A solid social, political, and military history, this work gives light to the rise of the pro-Union and pro-Confederacy factions. It explores the political developments and recounts in fine detail the military maneuvering and conflicts that occurred.Beginning with a history of the state's first settlers, the author lays a strong foundation for understanding the values and beliefs of East Tennesseans. He examines the rise of abolitionism and secessionism, then turns to the war itself. Early in the conflict, Union sympathizers burned a number of railroad bridges, resulting in occupation by Confederate troops and abuses upon the Unionists and their families. Fighting-age Unionists took flight from Confederate conscription only to grow impatient with delays in a Federal invasion to relieve their families and homes. Finally, the author documents the siege and relief of Knoxville.Although authored by a Unionist, the work is objective in nature and fair in its treatment of the South and the Confederate cause. Complete with a comprehensive index, this work should be in every Civil War library. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.