Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston [Paperback]

Jr. Edward T. Cotham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998

The Civil War history of Galveston is one of the last untold stories from America's bloodiest war, despite the fact that Galveston was a focal point of hostilities throughout the conflict. As other Southern ports fell to the Union, Galveston emerged as one of the Confederacy's only lifelines to the outside world. When the war ended in 1865, Galveston was the only major port still in Confederate hands. In this beautifully written narrative history, Ed Cotham draws upon years of archival and on-site research, as well as rare historical photographs, drawings, and maps, to chronicle the Civil War years in Galveston. His story encompasses all the military engagements that took place in the city and on Galveston Bay, including the dramatic Battle of Galveston, in which Confederate forces retook the city on New Year's Day, 1863. Cotham sets the events in Galveston within the overall conduct of the war, revealing how the city's loss was a great strategic impediment to the North. Through his pages pass major figures of the era, as well as ordinary soldiers, sailors, and citizens of Galveston, whose courage in the face of privation and danger adds an inspiring dimension to the story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Devotees of American Civil War literature should find their horizons broadened and their understanding of the war enhanced by this book." Donald S. Frazier, author of Cottonclads! The Battle of Galveston and the Defense of the Texas Coast

Review

Devotees of American Civil War literature should find their horizons broadened and their understanding of the war enhanced by this book. (Donald S. Frazier, author of Cottonclads! The Battle of Galveston and the Defense of the Texas Coast )

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292712057
• ISBN-13: 978-0292712058
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,453,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Battle On The Bay, August 10, 2000

By 

mark wheeless (houston, texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston (Paperback)

I am a civil war re-enactor who lives in the Houston/Galvestion area. I have found Edward T. Gotham's book "Battle ON The Bay" a very thoughtfull read. He not only gave the history of the battle of Galveston, but throughly developed the main charactures in this battle which occured New Years day; 1863. I could not put this book down. every page held my attention, and i wondered what the next page contained. Not only did it inform me about the history of the area where i live, but i felt as if i were there living it. i am proud to have this book in my library.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Battle on the Bay, November 11, 2003

By 

Rodney Bode (Dayon Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston (Hardcover)

I have found Edward T. Gorham's book "Battle ON The Bay" a very thoughtful read. He not only gave the history of the battle of Galveston, he also informed you on the accounts of all the events leading up to Siege of Galveston. But also thoroughly developed the Commanding Officers of both the Union and Confederacy, in this battle, which occurred New Years day, 1863. "BATTLE ON THE BAY" also informs the reader of the accounts from the Confederatec victory to the end of the war. This book had humor as well as excitement. I could not put this book down. Every page held my attention, and I wondered what the next page contained. This book did a good job on informing me about the history of the area where I live.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Battle on the Bay, January 25, 2004

By 

Mark McMillan (Cedar Park, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle on the Bay: The Civil War Struggle for Galveston (Hardcover)

A very detail oriented and illuminating book. I have no trouble recommending this book to any serious student of american history.