Distant Bugles, Distant Drums
The Union Response to the Confederate Invasion of New Mexico
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University Press of Colorado
Published:30th Apr '08
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Although most accounts of the Civil War's New Mexico campaign have focused on the Confederate effort, Distant Bugles, Distant Drums brings to life the epic march of 1,000 men recruited from Colorado's towns, farms, and mining camps to fight 3,000 Confederate soldiers in New Mexico.Drawing on previously overlooked diaries, letters, and contemporary newspaper accounts, military historian Flint Whitlock brings the Civil War in the West to life. Distant Bugles, Distant Drums details the battles of 1,000 Coloradans against 3,000 Confederate soldiers in New Mexico and offers vivid portraits of the leaders and soldiers involved - men whose strengths and flaws would shape the fate of the nation. On their way to Colorado in search of gold and silver for the Confederacy's dwindling coffers, Texan Confederates won a series of engagements along the Rio Grande. Hastily assembled troops that had marched to meet them from Colorado finally turned them back in an epic conflict at Gloriéta Pass. Miners, farmers, and peacetime officers turned themselves overnight into soldiers to keep the Confederacy from capturing the West's mines, shaping the outcome of the Civil War. Distant Bugles, Distant Drums tells their story. Southwest Book Award Winner from the Border Regional Library Association
"By focusing explicitly on the North's reaction to Confederate dreams of empire in the West, Flint Whitlock adds several new insights to historical knowledge of this increasingly well-publicized theater of the Civil War." —Journal of Southern History "An important new book by Denver military historian Flint Whitlock . . . this well-written, solidly researched history of Colorado's Union troops is eye-opening." —Rocky Mountain News
"The depth of coverage for this period in Distant Bugles is one of its major strengths. This original contribution alone warrants the book's placement on the list of standard reference works for this campaign....By focusing on the Federal response to the Confederate invasion of New Mexico (and Colorado's political and military role in particular), author Flint Whitlock has made an important contribution to the literature of the campaign." —Andrew Wagenhoffer, Civil War Books and Authors
"This volume is Civil War military history at its very best. The research, especially in primary sources, is fresh, the interpretation is informed and concise, and the writing is skillful. Follow Whitlock's engagingly crafted narrative. He introduces you to the officers, soldiers, politicians, and merchants. He tells of their competence, loyalty, opportunities, and accomplishments." —James H. Nottage, Blue & Gray Magazine
ISBN: 9780870819124
Dimensions: 226mm x 152mm x 18mm
Weight: 449g
307 pages