Award for Excellence--North Carolina Genealogical Society Civil War histories typically center on the deeds of generals and sweeping depictions of battle. This unique study of one Southern county's war experience tells of ordinary soldiers and their wives; mothers and children; slaves; farmers; merchants; Unionists and deserters--through an examination of tax records. The recently discovered 1863 Gaston County; North Carolina; tax list provides a detailed economic and social picture of a war-weary community; recording what taxpayers owned; cataloging slaves by name; age and monetary value; and assessing luxury items. Contemporary diaries; letters and other previously unpublished documents complete the picture; describing cotton mill operations; the lives of slaves; political disagreements; rationales for soldiers' enlistments and desertions; and economic struggles on the home front.
#64685 in Books 2017-09-19 2017-09-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.63 x .20 x 7.19l; .0 #File Name: 147281946264 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A blood-dimmed tide...By HMS WarspiteWe've all seen the black and whites pictures from the D-Day beaches. They show anonymous men in U.S.; British; and Canadian uniforms; struggling ashore while encumbered with various items of gear. Author Gordon Rottman brings some retrospective clarity to these pictures with his latest book."D-Day Beach Assault Troops" is an Osprey Elite Series book. In a concise 64-page format; the author introduces the reader to the situation of D-Day; quickly sketches beach assault unit preparations; and proceeds to describe the various units in terms of their weapons and equipment. Form followed function; and various units had their particular items to wear and carry. There are lots of fascinating details here; including about the wearing of life preservers and the option of web gear and packs versus combat vests.The book has a surprising amount of detail for its short length. The text is nicely supported by a terrific selection of period black and white photographs; along with some modern illustrations by Peter Dennis. The author's comments about the continuing analysis of the D-Day casualty lists was especially interesting to this reader. The book is highly recommended to the general reader and to the student of the Second World War.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must have for D-Day aficionados....By Stuart M. KohnAnother five star effort by Rottman. One the best authors in Osprey's stable. This well written book gives an excellent overview of the US; British and Canadian beach assault forces that participated in the first waves on D-Day that includes details on how they were organized; trained and equipped -- detail not found in many places. Like all Osprey's it's concise; but this one manages to provide a great bit of detail nonetheless. A great supplement to Jonathan Gwane's SPEARHEADING D-DAY. aficionados0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy R. P. MyersTypically good Osprey book.
