Anyone who encounters Michael C. Hardy learns quickly that his passion is history. He’s authored 15 books on various subjects, most of them dealing with some aspect of the Civil War in the Tar Heel state.
Hardy’s books have garnered numerous awards, and in October 2010, he was named North Carolina’s historian of the year by the North Carolina Society of Historians.
On Tuesday, Hardy will bring his passion to Salisbury, speaking at the monthly meeting of the Rowan History Club. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Messinger Room at Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. The meeting room is accessible by elevator.
Hardy’s most recent work is “North Carolina in the Civil War.” The first half of this new book is devoted to what happened within the Tar Heel state in the tumultuous years between 1861 and 1865. The book looks at the military campaigns within the state, from the capture of Fort Hatteras in 1861 to Stoneman’s Raid in March and April 1865.
The political realm is covered, along with the socio-economic conditions of the state during those years.
But “North Carolina in the Civil War” goes further. A chapter examines Tar Heel regiments in the battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of Tennessee, including Big Bethel Church in June 1861, Gettysburg in July 1863, Chickamauga in September 1863, and Appomattox in April 1865.
Another chapter covers the Reconstruction period, analyzing the politics and subsequent violence of the era. Following that is a chapter on the remembrance process, from the reburial of the war dead to the process of building monuments and holding reunions. Lastly, there is a brief look at important Civil War-related sites in North Carolina.
Hardy has written numerous volumes on North Carolina’s role in the Civil War. Some of his other works include histories of the 37th North Carolina Regiment, the 58th North Carolina Regiment, the battle of Hanover Court House, Va., a book of first-hand North Carolina experiences at Gettysburg, and a tome on Confederate veteran reunions and monument dedications in North Carolina.
Hardy will make a presentation followed by a question and answer period and sign books at the Rowan History Club meeting.
For more information about Hardy, visit his web page at www.michaelchardy.com or his blog, North Carolina and the Civil War, at http://michaelchardy.blogspot.com
The Rowan History Club meets the second Tuesday of each month September through May.
For more information, contact the Rowan Museum at 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseum@carolina.rr.com