A young soldier; mortally wounded; pens a last letter to his beloved father from the battlefield. That letter; along with 19 others from the Civil War; are reproduced here in facsimile for readers to open; remove; and read; just as the original recipients did. Conveying the personal drama behind the battles of the Civil War with unrivaled verisimilitude; this unusual volume reveals the triumphs; loneliness; fears; and struggles of ordinary men and women facing their role in history; such as a letter from a former slave to his wife; ringing with hope for a future of freedom together. Renowned Civil War historian Rod Gragg places each letter in its historical context with short essays describing the perspectives of both Confederate and Union troops. He also includes biographical information; when available; about the letter writers themselves. Archival photographs offer portraits of camp life; the soldiers; and the battlefields. An exceptionally compelling and accessible look at Civil War history; From Fields of Fire and Glory recreates the experience of living through this remarkable time and makes both a sound introduction to the era and a fitting complement to any Civil War library.
#1917623 in Books Stackpole Books 2002-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .90 x 6.30 x 9.08l; #File Name: 0811720586304 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Officers needed clean clothes; too.By Loren from MaineMy great grandmother didn't have the privilege to be married to an officer; but she was a laundress assigned to various companies. Many pictures were included in this book; which was very nice. Even though my great grandmother was assigned to a different area of the US and at an earlier time; the examples cited gave me an enough of an idea of what her life was like.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An interesting period pieceBy C. M. ClarkeThis is a very useful addition to the literature on the frontier army. It's shortcomings derive from the fact that Mrs. Biddle often did not accompany her husband due to her fragile health and its focus only on the gay and vibrant life of officers and their wives. Most of her recollections would not ring so true to enlisted men and their families; and so the book should not be taken (nor was it intended) as a well-rounded study of life at frontier posts.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Family historyBy CarleyThe author is my husband's great grandmother; so I bought copies for all of us. Not a work of art; but very interesting.
