After five years of research; Todd Mealy has provided a monographic perception of the Antislavery Movement. By focusing on the struggles between antislavery and proslavery residents of Harrisburg during the first half of the 19th century; Mealy shows that Pennsylvania’s capital city was just as important in the movement against slavery as some of the larger; more documented cities like Philadelphia; New York; and Boston. Invaluable for its sources and sweeping account of a single city; this interpretation of antislavery provides a unique look at the partnership between white and black abolitionists; and how we survey the Underground Railroad all together.
#2946259 in Books BookSurge Publishing 2008-04-21 2008-04-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .88 x 6.00l; 1.15 #File Name: 1419689185390 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderfully vivid recollection of a Michigan cavalry sergeantBy Tom BetzThis is a wonderfully vivid recollection of a 6th Michigan Cavalryman's journey from Grand Rapids; MIch.; to his untimely death at Falling Waters; W. Va.; in 1863. The story is written by the descendant of George Thomas Patten using his journal and historical records from many sources.The story brings a human element into the stark reality of the Civil War and the fighting in the Gettysburg Campaign in the summer of 1863. The author did a wonderful job of weaving the recollections of his relative into the thread of the history of the events surrounding the Union cavalry actions that have been much overlooked as an important part of the three-day battle at Gettysburg; Pa.; July 1-3; 1863.As one who has been researching the cavalry actions of the Civil War this book was a great reminder of the changing world of the mounted soldier and how the Confederacy and the Union forces evolved throughout the war to find themselves facing each other many times and on many battlefields.My family has a personal connection with my mother's family coming from Grandville; Mich.; a suburb of Grand Rapids. It was with that in mind I read the deeds of those who came from Kent County and rode into history with their young general George A. Custer.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Could've been moreBy fatnfrumpyWas less about Michigan Cavalry and more about a family member who was an officer; not about the story of the everyday patriot privates who were fighting in order to have money to send to their families who were starving on their land grant farms ceded back to the government after the logging industry spoiled the lands by leaving huge tree trunks; rendering them very difficult to plow and plant..3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Oh! Needs An EditorBy Lowell WhiteI bought this book directly from the author. He had set up a booth at the 2009 Jackson MI Civil War reenactment. I chatted with the author who seemed nice enough. He had written a book based on letters written by his ancestor Sgt. George T Patten who served in the 6th Michigan Cavalry. As Michigan in the Civil War is one of my main interests;I bought the book and I eagerly started reading as soon as I arrived home. The book turned out to be a confusing mixture of historical fiction and an account of the Gettysburg Campaign. Neither approach works. The imagined conversations do not ring true. The historical account bounces around and contains information not related to Michigan Cavalry Brigade.(Such as an account of Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine on Little Round Top.) Mr. Hamilton states more than once that 51;000 were killed on both sides at Gettysburg. Total CASUALTIES of killed; wounded and captured were about 51;000. The number of killed at Gettysburg will never be known but estimates range between 6;000 and 8;000. The maps are OK and were obtained from the National Park Service. The photos are a mixed bag. I liked the photos of the flags carried by the Michigan Brigade. However; the same photo of Sgt. Patten is placed on four different pages. There are also four photos of Gen. Custer; three of Gen. Kilpatrick; three of Maj. Weber; and multiple photos of others as well. I have never seen this in a book before. Toward the back of the book there is a list of the officers of the 6th MI Cavalry totaling 71 pages. It appears this was added simply to lengthen the book. With proper editing and a complete rewrite; this could be an adequate article for a magazine such as Civil War Times. This is a disappointment as a book. I would only buy this if it was in the bargain bin.
