A compelling secret history of the Civil War. March 5, 1864, was the day the Civil War changed, to become what the Richmond Examiner called "a war of extermination, of indiscriminate slaughter and plunder." It changed because of a few sheets of paper found on a muddy trail outside of Richmond. Their legacy was a new and terrible style of warfare. This book describes a daring cavalry raid that failed. The consequences included terrorism directed against civilians in the North in the form of guerrilla raids, bank robberies, ...
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A compelling secret history of the Civil War. March 5, 1864, was the day the Civil War changed, to become what the Richmond Examiner called "a war of extermination, of indiscriminate slaughter and plunder." It changed because of a few sheets of paper found on a muddy trail outside of Richmond. Their legacy was a new and terrible style of warfare. This book describes a daring cavalry raid that failed. The consequences included terrorism directed against civilians in the North in the form of guerrilla raids, bank robberies, arson, sabotage, and biological warfare. It also tells the story of desperate measures taken by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, both in danger of losing the war-one at the ballot box, the other on the battlefield. The primary actors in this intrigue include: Ulric Dahlgren, a 21-year-old, one-legged Yankee colonel, hero, and friend of the president who is accused of planning to assassinate Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Thomas Hines, a 23-year-old classical scholar who organizes the campaign of terror from Maine to Minnesota as revenge for the alleged Union plan to murder Jefferson Davis. Elizabeth Van Lew, a well-bred, middle-aged Richmond woman who spied for the Union and was called by Grant the most effective Union operative of the war. This is the first full-length presentation and analysis of the link between Dahlgren's failed raid and the Confederate campaign of terror. The author offers a broad range of evidence that the Dahlgren papers were forged. The Confederacy was losing the Civil War, but Lincoln's opponent in the election of 1864, McClellan, would very likely negotiate a peace with the South. It was imperative, therefore, that the South weaken Lincoln's hold on the electorate, and if no opportunity arose, then one must be manufactured. This would be their last chance of survival.
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Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Like New dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Stated first edition with full number line, text and pages unmarked, binding tight, not price clipped, cover has slight rubbing on edges and at corners,
Late in the winter of 1863-64, Union cavalry under the command of Judson Kilpatrick raided into Richmond, Virginia. Their mission, approved by President Lincoln, was to free Union POWs held at the Belle Isle and Libby Prisons. The mission was a failure, and a column of the attacking force under command of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was caught and severely mauled by the Confederates; Dahlgren was killed. Confederates found papers on Dahlgren's body indicating that his true mission was to burn Richmond, and kill Jefferson Davis and any members of the Confederate government he could find. Union leaders vehemently denied this allegation; the South was outraged. Shultz believes this incident lead to a hardening of the war, and may have spurred Confederate covert operations, including a plot to kidnap or assassinate President Lincoln. Entertaining, if not totally persuasive.
