Battle of Secessionville Book to Have National Release

Charleston, SC The Charleston Civil War Round Table and the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust announced today that Mr. Patrick Brennan, author of Secessionville: Assault on Charleston, will be in Charleston November 7-10, 1996, for the national release of his book on the Battle of Secessionville.

On Thursday, November 7, Mr. Brennan will be the guest speaker at the 7:00 pm meeting of the Charleston Civil War Round Table. This meeting is free and open to the public, and will be held at Charles Towne Landing 1670 Historical State Park.

On Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, the author will be at the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust information booth on Sulter's Row (vendors section) at Boone Hall Plantation, site of the reenactment of the Battle of Secessionville. Mr. Brennan will be at the Trust information booth to autograph copies of his book. The book will be available for $29.95 per copy. Scheduled for national release on November 1, the Trust has been able obtain one hundred advance copies of the book and be the first to offer it to the general public. All profits from the sale of the book will go to the Battleground Preservation Trust's efforts to preserve and protect South Carolina's 1775-1865 military sites.

Fought on James Island, the June 16, 1862 battle (See detailed page on Secessionville) was the largest land battle to take place in South Carolina during the Civil War. This three and one-half hour engagement marked the first serious attempt by U. S. forces to capture Charleston during the war. Of the approximately 4,750 troops from both sides involved in the battle about 900 men were killed, wounded, captured, or listed as missing. Defeated, the Federal forces withdrew only to return in July 1863 to lay siege to Charleston until the city was evacuated in February 1865. See page on Charleston Battles.

For further information Contact: Philip Bradley President of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust at (803) 572-5511.

For further information on the Battleground Preservation Trust see their page on the Civil War @ Charleston Internet Web Site: http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/trust.html