Confederate Home Front : Montgomery During the Civil War

Library Journal

In his new work, Rogers (Black Belt Scalawag: Charles Hays and the Southern Republicans in an Era of Reconstruction, LJ 8/93) provides an engaging account of Montgomery, AL, as the Confederacy's first capital (February to May 1861) and major rebel subsistence depot and railroad nexus. Rogers considers such aspects of Montgomery life as the effectiveness of city governments; the nature and extent of the contract work done by its businessmen and artisans for the Confederacy; the municipal constabulary's attempts to keep public order, control crime, and prevent price-gouging and hoarding; the spectrum of bawdy and respectable wartime entertainment; the hardships endured by the city's women; the contributions to the city's defense made by impressed slaves; and the charities undertaken by benevolent and interfaith societies. Rogers devotes an intriguing chapter to the plight of Union sympathizers. The final sections portray a city locked within a disintegrating nation and ripe for the taking. This book is crisply written, appropriately illustrated, and painstakingly researched--a fine effort, recommended for large public and academic libraries.--John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Montgomery was the first capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War; this study depicts its political, economic, social, and commercial history from 1860 to 1865. Rogers (history, Gainsville College, GA) draws on historical documents and personal papers to provide an overview of the events that led to Alabama's secession and discuss such aspects of the city's wartime life as its business patterns and administration, efforts to promote the Confederate cause and defend the city from Union forces, and the plight of Unionists who remained in the city. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)