New book explores the forgotten story of the Welsh in the American Civil War
A new book exploring the American Civil War through the eyes of a Welsh historian and traveller will be officially launched at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea this month.
America, the Civil War and Me and its Welsh-language edition, America a’r Rhyfel Cartref a Fi – Taith i galon y Cymry yn America, by Dr Huw Griffiths of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), combine history, travel and personal reflection to uncover the often-overlooked Welsh story behind one of the most significant conflicts in American history.
The book grew out of Huw’s doctoral research into the Welsh in the American Civil War and a seven-month journey across the United States in 1998, during which he visited archives, libraries and battlefields as he traced the experiences of Welsh people caught up in the conflict.
His journey took him from Boston and New York to Washington, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Antietam and Appomattox. Along the way, he encountered people of Welsh descent, explored historical records and discovered stories that reveal the significant contribution made by Welsh immigrants to nineteenth-century America and the Civil War.
Drawing on Welsh-American newspapers, letters and other contemporary sources, the book explores how Welsh immigrants experienced and responded to the conflict, including their strong opposition to slavery.
But this is not simply a history of the Civil War. Written from the perspective of both historian and traveller, America, the Civil War and Me brings together historical research with personal experiences, observations and encounters from Huw’s journey across America.
Dr Huw Griffiths, Senior lecturer in Education Studies at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said:
“This book brings together two journeys - my own journey across America and my journey into the history of the Welsh people who found themselves caught up in the American Civil War. I hope it will encourage readers to look at the Civil War from a different perspective and to discover the fascinating and often forgotten connections between Wales and America.”
Huw’s interest in the subject began with his doctoral research into the Welsh contribution to the history of the American Civil War. His later move into higher education at UWTSD provided the opportunity to revisit that research and combine it with the experiences and memories of his journey across America.
At the heart of the book is a story of people and places and of the ways in which the past continues to shape communities and identities today.
The book’s exploration of the American Civil War also considers wider questions about freedom, equality, slavery and the role of government. As Huw writes, the conflict was ultimately a battle over ideas that continue to resonate today, while the Welsh were “deeply caught up in all this hullabaloo”.
The Welsh-language edition, America a’r Rhyfel Cartref a Fi – Taith i galon y Cymry yn America, offers Welsh-speaking readers the opportunity to discover this important part of the Welsh-American story in Welsh. Both editions are published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.
The official launch of America, the Civil War and Me and America a’r Rhyfel Cartref a Fi will take place at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, at 6.30pm on 15 September. A separate launch event will also be held in Carmarthen on Wednesday 16 September at 6.30pm at Yr Egin, giving local readers an opportunity to hear more about the book and Huw’s research. The additional event reflects Huw’s strong connections with the county of Carmarthenshire.
The event is an opportunity to hear more about Huw’s journey, the research behind the books and the remarkable stories of the Welsh people who found themselves at the heart of the American Civil War.
Events details
Swansea launch
What: Book launch – America a’r Rhyfel Cartref a Fi and America, the Civil War and Me
Who: Dr Huw Griffiths
Where: Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea, SA1 1RR
When: 6.30pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026
Carmarthen launch
What: Book launch – America a’r Rhyfel Cartref a Fi and America, the Civil War and Me
Who: Dr Huw Griffiths
Where: Yr Egin, Carmarthen
When: 6.30pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076