil War.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of this book. A review will be forthcoming.
Thank you for reading my post announcing Texas Coastal Defense in the Civil War. This new book release from Arcadia Publishing will add to the growing literature on the role of Texas and naval affairs during the Civil War years. Read my reviews of other Arcadia Publishing titles using THIS LINK.
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This post may contain affiliate links including Amazon.com.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence views and opinions provided in my blog.
For those interested in Galveston, TX during the Civil War, I recommend this excellent volume written by James M. Schmidt, and published by Arcadia Publishing.
Arcadia Publishing continues it’s role of releasing geographically focused works of history with their new book release, Historic Florida Churches, written by Joy Sheffield Harris.
Harris, Joy Sheffield. Historic Florida Churches. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing. 2024. ISBN 9781467155724, 24.99. 127 pages, 122 pages of text. Bibliography, b/w photos, color photos.
From the publisher:
Over 200 years have passed since the first Florida church was established and today the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine has been restored to capture its original beauty. Pioneer Village Church at Shingle Creek is home to a replica of one the first churches built in the Kissimmee, the St. John’s Episcopal Church. The former St. Paul’s By-The-Sea is now the deconsecrated Beaches Chapel at The Beaches Museum and History Park in Jacksonville Beach. Travel throughout the state or enjoy the beauty of these and many more churches without leaving home.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of this book. A review will be forthcoming.
Thank you for reading my post announcing Historic Florida Churches, a new book release from Arcadia Publishing. Read my reviews of other Arcadia Publishing titles using THIS LINK.
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This post may contain affiliate links including Amazon.com.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence views and opinions provided in my blog.
Join St. Augustine Distillery for a bourbon history and tasting experience you won’t forget. Located in the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine Distillery offers this hour long tour where you will learn the process of producing bourbon, followed by an amazing tasting. Take home a souvenir tasting glass to commemorate the day.
Prohibition is recognized as the most unpopular law in US history. It was so unpopular at the time that some Floridians weren’t all too keen on obeying it. Learn how it was instigated by small town Protestants who believed that newer immigrants living in big cities were immoral because of their emphatic use of alcohol. Prohibition bred corruption, defiance of the law, and hypocrisy as illegal bootlegging, moonshining and rum running replaced legitimate taxpaying industries.
Florida actually voted state-wide Prohibition into law before the dreaded 18th amendment and was the only state to elect a governor from the Prohibition Party. Florida’s Bill McCoy “The Real McCoy” founded Rum Row and became an international celebrity as he made a mockery of the U.S. Coast Guard’s inability to squelch his innovative rum running operations. Al Capone, the infamous gangster, vacationed in Florida while his henchmen perpetrated the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Many virtually unknown stories of tragic killings in Florida during Prohibition are also recounted.
Visit Chicago, the city best known for it’s lawlessness during the Prohibition era. You’ll never run out of things to do in the Windy City. Click the link above for great ideas and money saving offers.
Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of this book. A review will be forthcoming.
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This post may contain affiliate links including Amazon.com.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence views and opinions provided in my blog.
Arcadia Publishing continues their Haunted America series with two new releases for your consideration. Both books are Florida based and should be of interest to readers interested in ghosts, haunted history, and Florida history.
After you enjoy this post about two new releases in the Haunted America series, read more of my posts related to Arcadia Publishing titles, using THIS LINK.
Arcadia Publishing has generously supplied complimentary review copies of two new releases in their Haunted America series of books. I will be providing book reviews for these books in the near future. Both books are now available for pre-release purchase through your local bookstore or online outlets.
Haunted Florida Ghost Towns
Leigh, Heather. Haunted Florida Ghost Towns. Charleston: History Press, 2024. 128 pages, ISBN 9781467156479, $21.99.
The term “ghost towns” brings to mind communities from the Old West where there were once bustling Boom Towns but today are abandoned and lonely pieces to the puzzles of the past. With this image ingrained into a person’s mind, it is challenging to visualize ghost towns with sandy beaches and palm trees swaying in the wind. A little-known fact about Florida is it is home to more than 250 ghost towns, many of which remain the home for the spirits of former inhabitants, civil war deserters, pirates, and more. Haunted Florida Ghost Towns covers the many abandoned locations in the Sunshine State where paranormal entities are known to roam. Take a journey into the world of the supernatural and learn the history behind why Florida has so many ghost towns and the energy that remains to fuel paranormal activity.
Enjoy 75 spooky minutes of sightseeing in York, England on board the Ghost Bus! Your creepy conductor will show you the city’s top sights and give you bone-chilling and humorous insights into some of the more gruesome events in York, England’s past. Click the image or THIS LINK for information and to book your ghost bus tour.
Haunted Indian River County
Lawson, Lawrence. Haunted Indian River County. Charleston, History Press, 2024. 139 pages, ISBN 978467155748, $21.99
Indian River County is an idyllic vacation spot on Florida’s east coast, not far south of Cape Canaveral. Known as part of the state’s famed “Treasure Coast,” many are unaware of the deep and fascinating history this area played in the development of the Sunshine State. Also lost among its visitors and residents are the chilling stories of the hauntings that accompany this rich history. It is here that a man named Waldo still looks after his family and properties, six decades after his death. Or a retired preacher is seen digging up his hidden treasure, days after he died .
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Nese, Jon M. and Jeffrey J. Harding. The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2025. ISBN 9781467158466. Notes, maps, color and b/w images. 238 pages, 206 pages of text. $24.99
Prohibition is recognized as the most unpopular law in US history. It was so unpopular at the time that some Floridians weren’t all too keen on obeying it. Learn how it was instigated by small town Protestants who believed that newer immigrants living in big cities were immoral because of their emphatic use of alcohol. Prohibition bred corruption, defiance of the law, and hypocrisy as illegal bootlegging, moonshining and rum running replaced legitimate taxpaying industries.
