Germans in the Civil War

The Letters They Wrote Home

By The University of North Carolina Press | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

German Americans were one of the largest immigrant groups in the Civil War era, and they comprised nearly 10 percent of all Union troops. Yet little attention has been paid to their daily lives — both on the battlefield and on the home front — during the war. This collection of letters, written by German immigrants to friends and family back home, provides a new angle to our understanding of the Civil War experience and challenges some long-held assumptions about the immigrant experience at this time.

Originally published in Germany in 2002, this collection contains more than three hundred letters written by seventy-eight German immigrants — men and women, soldiers and civilians, from the North and South. Their missives tell of battles and boredom, privation and profiteering, motives for enlistment and desertion and for avoiding involvement altogether. Although written by people with a variety of backgrounds, these letters describe the conflict from a distinctly German standpoint, the editors argue, casting doubt on the claim that the Civil War was the great melting pot that eradicated ethnic antagonisms.

Editions of Germans in the Civil War

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807830444
Paperback
ISBN 9781469642529
EBook
ISBN 9781469605418
EBook
ISBN 9780807876596
PDF
ISBN 9798890880796

Read an Excerpt

German Americans were one of the largest immigrant groups in the Civil War era, and they comprised nearly 10 percent of all Union troops. Yet little attention has been paid to their daily lives — both on the battlefield and on the home front — during the war. This collection of letters, written by German immigrants to friends and family back home, provides a new angle to our understanding of the Civil War experience and challenges some long-held assumptions about the immigrant experience at this time.

Originally published in Germany in 2002, this collection contains more than three hundred letters written by seventy-eight German immigrants — men and women, soldiers and civilians, from the North and South. Their missives tell of battles and boredom, privation and profiteering, motives for enlistment and desertion and for avoiding involvement altogether. Although written by people with a variety of backgrounds, these letters describe the conflict from a distinctly German standpoint, the editors argue, casting doubt on the claim that the Civil War was the great melting pot that eradicated ethnic antagonisms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Germans in the Civil War about?

German Americans were one of the largest immigrant groups in the Civil War era, and they comprised nearly 10 percent of all Union troops. Yet little attention has been paid to their daily lives — both on the battlefield and on the home front — during the war. This collection of letters, written by German immigrants to friends and family back home, provides a new angle to our understanding of the Civil War experience and challenges some long-held assumptions about the immigrant experience at this time.

Originally published in Germany in 2002, this collection contains more than three hundred letters written by seventy-eight German immigrants — men and women, soldiers and civilians, from the North and South. Their missives tell of battles and boredom, privation and profiteering, motives for enlistment and desertion and for avoiding involvement altogether. Although written by people with a variety of backgrounds, these letters describe the conflict from a distinctly German standpoint, the editors argue, casting doubt on the claim that the Civil War was the great melting pot that eradicated ethnic antagonisms.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Germans in the Civil War?

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of Germans in the Civil War?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807830444

How long is Germans in the Civil War and how many pages does it have?

Germans in the Civil War has 560 page(s)

Is Germans in the Civil War part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Civil War America

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Germans in the Civil War?

The University of North Carolina Press

Who is the Publisher of the book Germans in the Civil War?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Germans in the Civil War is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807830444) and paperback(ISBN 9781469642529) and ebook(ISBN 9781469605418) and ebook(ISBN 9780807876596) and pdf(ISBN 9798890880796)

Where can I buy Germans in the Civil War online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Germans in the Civil War from below

Where can I buy Germans in the Civil War?