The thin light of freedom: the Civil War and emancipation in the heart of America

Part one: the scourge of war: July 1863 through November 1864 -- The great invasion: May through July 1863 -- A gigantic forlorn hope: July 1863 -- The great task remaining before us: July 1863 through May 1864 -- The Earth will tremble: April through June 1864 -- To burn something in the enemy's country: June through October 1864 -- A campaign of terrible moment: September through November 1864 -- Part two: The harvest of war: December 1864 through 1902 -- The colossal suicide of world history: December 1864 through March 1865 -- The perils of peace: March through October 1865 -- Rebelism: January through December 1866 -- We must be one people: January 1867 through July 1869 -- The past is not dead: 1868 through 1902 -- Epilogue.;Drawn from personal correspondence of people located in the Great Valley Counties of Augusta, Virginia, and Franklin, Pennsylvania, a ground level perspective of how the war and emancipation affected those living there.