4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Reprint of Abel's American Indfian in Civil War, September 20, 2006
This review is from: The American Indian in the Civil War, 1862-1865 (Bison Book) (Paperback)
The American Indian in the Civil War, 1862-1865 by Annie Heloise Abel; Introduction by Theda Perdue and Michael D. Green
University of Nebraska Press
ISBN:0-8032-5919-0
The University of Nebraska Press publishes here the middle volume of the three volume series "The Slaveholding Indians" by Anne Heloise Abel . These included " The American Indian as Slaveholder and Secessionist" in 1915, " The American Indian as a Participant in the Civil War" in 1919, and "The American Indian under Reconstruction" in 1925. Front papers of the edition lacked this identifying tag, and it would have added a helpful placement. This edition itself, however, although in paper back, represents a complete and faithful rendition of the original text with all notes, references, bibliography , and illustrations included. It is accompanied by a helpful introduction by two University of North Carolina professors , Theda Perdue and Michael D. Green, who together have published several books on North Carolina's original native peoples.
In the time span of 1862 to 1865 the participation of the American Indian, - settled only some 30 odd years in Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma by force - in a war he did not cause or desire , but could not avoid, has its own drama and tragedy. Fact on fact supports the unique solidity of this singular story . No matter what is tried it seems the inevitable will happen; and indeed we are told the American Indian suffered more than any other group from the effects of the civil war .The run of this story, simply in its telling , attests to the chaos of a civil war.
Historiography works by layering, each generation profiting by the work of the last and improving by new discovery of text and records. Thus Green and Perdue are quick to point out that Miss Abel's books is an excellent outline , a base on which to build further work in the area; work that will profit from original sources not available at the time such as the papers of Chief John Ross, pioneer diaries, and so on. Her work is not as complete a picture of the events as might be had now, moreover our attitudes and sensitivities have changed. While this is quite possibly true , it is important to note that Miss Abel's accomplishment has yet to be repeated, and in fact, yet stands quite alone.
Copies of the Abel three volume work on the Slaveholding Indians were once available in university libraries. However, they disappeared from open shelving after the 1960s. They are now most usually available only in closed, special collections and cannot be consulted at one's leisure. This fact means the University of Nebraska publication with the Perdue and Green introduction is specially important and provides an important contribution. Americana buffs, students of the civil war, the American west, or the American Indian ..... all will appreciate the opportunity to own this book.
By Sylvia Starr
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Native Americans at war, October 9, 2006
This review is from: The American Indian in the Civil War, 1862-1865 (Bison Book) (Paperback)
Great book on the involvment of Native Americans in the Civil War. I especially enjoy the chapters covering the Oklahoma Cherokees.
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