"The most stupid political blunder, yet known in American history, has now been consummated —the promised proclamation of Abraham Lincoln to decree the abolition of negro slavery."—The Richmond Examiner
In the nineteenth century, Americans kept up with the larger world through hundreds of colorful, idiosyncratic, and highly opinionated local and regional newspapers. In Fighting Words, Andrew Coopersmith delves into this untapped source to present an entirely new and fascinating perspective on the history of the Civil War, incorporating extensive excerpts from dozens of period newspapers —from the Harrisburg Telegraph to the New Orleans Bee.
Fighting Words includes illuminating (and often contradictory) accounts of the first battle of Manassas, the capture and occupation of New Orleans, emancipation, the enlistment of black soldiers, class conflict in the Confederacy between poor whites and slaveholders, the New York City draft riots, Sherman's march, and the assassination of President Lincoln.
The book is also lavishly illustrated with over 100 facsimile reproductions from the newspapers themselves, in a large-format edition. It will make a beautiful gift, and an essential addition to any Civil War library.
With selections from: Harrisburg Patriot & Union, Harrisburg Telegraph, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, New Orleans Bee, Richmond Whig, Houston Weekly Telegraph, Anglo-African, Irish-American, The Liberator, Savannah Republican, Springfield Republican, Wilmington Journal, Natchez Daily Courier, The Weekly Caucasian, Black Republican, The Evangelist, and others.