Benjamin Forsythe Buckner (1836–1901) faced a dire choice as the flames of Civil War threatened his native Kentucky. As an ambitious Bluegrass aristocrat; he was sympathetic to fellow slave owners; but was also convinced that the Peculiar Institution could not survive a war for Southern independence. Defying the wishes of his Rebel fiancée and her powerful family―yet still hoping to impress them with his resolve; independence; and courage―Buckner joined the Twentieth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in 1861 as a Union soldier. President Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 ultimately destroyed Buckner's faith in his cause; however; and he resigned his commission. In For Slavery and Union; Patrick A. Lewis uses Benjamin Buckner's story to illuminate the origins and perspectives of Kentucky's conservative proslavery Unionists; and explain why this group eventually became a key force in repressing social and political change during the Reconstruction era and beyond. Free from the constraints and restrictions imposed on the former Confederate states; men like Buckner joined with other proslavery forces to work in the interest of the New South's brand of economic growth and racial control.Other studies have explored how Kentucky cultivated a Confederate identity after the Civil War; but For Slavery and Union is the first major work to personify this transformation. Lewis's important book transcends biography to provide a deeply nuanced look at the history of the commonwealth in the nineteenth century and the development of the New South.
#2406302 in Books The University Press of Kentucky 2000-08-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .55 x 5.98l; .80 #File Name: 0813109795248 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Very Charming and Interesting AnthologyBy 5/0"The Ohio Frontier: An Anthology of Early Writings" edited by Emily Foster. History is always at its' best when you get to hear from EVERYONE involved; not just the "winners" or the politicians or priests or pundits. One of the elements that make this book so entertaining is the variety of viewpoints the Editor has selected to present the reader. Ms. Foster brings forth the voices of settlers; evangelizers; military men; Indians; women; slaves and freedmen; captives; children; rich; poor; "travelers"; and a raft of nationalities. Almost all the entries are brief - usually in the form of letters or private journal entries and thus the reader can sorta "sip" at the book; taking time to enjoy this or that story or view or experience however they are inclined. Yet the Editor's choice of writings lets the reader amble along Ohio's frontier paths taking in tastes of the changes from Indian relations to the loneliness and sometimes fear of settler life to the canals to the missionaries to the immigrants from the Atlantic coast or those straight from Europe to the arrivals of the miracles of steam power and then the Iron Horse. By the time the reader gets through all the sex; missionaries; warfare; whiskey; comedy; trees; hardship; pestilence; intrigues; revivals; geography; storms; ethnicity; catastrophes; personal dramas; bad roads; bears; wolves; raccoons; and passenger pigeons the reader will have to conclude that the Ohio Frontier was indeed full of something or other every blessed day.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Insight into Ohio pioneer livesBy CustomerGood collection of early Ohio writings that give some insight to the lives of Ohio's pioneer settlers.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. a step back into historyBy Thomas P. McauliffeThis book is hard to describe but an anthology; like the title says; is a good start.It is a good book to read to get an authentic perspective of the frontier history of this important state;sure; it has some boring moments; but a complete read gives you a good feel for the times and history of the Ohio frontier.It almost puts you there at the time of all these goings on.Like I said; some boring; but; also quite a bit interesting at the same time.
