Emilie Davis was a free African American woman who lived in Philadelphia during the Civil War. She worked as a seamstress; attended the Institute for Colored Youth; and was an active member of her community. She lived an average life in her day; but what sets her apart is that she kept a diary. Her daily entries from 1863 to 1865 touch on the momentous and the mundane: she discusses her own and her community’s reactions to events of the war; such as the Battle of Gettysburg; the Emancipation Proclamation; and the assassination of President Lincoln; as well as the minutiae of social life in Philadelphia’s black community. Her diaries allow the reader to experience the Civil War in “real time†and are a counterpoint to more widely known diaries of the period. Judith Giesberg has written an accessible introduction; situating Davis and her diaries within the historical; cultural; and political context of wartime Philadelphia. In addition to furnishing a new window through which to view the war’s major events; Davis’s diaries give us a rare look at how the war was experienced as a part of everyday life—how its dramatic turns and lulls and its pervasive; agonizing uncertainty affected a northern city with a vibrant black community.
#2561540 in Books 2002-01-28Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.22 x 6.00l; 1.72 #File Name: 0271021667400 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Steve BishBy SteveI have to admit I have a fascination with the Civil War but my reason for buying this particular book has a special meaning. The Bloody Eleventh was famous for being involved in most of the major battles during the war and seemed to always be in the middle of the fighting. Thus their nick name "The Bloody Eleventh". Also my Great Uncle Elijah Bish enlisted into the Bloody Eleventh at the start of the war and was discharged from the unit at the end of the war---minus three toes on his right foot and is quoted and mentioned several places in the book. I thought it was unique that both my Great Uncle and myself were mentioned in books about the wars we fought in. My war was Vietnam fighting with the Marines. I'm mentioned in several places in a book about Marines titled "American Heroes; Grunts; Pilots Docs" Book II by Dan Kellum. Both books are personal accounts of who the men doing the fighting were and what they did under the most difficult circumstances of war. Great reading.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book detailing the experiences of a great generation of fighting men.By James A HebrankExcellent book. I enjoyed reading about the experiences of the 11th Pa. Reserve Regiment. My Great Great Grandfather was a member of this regiment (Company H from Westmoreland county; Pa.) and I feel a deep connection to the men who served in this tragic war through him.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Tremendous account of unsung regimentBy David R. ExumWithout a doubt; "Three Years in the Bloody Eleventh: The Campaigns of a Pennsylvania Reserves Regiment" by Joseph Gibbs is arguably one of the finest books recently published about the Civil War. Gibbs' work not only takes the reader directly into numerous conflicts the Bloody Eleventh endured; he explains with thorough and exhaustive research the life of some of the bravest and finest soldiers that fought against the Confederacy. Gibbs' work pulls no punches and his facts are clearly presented with tremendous footnotes; maps and photos. This book belongs on the shelf right next to "Black Hawk Down". Yes; it's that good. I read "Black Hawk Down" recently and while reading Gibbs' book I noticed how both Gibbs and Mark Bowden are able transport the reader to the battle field with relative ease. Civil War reading doesn't get any better than this.
