During the American Civil War and the years immediately following, thousands of Confederate sympathizers and former soldiers left the southern United States to seek exile in other lands. Evidence suggests that more Confederate soldiers went to British Honduras, presently known as Belize, than any other single site. This work is an in-depth look at the settlements established by former Confederates--what lured the Confederates there, what the trip from New Orleans was like, what life was like for immigrants in Belize City, the settlements at Toledo, New Richmond, northern British Honduras, Manattee and other settlements, and what Belize City was like at the height of the immigrant influx. Also included are lists of arrivals at the hotels and passenger lists from the ships; both were important in identifying prominent Confederates who sought refuge in British Honduras.

“fascinating”—The American Civil War Roundtable; “an intrinsically interesting narrative…detailed appendices…the text is fresh and lively, and crackles with the bluster of ‘unreconstructed’ (by their own account) southerners”—Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History; “Simmons has added appreciably to the scholarship surrounding the South during Reconstruction. Thorough...important and interesting...”—Louisiana History; “well-researched...an excellent history”—Colorado Libraries; “a genealogical treasure-trove”—The Civil War Courier; “appendices provide detailed lists of immigrants”—Civil War Book Review; “fascinating”—Crossfire; “ “very readable...skillfully retrieved a portion of Southern heritage, largely ignored by others”—The Clarion-Ledger; “insightful and provocative...in-depth”—The Belize Times; “well researched”—Dear Reader.

Donald C. Simmons, Jr., is a historian and the former dean of public service, leadership and graduate studies at Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell, South Dakota). He lives in Tupelo, Mississippi.