The 18th North Carolina Regiment has the dubious distinction of firing the volley at Chancellorsville; Virginia; that mortally wounded General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. This tragic accident has overshadowed the regiment's otherwise valiant service during the Civil War. One of Robert E. Lee's "fighting regiments;" the 18th North Carolina was a part of two famous Confederate military machines; A.P. Hill's Light Division and Jackson's foot cavalry. This revealing history chronicles the regiment's exploits from its origins through combat with the Army of Northern Virginia at Hanover Court House; the Seven Days' Battles; Cold Harbor; Petersburg; and other battles to its surrender at Appomattox Court House as a battered; much smaller shell of its former self. A roster of those surrendering officers and enlisted men and brief biographical sketches of those who fought with the regiment for most of the war complete this enlightening account.
#2455375 in Books 2010-09-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.80 x .70 x 7.00l; 1.00 #File Name: 0786434384259 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The 58th N.C. Book ReviewBy BigTI could appreciate the in depth research done by the author and those that assisted him. However some of the back and forth between the troops home and the Confederate Army was hard to follow at times. As a result there were many sections in the book that were not smooth in the transition from one section/chapter to another. As I live in North Carolina; I am interested in any Civil War information; books; stories about my home state. I thought overall this book was a pretty good read. The battle description I thought were as informative as possible based on what records and info was available. I cannot imagine how difficult that was. I recently toured the Bentonville Battleground in Bentonville; NC which was the last major battle of the war and the last battle the 58th was involved in and written about in the book. The information in the book matched up exactly to what actually took place in that battle. All in all I would recommend this book as a Civil War read and especially for those interested in the war that occurred in the mountain area of N.C; Tennessee and northern Georgia as well as which units were involved.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Finally a worthy comprensive work on the 58th NCBy J. Keith JonesThe Fifty-Eighth North Carolina Troops works hard to fill the gaps in the records of this reluctant regiment. Michael C. Hardy does yeoman’s work in assembling the scattered information into a cohesive regimental history. Unlike some unit histories; Hardy’s book provides more than dry encyclopedic facts. Instead he ties the detailed look at this intriguing infantry regiment into an entertaining narrative that takes you from the beginning of the war to the end; then on through the remainder of the lives of its soldiers eventually providing a study of their legacy and impact on Western North Carolina.Filled with pictures and maps; this book provides more than just troop movements and battle reports. It makes a personal connection with the men who served from the top officers down to the individual privates. Gathered from newspapers; letters; diaries and other assorted personal reflections; Hardy adds flesh to the vast gaps in the official Confederate records of the Fifty-Eighth’s service in the Army of Tennessee.While being one of the largest regiments from North Carolina; the Fifty-Eighth was largely constructed from conscripts. These were men whose decision to serve was forced on them. Sometimes at the point of a bayonet. Despite reluctance and a higher than normal desertion rate; the Fifty-Eighth was an important regiment that played a pivotal role in many of the campaigns in which they participated.The Fifty-Eighth North Carolina Troops: Tar Heels in the Army of Tennessee is a well written and thoroughly researched book. It deserves a place amongst the collection of anybody wishing to learn more about North Carolina or the Army of Tennessee during the War for Southern Independence. Michael C. Hardy illustrates starkly the qualities which have won him multiple awards for his work.J. Keith JonesAuthor of "The Boys of Diamond Hill"
