At the turn of the nineteenth century; James Vann; a Cherokee chief and entrepreneur; established Diamond Hill in Georgia; the most famous plantation in the southeastern Cherokee Nation. In this first full-length study to reconstruct the history of the plantation; Tiya Miles tells the story of Diamond Hill's founding; its flourishing; its takeover by white land-lottery winners on the eve of the Cherokee Removal; its decay; and ultimately its renovation in the 1950s. This moving multiracial history sheds light on the various cultural communities that interacted within the plantation boundaries--from elite Cherokee slaveholders to Cherokee subsistence farmers; from black slaves of various ethnic backgrounds to free blacks from the North and South; from German-speaking Moravian missionaries to white southern skilled laborers. Moreover; the book includes rich portraits of the women of these various communities. Vividly written and extensively researched; this history illuminates gender; class; and cross-racial relationships on the southern frontier.
#576940 in Books The University of North Caroli 2002-05-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.35 x 6.54 x 9.66l; 1.85 #File Name: 0807826871456 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A MUST BUY !!!!By jab40Earl J Hess is a very good writer; however he mainly holds to the northern side of the war. I hold and can not be moved from the southern side its a matter of blood and my true love for the south. This book holds very dear to me because it is one of the very few books that tells the story of North Carolina Troops. My great great grandfather was one Lee's tar heels John G Armstrong 52nd NC Company G and I'm proud of the stand he took. The 52nd was an awesome group of the most bravest men. They lost well over half their numbers at Gettysburg. So if you want a very well written account of those units this is the book for you. Good job to Hess.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An excellent read for any Civil War buffBy Tom FenwickAn excellent read for any Civil War buff. Hess is very knowledgeable; and a superb writer. This is a must-have book for anyone looking to read more on one of the ANV's hardest-fighting units. I would have to say that this is one of my all-time favorite reads.27 of 27 people found the following review helpful. A first-rate history of NC's most illustrious brigadeBy Chris CarterLee's Tar Heels is a superb narrative of one of North Carolina's premier brigades in the Civil War. Author Earl Hess delivers a very readable and interesting account of the brigade; which included the 11th; 26th; 44th; 47th; and 52nd NC regiments. Hess draws on a large number of period resources; including some priceless accounts from brigade members; some of whom did not survive to see the war's end.The book basically covers the entire history of the brigade; from its early days participating in the relatively small skirmishes and battles of Eastern NC; until its true baptism of fire at Gettysburg; in which it suffered appalling casualties and gained immortal glory. One thing I liked about the book is the consistency with which he covers all the regiments of the brigade; and not just the more famous 26th NC. It would be easy to have written a book on the 26th; with scant reference to the other equally deserving member regiments; but Hess never fails to present the brigade as a whole.He also tells of a number of interesting side stories; including devoting much space to the famous Moravian band which travelled with the regiment. He talks about the Quaker members of the brigade; who were caught up in a situation they hated; yet earned the sympathy of their fellow soldiers. Each aspect of the brigade history is presented in a readable way; including discussions on desertion; camp life; and politics.He also talks a great deal about the three leaders of the brigade; Pettigrew; Kirkland; and McRae. He is candid about each of their leadership styles; including any blunders they may have perpetrated; but he is quick to come to their defense when he feels it is warranted. One thing I was impressed with was the natural talent that the last commander; William McRae; exhibited. If not for the end of the war; he surely would have gone on to be a fine division commander.Hess also addresses the post-war controversy over the blame for the failure of Pickett's charge between North Carolina and Virginia. Several prominent Virginia newspapers printed accounts of the Tarheel's actions at Gettysburg that were biased and inaccurate. There is a whole chapter on "After the War"; which deals with the efforts of various members of the brigade to rectify the incorrect accusations of the Virginians; and to accord the brigade the credit it was due. He also writes about the eventual fate of many of the soldiers you come to know through the reading of the book; some of whose stories are absolutely fascinating.This brigade was present at pretty much every large battle of the ANV from Gettysburg until the end of the war; including a number of smaller engagements which are generally overlooked. It gained a reputation for hard fighting; and was often used in situations where extreme measures were called for. Hess writes about them with an obvious enthusiasm; but never loses his objectivity. I will have to admit; this is the first brigade history I have ever read; but I cannot imagine it gets much better than this. If you enjoyed the book he co-wrote on Pea Ridge; I think you will find this one just as good; maybe even better. I simply cannot recommend it highly enough.
