Description
Book Synopsis From the little-known Filibuster Wars to the Civil War battlefield of Gaines'' Mill, this volume details the fascinating story of one of the South''s most colorful military units, the 1st Louisiana Special Battalion, aka Wheat''s Tigers. Beginning with a brief look at the Filibuster Wars (a set of military attempts to annex Latin American countries into the United States as slave states), the work takes a close look at the men who comprised Wheat''s Tigers: Irish immigrant ship hands, New Orleans dock workers and Filibuster veterans. Commanded by one of the greatest antebellum filibusterers, Chatham Roberdeau Wheat, the Tigers quickly distinguished themselves in battle through their almost reckless bravery, proving instrumental in Southern victories at the battles of Front Royal, Winchester and Port Republic. An in-depth look at Battle of Gaines'' Mill, in which Wheat''s Tigers suffered heavy casualties, including their commander, completes the story. Appendices provide a compile
Trade Review
a well-written account...it’s time their tale was told, and this book does it well"" - Civil War News.
