In this fascinating study, authors J. Timothy Cole and Bradley R. Foley present a vivid account on the life on Englishman and Confederate general, Collett Leventhorpe. Through meticulous research, the authors are able to track Leventhorpe from his youth in England, to his arrival in Charleston in 1843 as a young man, and through his settling down in North Carolina. This well-written biography develops a full sense of Leventhorpe's personality and character.

Not only have the authors succeeded in producing the first full-length scholarly biography of Leventhorpe, from the ample use of rich primary sources, Cole and Foley illustrate the love and respect Leventhorpe garnered from his men. This loyalty aided Leventhorpe's command to a great victory at Whitehall (NC) against superior numbers and to victory on the first day of Gettysburg, where he fell severely wounded and was subsequently captured during the Confederate retreat days later. Following his release from Federal prison in March 1864, and the resignation of his command to recuperate from his injuries, Leventhorpe's men contacted Gov. Zeb Vance seeking assistance in procuring a fine saddle for their beloved leader.

Fine research in obscure sources are apparent throughout the narrative and in the many copious footnotes. Photographs, maps, and primary source material in the appendices enliven the book. This book is a must for anyone interested in North Carolina history and especially Civil War history. Scholars interested in the history of gold mining in the Southeast would also find this book useful. ( )