The Boys of Diamond Hill

In 1861, brothers Daniel and Pressley Boyd left their farm in Abbeville County, South Carolina to join the Confederate army. William, Thomas and Andrew soon followed, along with brother-in-law Fenton Hall. During the Civil War, they collectively fought in almost every theater of the conflict and saw firsthand every aspect of soldier life—from death and illness to friendly fire and desertion. By war’s end only Daniel survived.
Based on their extensive personal correspondence, this updated edition includes 30 never before published letters, along with new research revealing additional family background and undiscovered information about the fates of the Boyd brothers and other family members.

J. Keith Jones is an author of five books. He divides his time between the two Carolinas.

J. Keith Jones
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 253
Bibliographic Info: 6 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9056-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4995-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by Richard B. McCaslin 1
Prologue 5
Introduction to the Second Edition by J. Keith Jones 7
­Pre-War 11
1861 13
1862 49
1863 107
1864 151
1865 177
After the War 183
Epilogue 185
Editor’s Afterword 191
Appendix A: The Boyds, Crowthers, Halls, and Alewines and How They Are Related 195
Appendix B: Company Rosters for the Boyd Brothers 197
Appendix C: Partial, Undated Letters 219
Chapter Notes 221
Bibliography 227
Index 231

• “Highly recommended”—ARGunners Magazine

From first edition:

• First Edition Award: Winner, Military Writers Society of America Award

• “A handsome book…well-researched, well-documented, and beautifully presented…you will rejoice as the primary materials brings their experiences to life as only first-hand accounts can do”—Military Writers Society of America

• “The reader gets a very good look inside the hearts and souls of this South Carolina family”—Confederate Veteran

• “A WOW Rating”—The Lone Star Book Review