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by William C. Philson (Editor), Anita Siedel (Editor), Mark S. Painter (Author)
The United States was embroiled in the American Civil War. Every city, large or small town, and all of the rural areas throughout America of the time were affected. Much of the male population was involved in this struggle--either directly or indirectly. The ladies were also highly involved. This is the story of an area of Western Pennsylvania--Mercer County, halfway between Pittsburgh and Erie--and the people who served in that war. A significant portion of the population went to the service. These men and women played a significant role in the Union winning that struggle (there were also Confederates from this area involved). This part of the country may seem like it was far away from the situations that caused this war, but we were right along the paths that led to war. This area was populated by people whose parents or grandparents fought in the Revolutionary War. They were very patriotic and saw the Constitution as a contract that the South could not just walk away from--it bound the States together forever (the South viewed the Constitution as a compact--a gentleman's agreement (a hand shake agreement) that as long as it served both parties they would work together, but it had failed). The young men were probably excited to go on a quest--an adventure--most had never been farther from their homes than fifty miles. Many of the citizens of Mercer County were drawn to the abolitionist movement. There were parts of the Underground Railroad that ran through the county. There was a runaway slave community near the present town of Sandy Lake and a freed slave community at Indian Run. Mercer Borough was less than sixty miles from two slave markets in Virginia (present day West Virginia).The soldiers from this small community fought in almost every battle-large and small-during those four rugged years. Here is their story in their own words-mostly. This book is the story of the American Civil War from the perspective of a small town and of small town boys. It is in depth and striking. You come to know those boys and men from at least one hundred fifty-four years ago.
