For the Union: Ohio Leaders in the Civil War

On the eve of the Civil War, Ohio was an important Union State. Third in population and wealth among the thirty-four states, the number of its people, joined with those of New York and Pennsylvania, surpassed the total population of the Confederacy. In addition to its status as a major agricultural producer, Ohio was significant in terms of manufacturing, urbanization, commerce, and education. First published in 1968, this collection of essays broadens our knowledge of Ohio's leadership during the Civil War by focusing on individuals who are not as familiar to modern audiences as Grant, Sheridan, or Sherman. The men featured in this book were known beyond Ohio's borders, yet each also provided leadership in and was closely identified with the Buckeye state: Clement L. Vallandigham, James A. Garfield, Whitelaw Reid, Ben Wade, Charles P. McIlvaine, Miles Greenwood, Murat Halstead, John Sherman, Artemus Ward, and Petroleum Nasby. Because the war involved people from virtually every walk of life in addition to the military, these men represent many areas of activity, including manufacturing, the church, journalism, and politics.