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Hero? Traitor? It all depends on which side of the fence you were standing. Col. Don Steenburn, U.S.Army retired, has put together a fascinating study of one of the most controversial characters in Madison County and Northern Alabama history- determined and gutsy Frank Ballou Gurley of the 4th Alabama, Confederate States of America.
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On February 21, 1864, Confederate and Union forces faced off over the banks of the Chuquatonchee Creek on Ellis Bridge in West Point, Mississippi. This three-hour battle pitted Nathan Bedford Forrest with his small but mighty cavalry against William Sooy Smith and his dogged Federal troops as they attempted to push through the prairie and destroy the railroad junction in Meridian. Smith's men did not succeed in their mission and suffered heavy casualties at the hands of Forrest in a precursor to the Battle of Okolona. Author John McBryde details the nuances of the battle that initiated Rebel opposition to the Meridian Campaign, including accounts from West Point locals of the time.
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In late November 1864, the Army of Tennessee started out from northern Alabama with dreams of capturing Nashville and marching on to the Ohio River. In a desperate attempt to smash John Schofield's line at Franklin, Hood threw most of his men against the Union works and lost 30 percent of his attacking force in one afternoon. Local historian James R. Knight paints a vivid picture of this gruesome conflict.
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The Chancellorsville Campaign was the true high water mark for both the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac. The campaign would be the Confederates' greatest battle, though it came at the cost of losing General Stonewall Jackson. Although the Confederacy prevailed at Chancellorsville, Hooker used the defeat to institute a multitude of reforms, which paved the way for the hard-fought victory at Gettysburg.
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The Battle of Fort Donelson was the first major victory for Federal forces and the first decisive battle in the vital area from the Appalachians to the Mississippi. It gave the Federals control of both the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers; led directly to the fall of the first Confederate capital at Nashville and the Battle of Shiloh, and was the beginning of the fame and/or infamy of several Civil War generals, including U.S. Grant, N. B. Forrest, Gideon Pillow and John B. Floyd. It also resulted in the first surrender of an army by a Confederate general, and the largest capture of enemy troops in American history, up to that time.
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In February 1864, over seven thousand Union cavalry troops led by Gen. William Sooy Smith started a raid into the Mississippi Prairie to bring destruction to one of the few breadbaskets remaining in the South. Both Smith and Gen. Sherman intended to burn everything in their path. But neither reckoned with Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest's small Confederate cavalry forced defeated Smith in a running battle that stretched from West Point to Okolona and beyond. Forrest's victory prevented Smith from joining Sherman and saved the Prairie from total destruction.
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Midway between Memphis and New Orleans along the Mississippi River, Vicksburg was essential to both Confederate and Union campaigns. General Ulysses S. Grant began his campaign on the city in November 1862, but he was forced to abandon the operation in December when the fiery General Earl Van Dorn made a daring raid on Grant’s main supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi. With the help of the CSS Arkansas, Van Dorn’s single day raid on Grant’s supply base saved Vicksburg from Grant’s forces for an entire year.
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Sent to the United States as a war correspondent for the Illustrated London News, Frank Vizetelly quickly found himself in hot water with the Federal secretary of war when his depictions of Bull Run hit the papers. He was forbidden access to the Union army, so he took up with the Confederates instead, covering the Civil War from Charleston to the Mississippi and north to Virginia.His articles and sketches shaped the views of the English regarding the war.
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During the fateful winter and spring of 1865, thousands of civilians in South Carolina, young and old, black and white, felt the impact of what General William T. Sherman called "the hard hand of war.” This book tells their stories, many of which were corroborated by the testimony of Sherman’s own soldiers and officers, and other eyewitnesses. These historical narratives are taken from letters and diaries of the time, as well as newspaper accounts and memoirs.
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The Civil War was trying, bloody, and hard-fought combat for both sides. What was it, then, that sustained soldiers low on supplies and morale? For the Army of Tennessee, it was religion. “Onward Southern Soldiers" explores the significant impact of religion on every rank, from generals to chaplains to common soldiers. Religion unified troops, informing both why and how they fought, and providing the rationale for enduring great hardship for the Confederate cause.
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Everything (well, almost everything) you know about American History is WRONG because most textbooks and popular history books are written by left-wing academic historians who treat their biases as fact. But fear not: Professor Thomas Woods has the perfect antidote. This delightful book – funny and inviting, but factual, shatters the myths about American history and separates fact from fiction. The P. I. G. of American History will give you all the information you need to battle and confront left-wing professors, neighbors and friends.
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One of Savannah, Georgia's closest calls to total disaster happened with the arrival of Wm. T. Sherman and sixty-two thousand Union Troops. This fifty-three-day heart-pounding, nail-biting, hair-raising horror story of her onion-skin-thin bare survival centers on the central question: who REALLY saved Savannah?
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Decisively refuting all the old slanders, the authors give us back the real Davis-a patriotic soldier, a reluctant secessionist, the model of a Christian gentleman, and an inspiration to all Americans, North and South. Thomas Fleming, editor chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture Jefferson Davis, captured, imprisoned, and charged with 1) conspiracy and culpability in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln; 2) conspiracy to cause the deaths of Northern P.O.W.'s at Andersonville, Georgia, a detention c& 3) participating in and attempting to assist in the growth of the system of slavery; and 4) treason against the United States of America, was never afforded his constitutional right to a trial.
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This book forcefully sets Jesse James in the context of his times, firmly identifying him as a violent & effective Confederate partisan. The author’s descriptions of the events leading up to the war in the West & the complex political struggle after the war are clear & vivid. Few books profoundly change our understanding of a famous figure in American history – this book is one of them.
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Marse Bradford Harrison, of St. Michaels, MD, gave 4 year old Eliza Ann Benson to his new born daughter, Braddie, in 1841. Eliza would be a slave to her infant owner in Harrison’s way of thinking. But a friendship began & a promise was made. Eliza stayed with Braddie through Braddie’s married life, which included the War Between the States & its aftermath; and when Braddie & her husband died leaving a family full of children & no one to rear them, there was one more promise that Eliza wanted to keep. Eliza’s down-home philosophy, loyalty, fortitude and love positively impacted Miss Braddie & 3 generations thereafter.
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Black Flag reveals war at its very worst, told in the words of participants themselves. From the shocking, sensational massacres at Lawrence, Baxter Springs and Centralia to the silent terror of the women at home alone in the "burnt district", Black Flag is a horrifying day to day account of life, death and war, told with unforgettable immediacy.
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Christmas memories abound, but of them all the old carols truly capture the special spirit of the day. In this graceful collection of much loved songs of the season, Jim Gibson shares his special, easy touch. Perhaps this recording will help you find the quiet place where the real spirit of Christmas lives. Includes: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, O Christmas Tree, The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful and 9 other pleasant melodies.
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One of Ross Moore's latest offerings is a Celtic journey, with rich vocals and unforgettable melodies, including acoustic instruments such as the Celtic harp, pennywhistle, Irish concertina, hammered dulcimer, Uilleann pipes, bagpipes, banjo, mandolin, piano and both flat picked and finger style guitar.
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Another great music collection by Ross. Includes many traditional songs like "Down in the Valley", "Uncle Joe", "The Girl I Left Behind Me" and "Arkansas Traveler" along with many of Ross Moore originals that include "Prettiest Belle at the Ball", "Ghost River", "South Carolina Shuffle" and the beautiful "Sweet Magnolia Waltz" featuring Ross on the Celtic Harp. This CD is Dedicated to: The Gentlemen and Ladies who perpetuate and hold dear the social graces and values of the Old South.
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T-Shirt features beautiful Elm Springs, Headquarters of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, on the front pocket & the classic waving flag image of our Logo tees. This style is available for those who support the SCV's cause but are ineligible for Membership; Friends of the SCV, UDC, OCR or anyone who wishes to support our cause! Only available in Gray.