Book

Arming the Confederacy : how Virginia's minerals forged the rebel war machine

Whisonant, Robert C. (Robert Clyde), 1941- author

Overview

This is a fresh look at the American Civil War from the standpoint of the natural resources necessary to keep the armies in the field. This story of the links between minerals, topography, and the war in western Virginia now comes to light in a way that enhances our understanding of America?s greatest trial. Five mineral products ? niter, lead, salt, iron, and coal ? were absolutely essential to wage war in the 1860s. For the armies of the South, those resources were concentrated in the remote Appalachian highlands of southwestern Virginia. From the beginning of the war, the Union knew that the key to victory was the destruction or occupation of the mines, furnaces, and forges located there, as well as the railroad that moved the resources to where they were desperately needed. To achieve this, Federal forces repeatedly advanced into the treacherous mountainous terrain to fight some of the most savage battles of the War.

• Publisher: Springer
• Subject: Mines and mineral resources Virginia History 19th century. / Mineral industries Virginia History 19th century. / Virginia History Civil War, 1861-1865.
• ISBN: 331914507X, 9783319145075

Item info:

1 item available

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Holdings :

Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
TN24.V8 W48 2015	1	BOOK	AUTOSTORE