Rare among Civil War correspondence; the collection of Union Sergeant George F. Cram's letters reveals an educated young man's experiences as part of Sherman's army. Advancing through the Confederacy with the 105th Illinois Infantry Regiment; Cram engaged in a number of key conflicts; such as Resaca; Peachtree Creek; Kennesaw; and Sherman's "march to the sea."A highly literate college student who carried a copy of Shakespeare in his knapsack; Cram wrote candid letters that convey insights into the social dimensions of America's Civil War. With a piercing objectivity; optimism; and a dry sense of humor; Cram conscientiously reported the details of camp life. His vivid depictions of the campaigns throughout Alabama; Georgia; and the Carolinas contribute new insights into the battle scenes and key Union leaders.Cram and several of his compatriots adhered to a principled code of personal conduct (no smoking; swearing; drinking; or gambling); striving to maintain integrity and honor in the face of war's hardships and temptations. Influenced by the abolitionist values of his community and college; Cram's observations on the effects of slavery and on the poverty of many of the Southerners are especially illuminating.Civil War scholars and general readers alike will learn much from Cram's discoveries and observations—from his sympathy for poor whites to his grudging respect for the Confederates—that reveal the character of a young man maturing at war.
#2334031 in Books ABC-CLIO 1999-06-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.02 x 1.31 x 8.50l; 3.70 #File Name: 0874368847580 pages
Review
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Connecting threads of historyBy Mercedes J. VerdejoI do not consider myself a scholar or expert of any type; just someone who is interested in how the history of slavery effected changes in cultures. I found that this book was very impressive with the amount of information that it covered. It was easy to read; the structure allowed me to follow the timelines in a very natural way. I did not feel the book was formal and condascending in its approach to presenting the information. I felt that the book would benefit adults and younger students alike. There is such a wealth of world history inside this book. The illustrations were a great complement to the printed information as well. Overall; I think this a great book to learn from.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy nada hesteri love this book. I borrowed this book from library before i decided to purchase it.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great buy!!By Kasey HendrixThis is an amazing book. Goes through the whole history of Slavery all over the world. This book has great a look too. Great buy!
