Visiting Professor Roger Rosentreter has published a new book, Many a Hand: Michigan and the Civil War.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Michiganians rallied behind the Union, embracing the belief that loyalty to the nation was absolute. Even as the war became increasingly deadly and demanding, their resolve never wavered. By the conflict’s conclusion, an astonishing 50 percent of the state’s military-age men had enlisted in the army.
Many A Hand goes beyond battlefield valor to tell a broader story. This volume highlights the contributions of women—some of whom defied expectations by joining the war effort directly. It also traces white soldiers’ views on slavery and, how Black Michiganians responded, particularly by volunteering to join the army. This monograph also explores in depth Michigan’s reaction to the shocking assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Rosentreter brings these intertwined stories together in one compelling account.
Many a Hand: Michigan and the Civil War is available from Michigan State University Press.