More Terrible Than Victory: North Carolina's Bloody Bethel Regiment, 1861-65

First, a disclaimer. I am biased as a decendant of an 11th NC Sergeant. So even though I give it 5 stars, objectively, one probably needs to take a star off for an obvious prejudice. However, that being said there are some aspects of the Civil War that Mr. Schapman touches on that I have not seen written as well in other Civil War books. I found that the information about how promotions got clogged up at the CSA officer level to be a "new" Civil War fact for me. Also, the Seige in Petersburg is often written as one monolithic event with minor paragraphs assigned to the various flanking manuveurs, attacks and counterattacks. Schapman does a detailed job in explaining these actions (or more specifically, the ones in which the 11th took part) in terms of the tactics, terrain and objectives. You really get a better sense of the Petersberg campaign in learning the details of Globe Tavern, Jones Farm, Burgess Mill and Hatcher's Run.

The book is well written, and quite informative. It is about North Carolina's most famous regiment in the Civil War. While this might seem like a book of narrow appeal, it offers a great deal about how the war was conducted and should be of interest to any Civil War buff. I bought the book because I had an ancestor that served in it. I learned far more than I had expected. As a former Infantry Officer and a Physician, I was also interested in tactics, morale, supply, casualties and their handling, intelligence and care of the soldier from recriutment to the end (whether death or discharge). I found all of these and much more! The battles are well described, as well. Expecting a regimental history, I found a greater comprehension of life in the South during the War, it's politics, it's problems and their solutions, and a great military overview of many areas. If you liked Gone With the Wind, or Cold Mountain, or Shelby Foote's volumes on the history, you will get some of each here. I highly recommend this surprising book to anyone interested in the Civil War.

A must-have book for anyone with ancestors who fought in this unit, the reporting is both academically complete and personal.

While researching my genealogy last summer I came across this book. My great grandfather was Woodson Garrett who is mentioned in this book and who served in the Bethel Regiment. I visited several of the battlefields and the descriptions of the battles here are coherent and emotionally charged. Highly recommended.

Craig Chapman's book struck a chord here. As one who is very much interested in Gettysburg, and the Overland Campaign of 1864, I am glad I found this jewel of a book. The author writes the story very well, and the research that he has done is exceptional in this tale of the boys from the Tarheel state.This regiment is not as well known as the the 26th NC, but their trevails at Gettysburg was just as horrible. It also illustrates how they were used in the Overland Campaign...and the perils and suffering that they went through in 1864.I heartily recommend the book, and can confidently say if you read it, it will be tough to put down.