By Stephen V. Ash When the Yankees Came: Conflict and Chaos in the Occupied South, 1861-1865 (Civil War America) [Paperback]

Civil War America

by Stephen V. Ash

Southerners whose communities were invaded by the Union army during the Civil War endured a profoundly painful ordeal. For most, the coming of the Yankees was a nightmare become real; for some, it was the answer to a prayer. But as Stephen Ash argues, for all, invasion and occupation were essential parts of the experience of defeat that helped shape the southern postwar mentality.When the Yankees Came is the first comprehensive study of the occupied South, bringing to light a wealth of new information about the southern home front. Among the intriguing topics Ash explores are guerrilla warfare and other forms of civilian resistance; the evolution of Union occupation policy from leniency to repression; the impact of occupation on families, churches, and local government; and conflicts between southern aristocrats and poor whites. In analyzing these topics, Ash examines events from the perspective not only of southerners but also of the northern invaders, and he shows how the experiences of southerners differed according to their distance from a garrisoned town.

Genres: Civil War, History, American History, War

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Deborah H. Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

This is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read on how people in the Confederate States of America experienced the Civil War. It's chocked full of primary sources, easy to read, and goes a long way toward helping young Southerners understand our people even now. We've progressed in many ways but, in others, not so much. The South is complicated.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still reading for comps…

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ash is rather ambitious in terms of the scope of this work. What could have easily been three separate books is presented in a single condensed, albeit convincing, volume.