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New Historical Book Tells Story of Bertie County's 'Destitute Patriots' in War of 1812

Bookmark and Share Raleigh, N.C. - March 14, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The latest title from the Historical Publications Section of the N.C. Office of Archives and History examines what is called the "Second War of U.S. Independence."

Written by Gerald W. Thomas, the book "Destitute Patriots: Bertie County in the War of 1812" examines contributions to and sacrifices for the war by the citizens of northeastern coastal Bertie County.

Militiamen and regular army troops from Bertie County suffered greatly from a lack of basic military training, equipment and supplies. Nonetheless they offered their services to the perpetuation of the nation, its sovereignty and the freedoms won almost three decades earlier in the Revolutionary War. The fact that many of the men did not receive pay until the war ended gives rise to the title "Destitute Patriots."

Thomas is a Bertie County native and also the author of "Divided Allegiances: Bertie County during the Civil War" (1996) and "Bertie in Blue: Experiences of Bertie County's Union Servicemen during the Civil War" (1998). Currently he is researching a history of Bertie County during the Revolutionary War.

"Destitute Patriots: Bertie County in the War of 1812" may be ordered from the Historical Publications Section (PR), 4622 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4622. For credit card orders call 919-733-7442, ext. 0, or visit the secure online store. The book is available also through local bookstores and Amazon.com.

The Historical Publications Section (http://www.ncpublications.com) is part of the Office of Archives and History within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. It offers more than 160 titles that reflect the rich variety of Tar Heel history. The section has high research and editorial standards for the books, articles, maps, and other materials that it publishes -- from popular paperback books about the Wright brothers, legends, lighthouses, pirates, highway historical markers and the Civil War, to resources for historical and genealogical researchers

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (http://www.ncculture.com) annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State Archives. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources champions North Carolina's creative industry, which employs nearly 300,000 North Carolinians and contributes more than $41 billion to the state's economy.

Press Contact

Contact: Fay Mitchell
Email: fay.mitchell@ncdcr.gov
Phone: 919-807-7389