OHP Book Review - Lion of Liberty by Harlow Unger

“LION OF LIBERTY” Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation
Harlow Giles Unger
Da Capo Press-2010
321 pages

In this magnificent book Harlow Unger paints a portrait of Patrick Henry that will inspire, recharge and get us excited; if not passionate; about what freedom is and why we as Americans strive, desire and covet that ideal.

Harlow Unger, I have to admit is one of my favorite authors. He combines true story telling mixed with sound academic research and writing that leaves nothing out. Each chapter referenced is Healy laden with reference notes (18 pages), which include writings from Henry himself to letters of others, firsthand account documents, Court records, Church records and more. This serves in giving you, not only personal insight on his views, but a complete portrait of how others viewed him at the time.

The opening leaves you in suspense as the young Henry makes his first appearance in a courtroom, seemingly not sure what to do. The Judge was on the verge of throwing out the case and awarding the other party the victory. We find out later that Henry, a master of the courtroom stage was more than ready to argue almost any point. We see his love of family, love of country and love of law shine through.

In this work we see how Patrick Henry developed his skills in the backwoods. We see who his first audience (the animals) was and how he crafted his art and performance. As the book progresses we see his genius from soon to be peers to taking on challenges of the mother country in respects to the legal standings. These accounts you will just have to read for yourself, and I will say it is well worth the read.

This book sounds the cry of freedom and political statement s that are as relevant today as they were then. “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” may be Henry’s legacy to our Nation, but what you will find is that he left so much more. This Masterpiece and Portrait of Patrick Henry is something every American should read, regardless of your viewpoints; left or right. To continue on as a nation we have to have an understanding of who we are and the other viewpoints of the opposition, then we can grow. As much as Van Buran brought us party politics, Henry brought us the will and the determination to speak out, stand up and demand to be heard.

Reviewed by
Craig Anderson
Our History Project, Inc.

OHP BOOK REVIEW: STONEWALL JACKSON, THE BLACK MAN'S FRIEND BY RICHARD G. WILLIAMS

Non-fiction, pictures, foot notes, bibliography, index, 223 pp., 2006. Cumberland House Publishing, Inc, 431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville TN 37211. $20.95, plus shipping and handling.

Shelby Foote stated, “Academic historians seem to think the facts are the story; the facts are only the bare bones of the story.” Many historians know about the “facts” of Thomas Jonathon “Stonewall” Jackson’s life. Some are content with this limited knowledge, while others seek to find more information about Jackson, a man who, in his own right, has become a hero of the South. Richard G. Williams explores an aspect of Jackson’s “story” in Stonewall Jackson, The Black Man’s Friend that few historians have broached.

“Tom Jackson was the poor, orphaned young mountain boy who would, by sheer determination, graduate from West Point; the shy, backward, stammering young man who would become an influential speaker, educator, and leader in Lexington; the strict Calvinist deacon who questioned predestination; the fearless Confederate General who would weep over one of his slaves’ deaths; the slave owner who would risk criminal prosecution and social ridicule by teaching slaves and free blacks to read and to seek the same Savior who had redeemed his own soul.” Williams shows in this one sentence the many different aspects of Jackson’s life that the readers may or may not know. His book explores the statements pertaining to Jackson’s Christianity and his treatment of blacks by using documents, interviews, historical resources, unpublished letters and photographs. “Jackson fervently believed that all of God’s children, regardless of color, had an equal right to seek the kingdom of heaven,” states James I. Robertson, Jr. in the foreword of Stonewall Jackson, The Black Man’s Friend.

This book mainly examines the influence Jackson had in the black community before, during and after the war. It is amazing that his influence is still found in Lexington, Virginia today. In one chapter entitled, Stonewall Jackson and Lylburn L. Downing, Williams looks at the connection of these two men, who never meet. Ellen Downing gave birth to Lylburn a little over a year before Jackson’s death. Even though Downing was born into slavery, he was taught the Word of God through Jackson’s Sunday-school class, like his parents. Eventually Downing is called into the ministry to lead others to God. Williams brings to light an article on Downing appearing in the May 10, 1936 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch that states, “The little colored boy was much impressed with the accounts of the life and work of the great soldier and teacher. As he grew older and studied the life of this hero of his own community he came to regard Stonewall Jackson not only as one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, but also as one of the best friends the Negro race had ever known.”

Downing always wanted to honor Jackson, “the man he credited for his family’s Christian heritage.” After nurturing a small congregation, Downing built a church in Roanoke, Virginia. He raised the funds to place a stained glass window inside the church that “honored Jackson for his dedicated and literary and gospel work among slaves and free blacks in the Lexington area.” The window can still be seen in this black church. The reader is able to see how Jackson’s influence was felt even after his death through this story and others presented by Williams.

An in-depth look at the relationship between Jackson and Jim Lewis is also presented. Williams gives a well researched point of view about a part of Jackson’s story that many know little about. Henry Kyd Douglas of Jackson’s staff states, “The faithful fellow has become historical by reason of his association with General Jackson, to whom his devotion was a kind of superstition. He became important and was aware of it and never denied an anecdote told him, however incredible, if the General was in it. He was a handsome mulatto, in the prime of life, well-made and with excellent manners, but perhaps altogether true only to the General.” This friendship will live through history as an example for the future generations.

The death of Jackson was devastating to the South, but most especially to those who loved him most. Williams details the last days of Jackson’s life with vivid imagery from those loved ones who were with him until the end. The reader is able to relive the pain felt by those present during this traumatic, but final episode in the General’s life. Anna, Jackson’s wife, says about Lewis’ grief, “Tears were shed over that dying bed by strong men who were unused to weep, and it was touching to see the genuine grief of his servant, Jim, who nursed him faithfully to the end.”

The final chapter takes the reader to the funeral of General Jackson. A nation was mourning a man who had unknowingly written his name in history books forever. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:13

Williams does a fantastic job in telling a part of the life of General Stonewall Jackson. Not only does he investigate Jackson’s relationship with blacks, but he tells about Jackson’s death and funeral. There are many books that review Jackson’s military genius, but a limited few that examine his “lasting and positive impact on Southern blacks.”

Richard G. Williams, Jr. has written for many Southern periodicals, including the Southern Partisan. He has also authored The Maxims of Robert E. Lee. He currently resides in Stuarts Draft, Virginia.

Written by Cassie A. Barrow

OHP BOOK REVIEW: MARCHING THROUGH CULPEPPER BY VIRGINIA MORTON

Novel, illustrated, maps, notes, bibliography, 544 pp., 2000. Edgehill Books, P.O. Box 1342, Orange, VA 22960, $27.99 plus shipping.

Marching Through Culpepper is a novel written by Virginia B. Morton, who like Margaret Mitchell is a fist-time author. Marching Through Culpeper takes place from the vantage point of Culpeper, Virginia, which is situated between the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers and is on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Both the North and the South considered this a key location for their troops to invade or protect Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley. With this in mind, the citizens of Culpeper saw first hand “the movement of more troops than any other locale in the nation.”

This story is based on Constance Armstrong, the daughter of a wealthy and well-respected judge from Culpeper. The diary styled novel begins on July 3-5, 1860 and ends on April 24, 1865. You read about lives of the people of Culpeper as they witnessed the horrific bloodshed and hardships during the four years of the War Between the States. Character and story development allow you to love, hate, hurt, rejoice and suffer with the characters. Some notable characters that grace the book include Jeb Stuart, William "Extra Billy" Smith, A.P. Hill, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Judson Kilpatrick, and George Armstrong Custer. The reader witnesses the battles of Cedar Mountain, Kelly’s Ford, Brandy Station, Culpeper Court House, and other small actions in the area.

Marching Through Culpeper is a love story commingled with the harsh realities of war. Constance has several attentive beaus including the gallant Major John Pellham, Major Robert Beckham and a Yankee office, Aaron Ames. Her best friend and confidant is none other than Frank Stringfellow, an actual scout for Jeb Stuart and John Mosby. Her strength and ability to survive in such deplorable conditions are continuously evident. Constance is affected by the deaths of many people she loves at the hand of the despicable Yankees; yet she is drawn to the kindness of Aaron Ames no matter what his military tie is. Her life is inevitably changed by the war that rages around her and her home. A definite page-turner, you will want to experience the next victory or defeat of this spunky young lady who matures before your eyes.

Although this book is fiction, the author has spent much time and effort to research the events and people she has intertwined into this story. Mrs. Morton is a thirty year resident of the Culpeper area and is a local tour guide. A bibliography supports the facts and endnotes reveal where names may have changed since the 1860’s or other vital information. There are maps to review and pictures of individuals throughout the book. Although the initial edition contained a number of erroneous typos, this has been corrected in subsequent editions.
This book is a love story for the ladies, and war novel for the men and a wealth of information for historians of The War Between the States. Mrs. Morton stated, “Marching Through Culpeper is a story of the human spirit. I believe that same irrepressible spirit is with us today because it pulses through the veins of many of you." David Johnson, General Manager of Strategic Vision, a marketing firm in Atlanta declared, “Move over Margaret Mitchell and Michael Shaara…make room for Virginia Morton. This book will succeed." Marching Through Culpeper encompasses the human side of the atrocities Southerners experienced during the War Between the States. It is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about what took place on the home front and how the political power struggle with the Lincoln administration affected even civilians. Every library in the South should have a copy of this book on its shelf. I agree with Mr. Johnson, this book will succeed.

Written by Cassie A. Barrow