2 comments about In Camp and Battle With the Washington Artillery of New Orleans.

1. Very well written account of the Washington Artllery's engagements during the Civil War. Describes all major actions from the First Battle of Bull Run to the final surrender at Appomatox. You feel so close to the lives of the troops; makes you marvel at all the struggles and hardships that were endured. A must read for all Civil War buffs. First published in 1885 by Ticknor and Company of Boston. Reissued in a limited edition that is an exact reproduction of the original, with a few additions (an Introduction by Kenneth Urquhart, three additional illustrations, and the list of present-day officers) by The Pelican Publishing Company of New Orleans, June 1964.



2. I was given the original hard back by my father Richard W. Walton Sr. (Great Grandson of Col. J.B. Walton, Commander in Chief of the Washington Artillery). Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down, finished it in the same afternoon. I would have enjoyed reading it over and over through the years, but could not due to the age and condition of the original (copyright, 1885) I have read everything that I could get my hands on involving the American Civil War. After reading this book, I feel that I owe thanks to William Miller Owen for taking me back in time. I felt the experience as if I were there. As I came to know the men of the Battalion from day one upon their depature from New Orleans enroute to Richmond VA., I felt remorse in reading of the death of so many of them.

No comments about The Passion of Abby Hemenway: Memory, Spirit, and the Making of History.

No comments about Civil War Leadership and Mexican War Experience.

5 comments about A Mississippi Rebel in the Army of Northern Virginia: The Civil War Memoirs of Private David Holt.

1. Few memoirs are both as entertaining and informative as this one. It is similar in many ways to "Co. Aytch" by Sam Watkins, the memoir quoted so heavily in the Ken Burns PBS series. One especially valuable aspect of Holt's reminiscences is that they begin well before the Civil War and afford a glimpse a pre-war life among the middle class in Mississippi. The editors have done a fine job of annotating the memoir, identifying individuals and events as well as pointing out Holt's occasional errors. As with most works of its type, the book deals more vividly with the happenings in camp and on the march between battles than with the battles themselves. Its chief weakness is that Holt wrote his memoirs many years after the war, so his recollections are inevitably tainted by things he learned afterward. It is recommended for any reader interested in the Civil War.



2. Holt's memoirs are entertaining as well as informative. This book becomes hard to put down as you read. Very good details of life in the Army of Northern Virginia. He gives the "personal" side of the war so often left out by other memoirs. Reading this book was like having Holt tell you the story himself. Excellent.



3. Holt really conveys the attitudes, feelings, deep convictions, and courage displayed by those who fought in the war. (Not only on the Rebel side, but also on the Yankee side.) He also goes into some of the other reasons besides slavery, that caused the South to secede. Very well written and extremely interesting. It makes you feel as if you're right beside Holt following him as they go down in history. Also shows how life for the Confederate soldier was awfully harsh in the latter part of the war. Holt doesn't have shoes and is walking through snow along with men who are dying of starvation. Holt entertains readers by detailing what he and his group would do for fun, ie., sneaking away from camp to meet girls, etc.

   I knew Holt was in the 16th Miss. Co. K. I was hoping it would mention Co. H where my relative fought, but it didn't.

   Holt leaves for the war as a boy, but returns a man.

   Great book. I highly recommend it.




4. I've read about a dozen or so soldier memoirs/diary accounts, and this one ranks as one of the poorest. I find most of these have a generic nature to them - seems like if you've read one, you've read them all! Mr. Holt wrote this in his latter years, so Goodness knows how the years have treated his memory of things, although a fine editing job by Cockrell and Ballard keep things on the straight and narrow. Much of the memoirs involve Holt's escapades that have little to do with the war effort. Lot of it reads like a Mark Twain tale, with Holt often relating some of the hijinks and sit-com like situations he experienced as a soldier.



5. It was difficult for me to put this book down and I finally stayed up all night and finished it. Holt's description of the hardships endured by Southern soldiers are so realistic and makes us appreciate their dedication. I was able to understand what my ancestor endured by reading this account. I recommend this book for Union and Confederates alike. It brings out the very best and the very worst in all of us. I have read many soldiers accounts of the war but this is the best and also the most entertaining. After reading this book I have revived my interest in the WBTS.

No comments about Confessions of a Missouri Guerrilla: The Autobiography of Cole Younger.

1 comments about The Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 1861-1865.

1. 
   This is a superb regimental history of the Second Vermont Volunteers, about as detailed and informative as one could expect. The regiment participated in the war from First Bull Run to Lee's surrender at Appomattox, seeing their last action near Farmville. Oddly (and it's these kinds of fascinating little details that are sprinkled throughout the book that make it so interesting), the last man in the 2nd Vermont to be wounded (Thomas Broughton) was also one of the first, taking a minie ball just above the knee at Bull Run. Other major engagements include the Peninsula in 1862, Savage's Station, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, and Petersburg.
   
   The thoroughness of the book is truly astounding. Zeller cites from official records as well as individual diaries kept by the soldiers and letters that have come to light. The book is also well-illustrated with many photographs, and there are many maps included as well. Finally, a complete roster of the 1,800+ men who served in the regiment, including many particulars about each man, is also part of the book. Not only is the book a definitive account of the 2nd Vermont, but since the regiment served in so many important campaigns and engagements in the eastern theatre, it's also a mini history of that part of the war. It's an excellent addition to the serious Civil War student's library. [McFarland & Company offers an excellent array of Civil War books, many of them regimental histories like this one. Visit their website at www.mcfarlandpub.com.]

3 comments about The Struck Eagle: A Biography of Brigadier General Micah Jenkins, and a History of the Fifth South Carolina Volunteers and the Palmetto Sharpshooters.

1. This book was a delight to read and the author, James Baldwin, went to great depths to research his subject matter. The biography of Brigadier General Micah Jenkins went hand in hand with the story of the 5th South Carolina Volunteers and the Palmetto Sharpshooters. I found that the maps provided were detailed and easy to follow and helped the reader to follow the narrative of that particular event or action the author was describing. I did notice that there was a different point of view as to who was at fault for the Confederate failure during the battle of Lookout Mountain fought during October 28-29 1863. In this book the author places the blame upon Brigadier General Evander M. Law, (pages 233-241). In Wiley Sword's account of this incident in his book 'Mountains Touched with Fire' (pages 134-144), he places the blame more towards Micah Jenkins. But either way, he was a gifted leader and a brave man and one who shared a similiar fate to many leaders who lead from the front during the Civil War. Overall a well researched and presented book covering the many battles of this man and these units.



2. You have chanced upon the reviews of one of the best of all the Civil War Biographies! In fact, if it wern't for Robertson's bio on Stonewall this would top them all. Although Jenkins' is little known outside of South Carolina his exploits were no less awesome then some of the better known generals from the South. Micah fought in some of the most ferocious battles of the Civil War, and always led from the front. Near my house in Columbia is a museum where you can see his broken sword and jacket pierced by numerous bullets that he wore during the Seven Days' Battle around Richmond. This battle is particularly interesting and extremely well described. This book will not bore and is not overwhelmingly biased as some Civil War books tend to be, but it is a joy to read and will definitely be a great addition to anyone's library!



3. My interest in Micah Jenkins was tweaked while reading "From Manassas to Appomattox" by General James Longstreet who wrote of him repeatedly and testified to his faith. After a struggle to obtain the book and having read other reader reviews here, I had an expectation of a wonderful read about a faithful, honorable and courageous warrior.
   
   What I read was an informational text gathered from various sources, which the author does freely disclose but that left me void of learning but little about the man who many others have praised for his fortitude and grace.
   
   Unfortunately there were not enough sources that had actual Micah Jenkins content in them. Lots of references to him, but not enough of him. The author states that there was some license taken when there were not the details needed to finish a particular substory. If that were the case, then the readers would be able to be touch more by the man in a historical novel than a biography that contains very little from the subject himself.
   
   Though I read through the book, and realize that the author, a descendant of Jenkins family, did a great deal of research there were no real ruminative or energizing or reverence (Eugene Peterson)created in the words and the life of this warrior of South Carolina. That is a tragedy as his faith was testified to be close to that of Stonewall Jackson or Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain who both lived in "The Hands of Providence" by choice and word.
   
   The book is informative about what Jenkins was involved in, but as a biography missed the mark to give life to the man.
   
   I had some concern as the "Struck Eagle" was pulled from the words of Lord Byron who clearly developed those words from Aeschylus in the old Libyan fable .... Once an Eagle.
   
   LivingtheDream
   Turn the Key and Smile

1 comments about A Mennonite Journal 1862-1865: A Father's Account of the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley.

1. This book is interesting to Civil War buffs because it talks about the battles that happen near his farm and he gives detailed accounts of taxes paid and items that were impressed from him by Confederate troups. There are some gaps in the dates. It would also be interesting for anyone doing Mennonite genealogy or research in the Shenandoah Valley because he talks about the annual conference and gives details about marriages, deaths in his congregation, etc.

No comments about Getting Used to Being Shot at: The Spence Family Civil War Letters.

No comments about Jeb Stuart (Civil War Military Leaders).