In 1861; as President Lincoln called for volunteers to defend the Union; Thomas Christie wrote to his father; voicing desires shared by many an enlistee: "I do want to 'see the world;' to get out of the narrow circle in which I have always lived; to 'make a man of myself;' and to have it to say in days to come that I; too; had a part in this great struggle."As it turned out; Thomas had an excellent partner in his quest: his brother William. Both signed on with the First Minnesota Light Artillery; working as "cannoneers;" responsible for loading and aiming big guns at the enemy. The First Minnesota saw action in major battles at Shiloh; Corinth; Vicksburg; and Atlanta. But the adventurers also endured the monotony of camp life; the hunger of poor supply lines; and; in William's case; the challenges of enemy capture. The ups and downs; the doubts and thrills are recounted from their differing perspectives in this collection of letters to worried parents; a winsome sister; and a younger brother eager to join in the fight. Their vivid epistles are enhanced by the familial connection of brothers in arms who eventually did see the world—and returned home changed.
#3570956 in Books Kent State Univ Pr 1990-07Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.25 x .50l; #File Name: 0873384059194 pages
Review
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Not a fool; but Carroll would love modern day media attention!By Cheyenne AnnI discovered Anna Carroll while reading William Safire's Freedom. I could tell he liked this character; so I did some research. Anna Carroll was an attention seeker. She inflated her importance and contributions even a decade after the war. She did this for two reasons: attention and money. Never married; well educated; she was the typical bluestocking of the day. No money; no man. Every interaction Carroll had with politicos of the time were expanded to overstate the relationship and her contribution to the politician's success. I doubt she had more than a couple face to face interactions with Lincoln; much less any serious discussion about war strategy. Always one to take the opportunity to polish her image; Anna Ella Carroll was not hesitant to play the "helpless woman" card whenever it seemed advantageous.This book is well written. No author's preconceptions--just hypothesis based on letters and publications.
