The Price of Patriotism: Indiana County, Pennsylvania and the Civil War [Hardcover]

W. Wayne Smith (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 124 pages
• Publisher: Burd Street Pr (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572490993
• ISBN-13: 978-1572490994
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,444,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Local History With A National Perspective, March 31, 2000

By 

William J. Shepherd (Crofton, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Price of Patriotism: Indiana County, Pennsylvania and the Civil War (Hardcover)

As a former student of Dr. Smith and one whose ancestors lived in Indiana County and fought in the American Civil War, I read THE PRICE OF PATRIOTISM with eager anticipation. I was not disappointed as Dr. Smith clearly compiled the information and wrote this book with his usual thorough, imaginative, and articulate approach. The result is not only a local history which is well integrated into the larger theme of the events and influence of the Civil War on American Society but an excellent case study of a typical rural Northern County during this era. His use of primary sources including letters and newspapers illustrated the political complexities, military operations, and personal tragedies which impacted the natives of Indiana County and their contributions, sometimes less than willing, to the war effort. His study of the use of the military draft and cash bounty was very enlightening and the account of the complement of Indiana, PA, soldiers who made up significant portions of several famous regiments, such as the 40th and 78th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the sacrifices they made was inspiring yet also sobering. It also induced me to seek to read regimental histories such as Ron Gancas' THE GALLANT 78th or Gilbert A. Hays' UNDER THE RED PATCH: STORY OF THE 63rd REGIMENT, PA VOLUNTEERS. Also, the many photos used, especially members of the White family, enhanced Dr. Smith efforts to put human faces on these long dead soldiers. Finally, the repeated emphasis he used to communicate the fact that while Indiana County, PA, was patriotic and pro-Union it was not a center of Abolitionism was a caution to any myth making about the war's goals long after the fact. The only complaint I have with Dr. Smith's study is that while he noted that my native district, Cherry Tree, constantly voted for the Democrats and otherwise opposed the Republicans who controlled the county, he did not explain why Cherry Tree was so different from the rest of the county, especially as the only district to vote against Lincoln in both the 1860 and 1864 presidential elections! Overall, this is a wonderful contribution to the history of Indiana County, PA, in particular and the American Civil War in general.

5.0 out of 5 stars Price of Patriotism, July 14, 2010

By 

Amy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Price of Patriotism: Indiana County, Pennsylvania and the Civil War (Hardcover)

Very good history of Indiana County's involvement in the civil war. Includes information about the mustering in of soldiers during the war. Also has the economic efforts of the war on the county before, during and after the war.

Very informative.