audiobook Boy Soldier of the Confederacy: The Memoir of Johnnie Wickersham by From Southern Illinois University Press in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Confederate Captain at FourteenBy Joel A. MooreJohnnie left for the war at age fourteen. The war exploded around him without warning in his first experience in combat and when it was over; he reported to General Price to describe the affair; and was commissioned a captain. It was decades after the war that he wrote his memoirs for the benefit of his grandson. A fascinating record of the Civil War by one who was but a teenager at the time.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. thank you for sharing this story with us as i really enjoyed it. i do agree that it can be ...By Jerri GarofaloIt is interesting to read memoirs such as these and to gain insights from our country's the past. This is especially true when it is about a youth growing up during war time; and his becoming a soldier. thank you for sharing this story with us as i really enjoyed it. i do agree that it can be hard to know when or why someone embellishes the fact. It is very likely the author is right about adjusting the truth; but we really don't know; unless an obvious lie.My Wickersham ancestors pioneered; settled; and lived just a short distance across the boarder of Missouri (in Yellville Arkansas;) where young Johnny speaks of joining the Confederate Army. As a historian and family researcher; I can vouch for the fact that family lore can get a bit strange. . Despite this; i want to also share that I know that as hard as the military tried to keep good records; it just did not always happen. i have had similar problems finding individuals i knew had fought in the Civil War. Many men fought; who are no on rolls as well. Why and how this happened I can not say; but I have seen this on several occasions. ad sometimes i find them later ;once even under a different name. I have read stories from journals; letters; and by journalists about my family that relate amazing stories that are bit hard to believe. One such story about my ancestor Daniel Boone Wickersham. this happened during the Civil War; and how he was taken from his home in the middle of the night by Jay Hawkers; who wanted his money. When he would not tell them where his wealth was stashed; they hung him. Amazingly; he did not die. They ended up lynching him three times with no success. They then took his wife; Betsy Dozier Wickersham and hung her with a rope dangling her over a fire; scorching the hem of her dress and severly burning her feet. She did not tell them that she had confederate bills in the hem of her dress which were getting singed. Old Daniel; tried to rescue her and one of the Jay Hawkers shot him. Sometime after finding this story in a small publication at a Chester PA library; I visited my elderly aunt in CA . while growing up in a poor farming family; her father had often told of his family back in AR; including the story about how grandma Besty had difficulty walking due to her badly burned feet during the Civil War by Bushwhackers. These ruthless men committed many horrific murders that are difficult to believe someone would do for very little money or spite. Life can be strangely unbelievable especially during war.I would also like to address the Editors question of "why John Wickersham had not written his war memories until later in life? " My uncle fought in the 82nd Airborne during WWII and was in many well known battles. His story is like an amazing book or movie; and I have wondered why he never wrote his memories. i am now trying to hel him with this. First off; when he finally got home he focused on getting back to a normal life; getting a job; dating; falling in love and marrying; raising a family; etc. Life has a way of doing that to all of us and preventing us from doing other things we want. for many it is hard to review and relive those difficult war time events of death and dying. We have a lot more luxuries today.The Editor questions why he did not mention the clearing of and burning the town. John may not have agreed with the burning of the homes and town;or was too embarrassed to admit being a part of such a thing. Also just because the company was in a patellar locations does't mean everyone is there doing the same thing. There are various reasons a soldier might be sent off on other duties.A phrase I once read and like; is that; " war is different to each man depending what he sees when looking down the sights of his rifle." This is very true. In the mayhem of war; the senses are heightened; and we find we behave differently than we expected. It is my belief that one should just read the book and try to reserve judgement but know people do sometimes embellished. Even well known people stretch the truth sometimes.