The Distaff Side, Kathleen A. Ernst, Too Afraid to Cry: Civilians in the Battle of Antietam

"There was a red haze from the sunset…the brick of the church was red, and as far as I could see were suffering, crying, or dead men…red, red, red. It was a red stew. I can remember my mother laboring with three big baskets and I holding her pettiskirts… pulling a large bundle along the ground… and all of us, my brothers and sisters, too afraid to cry."

--A Sharpsburg woman's memories of being a child on Sept. 17, 1863

This non-fiction book examines the experiences of the children, women, and men who inadvertently found themselves in the war's path during the weeks in September, 1862, which culminated in the Battle of Antietam Creek at Sharpsburg, Washington County -- the single bloodiest day in American history. Their experiences reflect, in microcosm, the story of a nation torn apart by civil war.

"Kathleen Ernst has done a masterful job at joining together military and social history into a superbly readable story that will stand as the premier work on the subject for a long time."

--Ted Alexander, Historian, Antietam National Battlefield

"Through careful and thorough research coupled with spirited writing, Too Afraid to Cry lifts the veil on an untold story of the Maryland campaign of 1862. Readers will not likely think of the effects of the Civil War on civilians the same way again."

--David J. Eicher, author of The Civil War in Books

"Ernst's book should appeal to a wide audience, particularly general readers. The writing is vivid, skillfully blending military and social history."

--Sharon Seager, Civil War History

"A masterful blend of military and social history that should be read by anyone interested in American history."

--Michael Russert, The Civil War News

"Ernst has masterfully pulled together first person accounts from diaries, letters, personal accounts, and published works to explore the wide effect of battle on civilians....Expertly woven in are accounts by soldiers of their encounters with the civilians in the area, and enough detail of the military actions to put the battle into context for those with a military bent. ...Too Afraid to Cry is easy to read and moves quickly. Ernst demonstrates some fine literary touches that elevate this beyond a mere retelling of old stories. An exceptional bibliography and detailed endnotes attest to the depth of research, especially in primary sources. ...Kathleen Ernst has provided an admirable addition to the bookshelf."

--Susan Lyons Hughes, The Citizens' Companion

"A book of unusual merit."

--James Bready, The Baltimore Sun

Too Afraid to Cry

Kathleen A. Ernst

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History Book Club
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