Slavery and Four Years of War (eBook)

Joseph Warren Keifer (1836–1932) was a prominent figure in American history, known for his military service during the Civil War and his subsequent political career. He authored 'Slavery and Four Years of War,' a gripping account of the Civil War era, providing insights from his perspective as a Union officer. Born in Clark County, Ohio, Keifer pursued legal studies before enlisting in the Union Army, where he rose to the rank of brigadier general. His military experiences, enriched by his participation in significant battles such as Antietam and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, inform his detailed narrative of the war and its intricacies surrounding the contentious issue of slavery. After the war, Keifer returned to his legal practice, but his service was far from over, including representing Ohio in the United States House of Representatives and serving as Speaker of the House. His literary work, characterized by a blend of personal reminiscence and historical detail, reflects a unique style grounded in the experience of conflict and the quest for a reunified nation. Keifer's contributions to literature and history are underscored by his firsthand accounts of a tumultuous period, providing readers and scholars an invaluable perspective on the Civil War era's social and political dynamics.