Synopses & Reviews
German Americans were one of the largest immigrant groups in the Civil War era, and they comprised nearly 10 percent of all Union troops. Yet little attention has been paid to their daily livesboth on the battlefield and on the home frontduring the war. This collection of letters, written by German immigrants to friends and family back home, describe the conflict from a distinctly German standpoint, the editors argue, casting doubt on the claim that the Civil War was the great melting pot that eradicated ethnic antagonisms.
Review
"Stands out as one of the strongest pieces of Civil War ethnic history published in decades."
-Annals of Iowa
Review
"Remarkably well edited and superbly introduced. . . . Highly recommended."
-CHOICE
Review
"No other source conveys the immigrant experience in the war so vividly and truthfully."
-James M. Bergquist, Villanova University, Emeritus
Review
"The editors have done a remarkable job of providing context for these letters with extensive research. . . . Both scholarly and general readers should find this collection of letters interesting. They provide an unusual view both of immigrant life and of the American Civil War through the eyes of these newcomers."
-Louisiana History
Review
"Stands out as one of the strongest pieces of Civil War ethnic history published in decades."
Annals of Iowa
Review
"A fine work, and one that brings to life new primary source material."
-On Point: The Journal of Army History
Review
"[
Germans in the Civil War: The Letters They Wrote Home] presents an insight and perspective for the reader that has gone largely unnoticed for almost a century and a half. . . . This superb work of primary-source scholarship should be a welcome addition to any Civil War library."
-Civil War News
Review
"Provides an immensely readable, human, and intimate account of the Civil War as experienced by German immigrants. . . . A beautifully composed and welcome contribution to Civil War history."
-South Carolina Historical Magazine
Review
"No other source conveys the immigrant experience in the war so vividly and truthfully."
James M. Bergquist, Villanova University, Emeritus
Review
"An excellent work of historical editing and remarkable translations. . . . These documents flesh out the experiences of Germans in the Confederate and Union armies. . . . An important primary source publication for a significant era. . . . Provides insights . . . that should interest not only historians of the Civil War era but those of 19th century United States as well."
-Journal of America Ethnic History
Review
"These letters provide a wonderfully rich cross-section of life by ordinary Germans so neglected over this past century and in doing so helps fill the void in ethnic studies of the Civil War."
-Journal of Military History
Review
"Provides a fascinating glimpse into the many roles and experiences of German immigrants during the Civil War."
-Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society
Review
"Allow[s] the English-speaking reader some insight into the diversity of reports and opinions. . . . All readers will find the letters fascinating."
-The Historian
About the Author
Walter D. Kamphoefner is professor of history at Texas A&M University. Wolfgang Helbich is professor emeritus of North American history at Ruhr Universit¤t Bochum. They have collaborated on four previous books, including News from the Land of Freedom: German Immigrants Write Home and German-American Immigration and Ethnicity in Comparative Perspective.