Virginia at War 1865

About this book

By January 1865 most of Virginias schools were closed many newspapers had ceased publication businesses suffered and food was scarce. Having endured major defeats on their home soil and the loss of much of the states territory to the Union army Virginias Confederate soldiers began to desert at higher rates than at any other time in the war returning home to provide their families with whatever assistance they could muster. It was a dark year for Virginia. Virginia at War 1865 closely examines the end of the Civil War in the Old Dominion delivering a striking depiction of a state ravaged by violence and destruction. In the final volume of the Virginia at War series editors William C. Davis and James I. Robertson Jr. have once again assembled an impressive collection of essays covering topics that include land operations women and families wartime economy music and entertainment the demobilization of Lees army and the wars aftermath. The volume ends with the final installment of Judith Brockenbrough McGuires popular and important Diary of a Southern Refugee during the War. Like the previous four volumes in the series Virginia at War 1865 provides valuable insights into the devastating effects of the war on citizens across the state.