Lead Mine Men

Thomas B. Mack taught for several years at Dallas College at El Centro. His research focus is the Civil War soldier, whether Union or Confederate, and he explores soldiers’ collective wartime and postwar experiences though writing modern regimental studies.

"Mack has produced a comprehensive look at one of the hard-fighting and most celebrated regiments that served under Grant and Sherman in the Western Theater. He weaves a captivating and compelling story of these rugged soldiers—largely in their own words, from enlistment through four years of grueling war. He chronicles their experiences in battle, on the march, and camp life, and includes their transition back to civilian life at war’s end. In presenting these men in their patriotic fervor, faith, fears, and human frailties, he has produced an exemplary modern regimental study."—Terrence J. Winschel, author of Triumph Defeat: The Vicksburg Campaign, Vols. 1-2"Often lost in the scholarship of generals and battles are the lives of everyday soldiers. Thomas Mack takes what at first appears to be just another northern regiment, and with clear prose and keen insight reminds us of how very diverse Civil War units often were. Because the Illinois Forty-fifth hailed from Republican counties, its young farmers supported emancipation, reenlisted in large numbers, and demonstrated astonishing courage at bloody battles like Shiloh. Elegantly written and deeply researched."—Douglas R. Egerton, author of Thunder At the Gates: The Black Civil War Regiments That Redeemed America

• CONTENTSList of Tables and IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. From Citizen to Soldier2. The Men of the 45th3. Down among the Secesh4. Bloodied yet Unbroken5. Willing Emancipators6. On to Vicksburg7. Sacrifice in the “Death Hole”8. Veterans to Meridian, Home, and On to Atlanta9. The End of a Hard War10. Civilians Fighting with WordsAppendix A: The War’s Toll and Soldiers’ MisbehaviorAppendix B: Regimental Demographic StatisticsNotesBibliographyIndex