Oxford in the Civil War: Battle for a Vanquished Land

by Stephen Enzweiler

Overview

Though no legendary battles took place at Oxford, the community was deeply affected by the War Between the States and deeply involved in its proceedings. Oxford in the Civil War tells the story of the steadfast men and women who fought to defend their homeland. Join author Stephen Enzweiler as he recounts the lives of Oxfordians caught in the grips of civil war. Looming historical figures include L.Q.C. Lamar, a politician and so-called "fire eater" who organized the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment in Oxford; the "University Greys," a unit organized by Ole Miss students; and Jacob Thompson, former secretary of the interior under President James Buchanan who resigned and returned to Oxford to serve the Confederate cause. Although Union general Andrew "Whiskey" Smith burned much of the town to the ground, Oxford survived. And the resilient people—both slaveholders and slaves—finally have their stories told here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596293182
Publisher:	History Press, The
Publication date:	10/05/2010
Series:	Civil War Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Stephen Enzweiler is a journalist and magazine writer. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he began his career at age fifteen writing articles for the local papers. After earning a degree in journalism, he worked for a few years on newspapers before leaving home to join the Air Force to fly as a navigator. During his time in the service, he became witness to history itself while serving in the Persian Gulf War and the Balkans conflict. During a break from service in the 1990s, he became the editor of several magazines and also taught art and creative writing. In 2003, he was once more sent to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, where his personal experiences became the basis for a collection of writings called War Diary. Today, he is senior editor and book critic for Y'all magazine in Oxford, Mississippi, and writes extensively about Mississippi and the South.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction: In the Course of Human Events 11

1 The Stars in Their Courses 17

2 Closing the Mississippi Mind 27

3 The Imprisoned Winds Are Let Loose 43

4 The Far Summer Thunder 57

5 The Beleaguered City 71

6 The Last Gallant Rush 85

7 The Vanquished 101

8 The Ever Sounding Murmur of God 109

Bibliography 115

Index 123

About the Author 128