In Spartan Band (coined from a chaplain's eulogistic poem) author Thomas Reid traces the Civil War history of the 13th Texas Cavalry; a unit drawn from eleven counties in East Texas. The cavalry regiment organized in the spring of 1862 but was ordered to dismount once in Arkansas. The regiment gradually evolved into a tough; well-trained unit during action at Lake Providence; Fort De Russy; Mansfield; Pleasant Hill; and Jenkins' Ferry; as part of Maj. Gen. John G. Walker's Texas division in the Trans-Mississippi Department. Reid researched letters; documents; and diaries gleaned from more than one hundred descendants of the soldiers; answering many questions relating to their experiences and final resting places. He also includes detailed information on battle casualty figures; equipment issued to each company; slave ownership; wealth of officers; deaths due to disease; and the effects of conscription on the regiment's composition.
#2817672 in Books Univ Tennessee Press 2012-07-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.42 x .65 x 8.99l; .93 #File Name: 1572339357312 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Insight into a soldier's life through his personal letters homeBy DouglasIn a letter to his father Irby Goodwin Scott states that if he is killed that his mother should not grieve for him because he died for her freedom and rights..."How could I stand back and no one in the field to fight for my family; shall others do it all and we lay on our oars and when our independence is gained receive as much benefit as any one and do nothing towards it." This gives you tremendous insight into the hearts and minds of the soldiers; both Confederate and Federal that fought in this the bloodiest of wars. The editor does a wonderful job researching the material for this book and I give it five stars!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Definitely 5 STARS!By JHelmsLetters; Maps; photographs; troop movements; detailed descriptions - definitely one of the best written and most thoroughly researched military history books available. I am personally aware of the rugged mountainous terrain of Pocahontas County (West Virginia). I can only imagine the austere conditions and the hardships these troops must have endured. Don't overlook the appendix in the back of the book: Roster of Company G; Putnam Light Infantry; 12th Georgia Infantry Regiment. That; in itself; will keep you up late into the night.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A MUST READ FOR ANY HISTORY LOVERBy CustomerThis book gives insight into the civil war. You see this young man; Irby Scott; mature from a young private to a war worn officer. You can tell in his letters that he loves his family; his slaves; and his home. I learned more about the war between the states from this compilation of letters than I ever learned in high school or college. Every history lover should read this book.
