On November 11, 1862, Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman, despite a lack of formal military training, was named commander of four regiments sent to the eastern counties of North Carolina to prevent Federal troops from making further inroads into the state. Clingman has been called one of North Carolina's most colorful and controversial statesmen, but his military career received little attention from his contemporaries and has been practically ignored by later historians. Like Clingman, the brigade, composed of the 8th, 31st. 51st, and 61st regiments of North Carolina Infantry, has been both praised and condemned for its performance in battle. -- From the back cover.

Clingman's Brigade--An Introduction --Thomas L. Clingman--The Man -- Thomas L. Clingman--The Colonel -- Battles: 1862-1863 -- Battles: 1864 -- Battles: 1865 -- A History of the 8th Regiment -- A History of the 31st Regiment -- A History of the 51st Regiment -- A History of the 61st Regiment -- Heroes, Cowards or Fools -- Problems of a Brigade Commander -- Evaluation and Summary -- Appendix A. Clingman's Order Book 1-- General Orders Issued by Brigadier General Thomas Lanier Clingman -- Appendix B. Clingman's Order Book 2--Specific Orders -- Appendix C. Men Who Made Up Clingman's Brigade--Officers -- Appendix D. Miscellaneous Letters.