Cary Library Corner

11 years ago

    Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
    “The Library of Congress Illustrated Timeline of the Civil War,” by Margaret E. Wagner is a very large volume (no reading it in bed, folks!) on fine quality paper and chock-a-block full of wonderful period pictures. Hand written maps, copies of correspondence, cartoons of the day, and newspaper excerpts are many throughout this book and add to our knowledge of the chaos and hardships suffered by both sides.

    One example is McClellan’s utter dislike of Pres. Lincoln although Lincoln readily relied on McClellan for important leadership posts. Also Union soldiers stationed in New Orleans were literally dumped on by the “southern ladies” from the contents of their chamber pots.
    The author does not scrimp on details from either side and the perspective is definitely from diligent research of material gleaned from those years and interpretation in the years since the War. Lack of food, medical care, proper clothing, sufficient training and currency plagued both North and South and has been repeatedly documented.
    Photographers and artists were often present  and have provided many stark realities this reader had not heard before, such as the murder of black Union troops at the battle of Poison Springs, Arkansas. Footnotes and bibliography are prevalent and the Seventeenth Maine, Twentieth Maine are given their due.
    A book to be treasured, reread after a time, and thought about as we reflect in travels throughout the Southern  states as they are today.
    In the Cary Library lobby there are neat state of Maine “Civil War Trail” pamphlets with details of 23 sites of Civil War sites and museums featuring men, women, letters, artifacts and more for any buffs who would like to see the real thing without leaving the state. Check it out.
    The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.