A Young Virginia Boatman Navigates the Civil War
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Author Description
George Randolph Wood filled several journal books with personal remembrances of life in nineteenth-century Hampton, Virginia, particularly of his experiences aboard river and canal boats transporting supplies for Confederate troops along the James River during the Civil War. Wood wrote about his experience because he thought it might interest his family, but his writing is of interest to a more general audience because of the scarcity of information about those who worked on river boats and supply barges during the war. His writing lacks the sentimentality often found in reminiscences, and his terse, non-flowery style is interspersed with wit and honest observations of wartime spent on the James River, its tributaries, and the canal above Richmond. --from publisher description
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
The Civil War's logistical backbone is revealed through the personal accounts of a young boatman. George Randolph Wood's journals offer a rare glimpse into the lives of those who operated river and canal boats, transporting vital supplies for Confederate troops along Virginia's James River. His unvarnished prose, devoid of sentimentality and marked by wit, provides honest observations of wartime life on the waterways, filling a significant gap in historical records concerning the common laborers of the conflict.
THE SCOPE MAP
- Personal journals detailing experiences on river and canal boats during the Civil War.
- First-hand accounts of transporting supplies for Confederate troops.
- Observations of life along the James River, its tributaries, and the canal above Richmond.
- A terse, witty, and observational writing style, lacking sentimentality.
- Insights into the roles of ordinary workers during wartime.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This work is regarded as a valuable historical document due to its scarcity of information on river boatmen during the Civil War. The publisher description highlights the author's direct, unembellished style, suggesting a grounded and authentic perspective. The focus on logistical support and the daily realities of wartime labor offers a unique angle on the conflict, likely appealing to historians and those interested in social history.
Page Count:
216
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
ISBN-10:
0813929032
ISBN-13:
9780813929033
Non-Fiction
Biography
History
Military History
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