Description:
Those Who Fought for Liberty On Both Sides
In 1775, the people of Charleston were on the verge of eight years of revolution and war. They were bitterly divided. For Charlestonians, the War for Independence was a civil war, as some favored independence and some were Loyalists. Many on both sides contributed greatly to the war effort. They were famous and obscure, rich and poor, women and men, Black and white. Contrary to popular opinion, people on both sides appealed to patriotism and fought for liberty. For the enslaved majority, the war represented an opportunity to gain their freedom--by siding with the British. In telling the stories of a spectrum of participants, Peter McCandless recovers a history at odds with public memory, encrusted with layers of forgetfulness and myths.
Review Quotes:
Those Who Fought for Liberty On Both Sides
"From a broader perspective, recounting the War for Independence through the perspectives of its participants--rather than just providing a straightforward timeline--makes McCandless's book a valuable addition to the historical record of Revolutionary Era Charleston. Readers will benefit from the author's efforts to dispel myths and explore the complexities and uncomfortable truths of history." -- Eugene Procknow, Researching the American Revolution