ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A book has one author, but so many individuals contribute to its completion. First
and foremost, I would like to thank John David Smith for signing me up for this
project and being with me every step of the way as I completed it. Th is book is mate-
rially better because of his contribution. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge
Michael Millman of Praeger for his encouragement and patience as this project took
longer to fi nish than planned. Partly, this book took more time because it synthesizes
the work of so many fi ne historians, living and dead; I hope I did justice to their
scholarship. Moreover, I wanted to convey one idea in these pages; these studies
are all correct. Confederates hid in the attic, they paraded down main street. Union
soldiers revered their former foes and rejected their comradeship. Americans forgot
slavery and remembered emancipation; honored the union and sacralized disunion.
Th e past is neither dead, past, nor unitary.
While I am grateful to all who have contributed to this volume, I must single out
some of those whose kindness and support have meant a great deal to me in my career
including William A. Blair, Gary W. Gallagher, Caroline E. Janney, Christian B. Keller,
Kevin M. Levin, Anne E. Marshall, Brian Craig Miller, Mark E. Neely, Nina Silber,
Andrew L. Slap, Elizabeth R. Varon, Joan Waugh, LeeAnn Whites, and Jim Weeks, who
is with us only in memory. I would also like to recognize David W. Blight, for his body
of work and his kindness to me as a young scholar, at least in academic years. Finally,
to my sister Mary, and my brother Michael, your faith in me made all things possible.
