Silk Flags and Cold Steel: The Piedmont

by William R. Trotter

Silk Flags and Cold Steel recalls the events that took place in the Piedmont region of North Carolina between late 1860 and mid-1865. Though the skirmishes in the Piedmont were more strategic than tactical, they were important to the health of the Southern cause. As long as the railways of North Carolina were operating freely and the state's farms were producing to capacity, Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia could move, eat, fight, and replenish itself. North Carolina's relations with the Confederate government of Jefferson Davis were complex, touchy, and often antagonistic, for the state had been reluctant to secede and there was strong Unionist sentiment throughout the state. President Davis never particularly trusted North Carolina, a fact that blinded him to the state's strategic value. Paradoxically, no state contributed more to the Confederate cause in terms of manpower and resources than did North Carolina. Along with discussion of the political climate, the book presents accounts of the Salisbury prison, Sherman's march through the Carolinas, confrontations at Bentonville, Raleigh, and Greensboro, and Joe Johnston's surrender at Bennett's Farm. William R. (Bill) Trotter is an essayist, book reviewer, and author of The Civil War in North Carolina and A Frozen Hell , among other books, as well as several short stories and novellas, and has twice been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award. He wrote a monthly column called "The Desktop General" for PC Gamer magazine until 2004. He was the first recipient of the North Carolina English Teachers' Association "Lifetime Achievement Award." He lives in Greensboro, NC.

Genres: Civil War

385 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Steve Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable history of the Civil War in North Carolina. Spends a lot of time on Governor Vance and the end of the Civil War from the battle of Bentonville to the surrender of Joe Johnston and the flight of Jeff Davis through North Carolina. Also a lot of coverage of the center of Unionist sentiment around Greensboro. Illuminating discussion of the original decision to secede.

[Debora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite history book regarding NC activities in the civil war Well written with detail but not overly cumbersome.

[Greg Parrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book on the War Between the States as it affected central NC and shed light on things I never knew about what happened more that 150 years ago in my home state. Following the trail of destruction from General Sherman through Averasboro and Bentonville, to Raleigh, and eventually ending in surrender by General Johnston in Durham at the Bennett Place, is pretty cool. Learning of the Confederates burning a bridge over New Hope Creek near where I live brings this to home. I also was not aware that NC held a lot of Unionist tendencies in the beginning, but the destruction and occupation by Sherman turned that away. Jefferson Davis made some of his last decisions as CSA president while traveling through NC after escaping from the fall of Richmond. From reading this book, I learned a lot of the prominent role that NC held in doing its part for the cause.

[Charles Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of three ACW books for NC by Trotter, this volume focuses on the piedmont (central) part of the state. Apart of the Battle of Bentonville at the end, there wasn’t major field action. However, was is so interesting about this book is Governor Vance, who is one of the more fascinating and captivating governors in American history