In this illuminating study; Steven E. Nash chronicles the history of Reconstruction as it unfolded in the mountains of western North Carolina. Nash presents a complex story of the region's grappling with the war's aftermath; examining the persistent wartime loyalties that informed bitter power struggles between factions of white mountaineers determined to rule. For a brief period; an influx of federal governmental power enabled white anti-Confederates to ally with former slaves in order to lift the Republican Party to power locally and in the state as a whole. Republican success led to a violent response from a transformed class of elites; however; who claimed legitimacy from the antebellum period while pushing for greater integration into the market-oriented New South.Focusing on a region that is still underrepresented in the Reconstruction historiography; Nash illuminates the diversity and complexity of Appalachian political and economic machinations; while bringing to light the broad and complicated issues the era posed to the South and the nation as a whole.
#1288242 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2013-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.22 x .76 x 6.20l; 1.03 #File Name: 1469609886320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Good Read to learn how the Revolutionary War in the South contributed to the British capitulation at Yorktown.By anthonyWell researched and well written. Details Greene's battle with Cornwallis in one of the most important battles in the South. The British loss of 25% of their fighting Army led Cornwallis to seek resupply at as port; so he choose Yorktown; and so this battle led to the surrender of the British. Some of the American Militia fought bravely; however; some entire companies broke ranks. British held the field at a dear cost; principally determined by superior discipline of the 3 regiments of Royal Guards and a lust for battle by the Tarleton led Legion. Cornwallis commented Guilford Courthouse was the most fierce battle he had witnessed and described the engagement with American Soldiers as "They fought like Demons". One British Parliament member commented "If we win any more battles like Guilford Courthouse we won't have an Army to fight the Americans". My Patriot ancestor fought in this battle as a Sargent of the Virginia Rifleman ; on the American right flank under Colonel's Lynch and Campbell. He was in his second tour of duty having served in the Militia Pa Rifle Company and was engaged at the Battle of Red Bank and Fort Mifflin. in NJ.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. One You Don't Want To MissBy richard e whitelockThe southern campaign was probably the greatest force that instigated the surrender at Yorktown and finally 2 years later the Treaty of Gent. The British had such a strategic hold on the coastline; but when they went into the interior with loyalists bearing the brunt of the battle; poor lines of communication; supplies and medical assistance led equally to their ultimate defeat. General Gates failure to reinforce Cornwallis at Yorktown; Washington's slick maneuvering and the arrival of the French fleet put the final nail in the coffin. British military failure to act and react were more important factors in America's military successes than the actual performance by our troops.But we should never underestimate the contribution of General Green once he replaced the inept Gates. This is a great book. Camden; Gulliford Courthouse; King's Mountain; Fort 96 are all part of this most interesting account. The loss of Savannah; Augusta and Charleston were well documented. For a couple of years;it looked as if the Americans were doomed. It also brings to light the contributions by the English loyalists who were well established in number and wealth along the southern coastline cities. Once you ventured into the interior; it was any body's gain or loss. General Green performed well for the Rebels and Cornwallis was beaten back and placed on the run by American forces .But inbetween; there was much blood shed and atrocities from both sides;2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Marchers and Killers...By Kevin F. KileyThis is a model battle study; and one that sets a new high standard in the understanding of the battle of Guilford Courthouse and Greene's southern campaign; which one knowledgeable historian compared favorably with the great French Marshal Turenne. The battle; which took place on 15 March 1781 near a small hamlet in central North Carolina; was the largest battle of the War of the American Revolution in North Carolina; and was decisive in that it led to the victory at Yorktown by the allied army under Washington and Rochambeau seven months later in Virginia.It was also one of the most decisive of the war; as the British army commanded by General Earl Charles Cornwallis held the field and Greene withdrew; the British army was so badly mauled in the vicious; no-quarter fighting they were forced to withdraw to Wilmington; North Carolina to rest and refit. From there; Cornwallis made the decision to march north to Virginia; leaving other British commanders in the Carolinas to deal with Greene and the American southern army.Guilford Courthouse has been mentioned in many larger studies previous to this new work; but there has not been a work dedicated to the battle since the 1971 publication by the National Park Service of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse by Charles Hatch. That void has now been filled by this excellent account of what happened near a Quaker meeting house in rural North Carolina on a cold; bloody afternoon in the winter of 1781.This volume is the definitive account of the battle. Very well-researched and capably presented; this volume covers the battle from `muzzle to buttplate. The old myths and legends that have come down through time are dispelled and this refreshing account of two armies slugging it out on a small battlefield in the middle of the sparsely-settled North Carolina interior presents the fighting as a minor epic; which indeed it was. Not only are the generals and other senior officers and their actions and decisions discussed; but the private soldier in the ranks; who actually wins battles; are presented in a down-to-earth and accurate presentation.Primary source research is impeccable in this volume; and the secondary accounts that are used were chosen with care. This is definitely the best-researched account of the action also. This new work surpasses these former studies as a model of in-depth historical research; clearly demonstrating that the authors are not only at home with their subject; but they show an understanding of historical research and presentation that is rare in the study of military history.While this book can be classed as an `academic study' it reads as a popular account and contrary to many academic studies; the authors do not ignore the necessary `marching and killing' that is the core of military history. Too many `military historians' today tend to discount the men who actually did the fighting; and in stead concentrate on social or political issues and leave the nuts and bolts of fighting to someone else to discuss. Not so here-the authors discuss the ordinary man in the ranks and what he did or failed to do. The authors clearly demonstrate a grasp of period tactics of the period; and clearly understand the use of good maps in a battle study. The three appendices are dedicated to orders of battle; unit strengths; and battle casualties. The bibliography is a model for further study; and this volume is also an excellent reference work on its own merit.This book is enthusiastically recommended for any student of the period; the war in the south during the War of the Revolution; and for any student of Greene's campaigns against the British in the Carolinas in 1780-1781.
