In early October I received a complimentary copy of a new work entitled, The Hoofs and Guns of the Storm: Chicagos Civil War Connections, by Arnie Bernstein. And though I do not tout myself as an expert in literary review, I did promise the publisher that I would read the work and publish my evaluation in the Camp newsletter and on our Camp web site.
As an employee with a Chicago family business for the past 14 years, I do confess to have a personal interest in Chicago history and have visited and toured much of the city and its surroundings over the years but I was not aware of many of the facts presented in the book regarding Chicago and its connection to the WBTS.
Mr. Bernstein has very carefully mapped out a great tour of the city, complete with addresses, maps, and locations of numerous buildings, hotels and homes where many prominent Chicagoans lived and resided during the war years. This list includes the Lincolns, Pinkertons, Old Soldiers Home, Camp Douglas Prison and a number of cemeteries.
The author highlights some of the details surrounding the insanity of Mary Todd Lincoln, the death of her
young son, Tad and some
interesting facts about Robert Todd Lincoln and his involvement in the
admitting of his mother to Bellevue Place Sanitarium.
Other areas of interest deal with the racial problems of the time including Black Codes, the Underground Railroad, and the Abolition movement in Chicago. At the same time, he fairly describes some of the horrors inflicted upon Confederate soldiers at Camp Douglas prison and the secretive plans to mount a large scale escape and ultimate Confederate takeover of Chicago.
In my opinion, Mr. Bernstein does not make an effort to discuss the leading causes of the WBTS (although he makes some casual references) but rather gives the reader a look inside Chicago life and the individuals and families that influenced the media and public sentiment of the war. All in all, the book reveals a fair and honest look inside the lives of central Chicagoans prior to and during the war years; some supportive of the war and some not, without taking issue with or re-fighting the war itself.
The Hoofs and Guns of the Storm provides an excellent resource for anyone traveling to Chicago who is interested in exploring the local connection to the WBTS. The reader should keep in mind that some of the original buildings did not survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Other areas of interest deal with the racial problems of the time including Black Codes, the Underground Railroad, and the Abolition movement in Chicago. At the same time, he fairly describes some of the horrors inflicted upon Confederate soldiers at Camp Douglas prison and the secretive plans to mount a large scale escape and ultimate Confederate takeover of Chicago.
In my opinion, Mr. Bernstein does not make an effort to discuss the leading causes of the WBTS (although he makes some casual references) but rather gives the reader a look inside Chicago life and the individuals and families that influenced the media and public sentiment of the war. All in all, the book reveals a fair and honest look inside the lives of central Chicagoans prior to and during the war years; some supportive of the war and some not, without taking issue with or re-fighting the war itself.
The Hoofs and Guns of the Storm provides an excellent resource for anyone traveling to Chicago who is interested in exploring the local connection to the WBTS. The reader should keep in mind that some of the original buildings did not survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
TITLE: The Hoofs
and Guns of the Storm: Chicagos Civil War Connections
EDITION: First Edition
AUTHOR: Arnie Berstein
PUBLISHED: September 2003
ISBN : 1-893121-18-6
Softcover: $15.95
Library of Congess #: 2002112557
Discount is available by contacting Sue Catapano at Lake Claremont Press.
[email protected]
Lake Claremont Press
4650 N. Rockwell Street
Chicago, Illinois 60625
Phone: 773-583-7800
www.lakeclaremont.com
Remember to mention your membership with the McGowan Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans
EDITION: First Edition
AUTHOR: Arnie Berstein
PUBLISHED: September 2003
ISBN : 1-893121-18-6
Softcover: $15.95
Library of Congess #: 2002112557
Discount is available by contacting Sue Catapano at Lake Claremont Press.
[email protected]
Lake Claremont Press
4650 N. Rockwell Street
Chicago, Illinois 60625
Phone: 773-583-7800
www.lakeclaremont.com
Remember to mention your membership with the McGowan Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Mark A. Simpson, Commander