Civil War in North Carolina

As explained in the title, this book details the role of North Carolina in the Civil War. This 1963 volume explains in great detail why North Carolina was important, how it was invaded early in the war by General Burnside and the importance of his base of operations in New Bern. Next, Barrett effectively describes the stalemate in the state before the exciting Battle of Fort Fisher, which eventually causes the collapse of the state. In the description of that battle, Barrett is at his best as a writer, particularly in describing the desperate struggle the Confederates put up (including hand to hand fighting in the sand dunes of the Atlantic Coast). The last chapters describe, in breathless and detailed fashion, the Battle of Bentonville, the conquest of Raleigh, the raids on the mountains and the final surrender of the Confederacy. Note: If you are looking for a collection of NC unit movements or regimental history summaries, this isn't it. This is a geographical account of what happened in the state. As a North Carolina history teacher, I look forward to using this volume. It was a wonderful read.

Major armies on historical fields of battle did not fight this war. The men who served in North Carolina endured hard work, bad food, sickness and death in trying to accumulate small advantages that would improve or maintain their side's position. Only in 1862 and 1864 was this theater in the spotlight. For most of the war, raids skirmishes and garrison duty is the business of the day. North Carolina was not a fire-eater state and one of the last to join the Confederacy. Once in, she threw her support to the cause making a major contribution, bearing more than her share of dead and wounded. Blessed or cursed with a large costal area, she was one of the first states to be blockaded and invaded from the sea. From 1862 on, the Union blockaded, raided, invaded or garrisoned much of her coast. Most of the military action is a history of the Union attacks and Confederate response. That military history is not the end of this book! The author presents a detailed account of the home front in a secure area. This is one of the best and most interesting parts of the book. From initial refusal to join the CSA to being a refuge for draft dodgers and deserters by the end of the war, the people had a difficult time. This is an account of the CSA that we seldom see and is badly needed. The integration of military and social history makes for a varied, intelligent comprehensive history of the war. The "problems" of Eastern Tennessee invading the western sections of the state is not often seen in histories. For the state government and the locals it was a major problem and one they lacked the means to respond to. Reading this book will help you understand just how few resources the Confederacy possessed and how many resources were required. The state by sending so much to support Lee in Virginia lacks resources to defend against the Union invasions. Better local Union leadership or allocation of more Union resources might have changed the direction of the war in the East. However, the North is as committed to fighting in Virginia as the South. This resulted in North Carolina being a secondary front and ignored for the all resources needed during most of the war. Good accounts of the battles of Monroe's Crossroads, Averasboro and Bentonville provide additional value. The author's account of Johnston's surrender and the problems it causes Sherman is balanced and fair to both parties. That a book written almost 45 years ago is still in print and being read proves its' value. Yes, some of what was accepted historical fact has been proven wrong. Yes, at times, the book may seem to favor the South but overall the account is very balanced. The major difference I find is how much Political Correctness changed our style of writing. For those that are committed to the idea of PC, the book may present a challenge to their sensibilities. This is not a page-turner, nor is it a hard read. The book is a well-written, comprehensive coverage of the subjec

Barrett writes all that happens to North Carolina in this book from Burnsides fascinating attack on Roanoke Island that is composed of the first amphibious landing and with fascinating Confederate errors to the end when Sherman slides through North Carolina shadowed by Johnson's army with Hardee, Mclaws and Bragg. In between all this are the modest attempts the Union makes to penterate the North Carolina interior particularly Washington, Plymouth and New Bern along with the numeroius attempts by Confederates to retake these towns. Even covers the number of deserters who hide in the montains and those that become "galvanized Yankees", four of which are captured and hung by Pickett. An interesting collection of Generals command in North Carolina such as Daniel Harvey Hill and George Pickett. Barrett has it all from raids to full fledged campaigns.

An excellent telling of the Civil War in North Carolina. Full of information that is difficult to find anywhere else. A good research tool and a good read. The complicated picture of North Carolina during the war is told in a detailed, interesting, and validated manner.

The history of North Carolina has always fascinated me and so has the Civil War. Wouldn't it be great if there was a book that tied the two together? Thankfully there is. "The Civil War in North Carolina" by John Barrett. While no major battles of the Civil War were fought in North Carolina, the state did see its share of skirmishes. In striking detail, this book covers the beginning of the war until it's conclusion. It's truly fascinating to read about the places and events that took place one hundred and forty years ago.The research by Barrett in constructing an acurate view of the state during the war is top notch. A lot of footnotes accompany the text. A highly recommended and worthwhile read for both Civil War and history buffs of the Tar Heel state.