Brother William's War: Illustrated - Softcover

Watson, William J

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0615452612 ISBN 13: 9780615452616

Publisher: Broken Lance Enterprises, 2011

Synopsis

William Coleman thought he was on the way to success as a bank clerk in Chester, S.C., in the spring of 1861. Then his employer sent him a petticoat to shame him into joining the militia and fighting the Yankees. He did, sure “the silliness” would end once everyone calmed down. He was wrong. Really, really wrong. This is the story of a man who had to change to survive. It’s the story of the Confederate soldier. It’s the story of the sister who saw the war from home and the brother who fought it. It’s the four-year story of the Sixth South Carolina, a regiment covered in glory, drenched in blood and filled by men who did their duty as they saw it and didn’t think they were special. It’s the real story of the South, unvarnished. History bonus: This edition features illustrations, photos and a postscript from descendants of William Coleman’s family.

About this title

From the Author:

You can be a Yankee living in South Carolina and not learn a damn thing, or you can be a Yankee living in South Carolina who learns what there is to learn. I opted for the second choice, and the gift of the people of South Carolina to me was Hanna Hemphill Coleman and her essay. My gift back to them is Brother William's War.  It's for Southerners who are tired of being expected to apologize for "that war." It's a story that's more true than made up. It's an insider's look into the minds of men and women who found themselves caught up in a war and did their duty as they saw it, who didn't hate anybody but stood by friends and family when fighting was the only option.

I'm proud that this book has been selected as teaching material by a South Carolina private school.  I'm amused that a lot of neo-Confederate radicals who are preaching a fairy tale about a zippitee-do-da South that never existed don't know what to do when the truth turns out to be easier to swallow than the fantasies and bunkum they're hopelessly trying to peddle.  I'm delighted when Yankees with an interest in history read the book and say they learned something worth knowing about Southerners. I'm happy to give the Sixth South Carolina Volunteer Infantry and its amazing leadership its long-overdue recognition as one of the most effective and cohesive regiments the South put in the field. Despite a hard war with a lot of big battles, the Sixth came out with more than 350 Appomattox paroles, the biggest regiment in Lee's army at the time of the surrender. That's leadership.

I'm glad I wrote it. I hope you'll be glad to read it.

About the Author:

William J. Watson writes books about history for those who wish they'd been there. His writing is informed by extensive research, lucky finds, and hands-on experience using the methods and materials of the characters in his books.

About this edition

• Publisher: Broken Lance Enterprises
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0615452612
• ISBN 13: 9780615452616
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 172
• Illustrator: Slaton Jane Zimmerman, Harshbarger Maggie Slaton