Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Oxford in the Civil War (MS): Battle for a Vanquished Land

Oxford in the Civil War (MS): Battle for a Vanquished Land
By Stephen Enzweiler
List Price:  $19.99
SHNV/SWR Price:  $14.39 
http://astore.amazon.com/souhernewvie-20/detail/1596293187

Reviewed by Greg Stewart 

Oxford in the Civil War: Battle for a Vanquished Land is a unique view of Oxford and Ole Miss just as the land there was first settled by Europeans and during the War Years.  The author, Stephen Enzweiler, tells the story of the conflict through the lives of the people living there, an effective departure from simply describing battles, strategies, and troop movements in the area.

The story begins with the arrival of the 1st wave of pioneer citizens that come  mostly from the Carolinas:  the Thompson, Pegues, and Isom families.  They founded Oxford.  The second group arrived as the Cotton Boom of the 1940's and 1850's was in full tilt.  They include LQC Lamar, E.A.P Barnhard, Augustus Longstreet, and Dr. Henry Branham.  Finally, the last arrivals to Oxford, just before the War, were the students at the University , most of whom never made it back after the War.  None of the University Greys did, the storied unit mustered on campus at the start of the War.  One of them, Jeremiah Gage, purposefully stained his last letter home to his mother with blood from his mortal wound received just before the fateful charge of the Greys at Gettysburg. 

Enzweiler's skillful use of contemporary letters and correspondence is buttressed by his use of later documentation gathered by the WPA.  Former slaves from that time were interviewed (some being the same slaves owned by the masters that wrote or received the earlier letters).  Their recollections matched the owners and citizens description of an epic story of turbulent change and personal sacrifice.

The personal approach to the true story of the real people who lived through the times is a must read for any friend of Oxford, Ole Miss and history.

Oxford in the Civil War: Battle for a Vanquished Land is a unique view of Oxford and Ole Miss just as the land there was first settled by Europeans and during the War Years.  The author, Stephen Enzweiler, tells the story of the conflict through the lives of the people living there, an effective departure from simply describing battles, strategies, and troop movements in the area.

The story begins with the arrival of the 1st wave of pioneer citizens that come  mostly from the Carolinas:  the Thompson, Pegues, and Isom families.  They founded Oxford.  The second group arrived as the Cotton Boom of the 1940's and 1850's was in full tilt.  They include LQC Lamar, E.A.P Barnhard, Augustus Longstreet, and Dr. Henry Branham.  Finally, the last arrivals to Oxford, just before the War, were the students at the University , most of whom never made it back after the War.  None of the University Greys did, the storied unit mustered on campus at the start of the War.  One of them, Jeremiah Gage, purposefully stained his last letter home to his mother with blood from his mortal wound received just before the fateful charge of the Greys at Gettysburg. 

Enzweiler's skillful use of contemporary letters and correspondence is buttressed by his use of later documentation gathered by the WPA.  Former slaves from that time were interviewed (some being the same slaves owned by the masters that wrote or received the earlier letters).  Their recollections matched the owners and citizens description of an epic story of turbulent change and personal sacrifice.

The personal approach to the true story of the real people who lived through the times is a must read for any friend of Oxford, Ole Miss and history.