In 1845; sparsely populated Florida had been admitted to the United States along with Iowa in an ill-fated attempt to keep the balance between slave and free states and ultimately avert the civil war that many felt was on the horizon. When hostilities began in 1861; Florida's Pensacola Bay area with its magnificent harbor; valuable navy yard and impressive fortifications became hotly contested by Union and Confederate forces. While Pensacola's lack of navigable rivers and limited rail access had kept it from developing into one of the country's major commercial centers; its location provided the perfect base for hostile strikes on nearby Mobile and New Orleans. Focusing on the town of Pensacola and the small residential villages of Warrington and Woolsey; this volume details the events which took place in and around Pensacola Bay immediately before and in the early months of the Civil War. It takes a look at the various people involved and how their personalities and attributes shaped the course of events. The work presents happenings from a contemporary viewpoint rather than how they were reported and retold at a later time. More than 70 period photographs and illustrations complete the depiction of events.
#3388942 in Books 2011-10-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.90 x .90 x 6.90l; 1.00 #File Name: 0786466359286 pages
Review
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. "Since this is a modern regimental...."By Sherman PeabodyJohn Zinn has produced a readable and useful history of a New Jersey regiment that was raised during the 1863 draft riots; was sent to the front under guard; served in the Eleventh and Twentieth Corps in Sherman's army; and marched to the sea. The title refers to one quarter of the men deserting the unit; mostly while the regiment was being organized in New Jersey. State and local bounties being paid in full led to a rash of bounty jumpers and the 33rd suffered greatly from them. However; Zinn would rather deal with the men who served; rather than those who deserted; and so focuses on the unit's military career: Missionary Ridge; the Atlanta Campaign (the 33rd suffered the highest casualties of any Federal unit at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek); and the March to the Sea and the Carolinas. Zinn generally writes well and has discovered a trove of letters and diaries to flesh out his text. There are campaign maps; but no battle maps. The text is liberally illustrated with clear photos of the officers and some enlisted men. The 33rd started as a Zouave unit with a unique uniform that was worn through the Atlanta Campaign. He does not include any post-war biographical information and I was left asking what happened to his major characters. His notable manner of writing is to begin too many of his sentences with "Since...." Since this happens in most paragraphs; it is very distracting. Since no editor caught this mannerism; perhaps the reader could turn it into a drinking game: drink a sip of your favorite libation each time you read it. You wouldn't get very far. Overall; though; this is a fine book about an interesting unit and Zinn should be commended for its publication.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... it very interesting John G Zin has done a wonderful job researching this unit raised during the civil war ...By CustomerI followed the 33rd Regiment though it campain against slavery and found it very interesting John G Zin has done a wonderful job researching this unit raised during the civil war and has put into words their experience in a war against neibours living in the same country. well done to all concearned.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Justin's Great Review of the 33rd New Jersey Civil War book witten by John G. ZinnBy A CustomerJust really enjoy it so far. I really enjoy reading books about the Civil War! I have a Civil War Ancestor on my Mom's side that was in the 33rd New Jersey and had to just get it! The length of time I got it was great thanks! :)
