On August 5, 1864, the Civil War arrived at Mobile's doorstep. The Union navy blockaded Mobile Bay and the city for eight months. Confederate general Dabney Maury fought to protect the city and its citizens who refused to leave, such as Octavia LeVert and Augusta Evans. Union admiral Farragut and General Canby slowly starved the city, knowing that the fall of Mobile could end the war. Author Paula Webb details the experiences of the ordeal and the defeat of a Confederate city that echoed through the entire country.
An engaging local history read. I was given this book because my husband’s Great Great Great Grandfather Joseph Bloch has some passages. I’ve never read a book from the southern succession perspective before. It’s grounded in the city folk’s experiences and articles from one of the city newspapers, and keeps the military maneuvers blessedly short. (I’d need a lot more maps to understand where all these boats were stationed). Good read.