John Douglas Ashton

William Barksdale, CSA

A Biography of the United States Congressman and Confederate Brigadier General

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

An aggressive and colorful personality, William Barksdale was no stranger to controversy. Orphaned at 13, he succeeded as lawyer, newspaper editor, Mexican War veteran, politician and Confederate commander. During eight years in the U.S. Congress, he was among the South's most ardent defenders of slavery and advocates for states' rights. His emotional speeches and altercations--including a brawl on the House floor--made headlines in the years preceding secession. His fiery temper prompted three near-duels, gaining him a reputation as a brawler and knife-fighter. Arrested for intoxication, Colonel Barksdale survived a military Court of Inquiry to become one of the most beloved commanders in the Army of Northern Virginia. His reputation soared with his defense against the Union river crossing and street-fighting at Fredericksburg, and his legendary charge at Gettysburg. This first full-length biography places his life and career in historical context.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: McFarland
• Seitenzahl: 308
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. März 2021
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 254mm x 178mm x 17mm
• Gewicht: 583g
• ISBN-13: 9781476683744
• ISBN-10: 1476683743
• Artikelnr.: 64195848

Autorenporträt

John Douglas Ashton is a retired materials testing executive and distinguished metallurgist. A founding member and later Chairman of the Southern Ontario Civil War Roundtable, he has traveled to all of the major battlefields where Barksdale's Mississippians fought to gain further insights.

Inhaltsangabe

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Prologue: Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, 7:30 p.m., West of Plum Run Swale
One-Beginnings
Two-Mississippi: Land of Opportunity
Three-Military Service in Mexico: Disease, Deprivation and Death
Four-Barksdale Secures His Political Future
Five-Turbulent Times in Washington City
Six-Epithets, Fisticuffs and the Downward Spiral to Secession
Seven-From Quartermaster General to a Combat Command at First Manassas
Eight-Charges of Drunkenness, Redemption at Edwards Ferry and a Court of
Inquiry
Nine-The Seven Days Battles: Barksdale Commands the Mississippi Brigade
Ten-Malvern Hill: Barksdale Exhibits the Highest Qualities of the Soldier
Eleven-Harpers Ferry and Sharpsburg: Brigadier General Barksdale Front and
Center
Twelve-Fredericksburg: Dead Yankees on the Pontoon Bridges and in the
Streets
Thirteen-Second Fredericksburg (Chancellorsville): "We must make the fight
whether we hold it or are whipped"
Fourteen-Gettysburg: A Grim Determination to Do or Die
Fifteen-Barksdale's Death, Burials, State Funeral and Legacy
Appendix: Previously Unpublished/Published Material Concerning William
Barksdale
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index