- 408 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Winner: Richard B. Harwell Award
Of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who died in the Civil War, two-thirds, by some estimates, were felled by disease; untold others were lost to accidents, murder, suicide, sunstroke, and drowning. Meanwhile thousands of civilians in both the north and south perished—in factories, while caught up in battles near their homes, and in other circumstances associated with wartime production and supply. These “inglorious passages,” no less than the deaths of soldiers in combat, devastated the armies in the field and families and communities at home. Inglorious Passages for the first time gives these noncombat deaths due consideration.
In letters, diaries, obituaries, and other accounts, eminent Civil War historian Brian Steel Wills finds the powerful and poignant stories of fatal accidents and encounters and collateral civilian deaths that occurred in the factories and fields of the Union and the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865. Wills retrieves these stories from obscurity and the cold calculations of statistics to reveal the grave toll these losses exacted on soldiers and civilians, families and society. In its intimate details and its broad scope, his book demonstrates that for those who served and those who supported them, noncombat fatalities were as significant as battle deaths in impressing the full force of the American Civil War on the people called upon to live through it. With the publication of Inglorious Passages, those who paid the supreme sacrifice, regardless of situation or circumstance, will at last be included in the final tabulation of the nation’s bloodiest conflict.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Front Cover
- Half Title
- Series Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Table of Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Introduction: “This Inglorious Taking Off”
- 1 The First Fatalities: Death in the Early Days of the Civil War
- 2 The Battle in Camp: Death in the Soldier Encampments
- 3 “The Rhythm of the Rails”: Fatalities in Rail Transportation
- 4 Not Fooling with Mother Nature: Death from Natural Occurrences or “Acts of God”
- 5 Slipshod Soldiering: Fatal Mounted Accidents and Deaths Associated with Animals and Mascots
- 6 Not So Friendly Fire: Death at the Hands of Compatriots, by Accident, in Personal Confrontations, or in Affairs of Honor
- 7 “As Neere to Heaven by Sea”: Fatalities on the High Seas and Inland Water Courses
- 8 Industrial and Storage Mishaps: Death from Industrial or Production-Related Accidents
- 9 Collateral Casualties: Deaths of Civilians
- 10 Not Cheating the Hangman: Deaths at the Bar of Justice, for Desertion, or as Prisoners of War
- Conclusion: “There Is No Glory in It”
- Appendix: Fatal Accidents to Troops from Indiana, 1861–1865
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- Photo Gallery
- Back Cover