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Edited by Gary Gallagher and Elizabeth Varon, two of the most prominent nineteenth-century American historians in the nation, New Perspectives on the Union War provides a more nuanced understanding of what “Union” meant in the Civil War North by exploring how various groups of northerners conceived of the term. The essays in this volume demonstrate that while there was a broad consensus that the war was fought, or should be fought, for the cause of Union, there was bitter disagreement over how to define that cause—debate not only between political camps but also within them. The chapters touch on economics, politics, culture, military affairs, ethnicity, and questions relating to just war.
Contributors: Michael T. Caires, Frank Cirillo, D.H. Dilbeck, Jack Furniss, Jesse George-Nichol, William B. Kurtz, Peter C. Luebke, and Tamika Nunley
Each essay presents a healthy mix of familiar subjects and historical actors, as well as others who are less known, and even somewhat neglected today, creating a well-rounded portrait of events. Collectively, this volume succeeds in addressing the topic by capturing the diversity of Northern views on the meaning of "union" and how these views affected support for the Civil War.
Each essay included is thought-provoking, well written, and comprehensively annotated. New perspectives from the common soldier, the press, religious leaders, social reformers and politicians add to the understanding of the role each played in saving the Union and forging a lasting reconciliation. Thus it is easy to recommend this volume to the intellectual historian seeking a fresh look at patriotism and sentiment during the Civil War.
In New Perspectives on the Union War, Gallagher and Varon assemble eight wellresearched essays that accentuate the complex meaning of "Union" to northerners.
Gary W. Gallagher is John L. Nau III Professor in the History of the American Civil War and Director of the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including The Union War.
Elizabeth R. Varon (Edited By)
Elizabeth R. Varon is Langbourne M. Williams Professor of American History and Associate Director of the John L. Nau III Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia. She is the author of numerous books, including Appomattox: Victory, Defeat, and Freedom at the End of the Civil War.
Introduction
Gary W. Gallagher and Elizabeth R. Varon | 1
Waiting for the Perfect Moment: Abby Kelley Foster and Stephen Foster’s Union War
Frank J. Cirillo | 9
Elizabeth Keckly’s Union War
Tamika Y. Nunley | 39
To Save the Union “in Behalf of Conservative Men”: Horatio Seymour and the Democratic Vision for War
Jack Furniss | 63
The Union as It Was: Northern Catholics’ Conservative Unionism
William B. Kurtz | 91
“Certain Ill-Considered Phrases”: Edward Bates and the Disunionist Dangers of Radical Rhetoric
Jesse George-Nichol | 114
“Responsible to One Another and to God”: Why Francis Lieber Believed the Union War Must Remain a Just War
D. H. Dilbeck | 143
Building a Union of Banks: Salmon P. Chase and the Creation of the National Banking System
Michael T. Caires | 160
“To Transmit and Perpetuate the Fruits of This Victory”: Union Regimental Histories and the Great
Rebellion in Immediate Retrospect
Peter C. Luebke | 186
Notes 201
Bibliographic Note 241
List of Contributors 245
Index 247