ebooks The Bloody 85th: The Letters of Milton McJunkin; a Western Pennsylvania Soldier in the Civil War by Richard Sauers in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. MILTON E. MCJUNKIN - A HONORABLE CIVIL WAR SOLDIER; WHO WAS A MAN OF COURAGE!By TeresaI saw this book on a bookstore shelf; and the picture of the handsome; civil war soldier; named Milton McJunkin; on the cover of the book; it caught my eye! And then I realized that the book had personal letters; and drawings of Milton's that he had written about his life as a soldier during the civil war. I was hooked; I had to have this book! This book is also a great civil war study and reference tool. Milton's letters gave me such a unique; real; outlook on what he went through as a soldier. He was a young and handsome 24 year old farmer; who lived near the village of Bentleyville; in west Pike Run Township; Washington County; Pennsylvania; who volunteered for the 85th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. That organization had the distinction of serving in both the Army of the Potomac; and the Army of the James. Milton's letters provide a different view of the war; Milton and his comrades served their time around Washington; and saw action on the Peninsula at Williamsburg; and Seven Pines (Fair Oaks)! And they also participated in expeditions to Suffolk; Virgina; and to Goldsboro; North Carolina. This regiment being a veteran one; provided outstanding help and support; for General John G. Foster's force; Creating a diversion in favor of the General Burnside of Virginia. The 85th saw fighing at White Hall; Kinston; and outside of Goldsboro. Then they boarded steamers at Moorehead City; then proceeded to South Carolina; to spend more than a year in operations against the city of Charleston; they were in a one week siege against Fort Wagner on Morris Island. They were also part of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign; the siege of Richmond; and Petersburg; and the battle of Deep Bottom. My favorite things that Milton mentions in his letters; is how excited he was to be a soldier; and how he spoke of his mother; and family; and how he wanted them to give him a update about a horse on their farm; And how he hoped one day; to marry in the first part of May! Milton loved to receive letters and food boxes from home; and he would beg and ask his family to write more letters; and send more food boxes! His family must have loved him very much; to have saved and kept all his written letters; for it has enabled us hundreds of years later; to be able to read his precious and very special letters!( Milton with his handsome self; and his letters moved me; and touched my heart!) Milton said that it felt good to see people come to cheer them as they marched into town! I loved the part where he stood on top of the captiol; and said that he could see as far as the eye could see! Milton mentions in one of his letters; that he walked over part of a battleground; and he said that it was a hard sight to see men torn; and mangled. In Milton's letters you see him as a young eager soldier full of excitement; to a weary veteran of war! In his letters Milton made me feel what he felt; and made me see what he saw! Milton I believe was a good and strong; and caring man; who believed in God; and asked for everyone to pray for him; and the other soldiers. He was a very dedicated soldier and he never neglected his soldier duties! Milton was over 6 feet; he was one of the tallest men; in his Regiment; and in some of his letters to his sister; you can tell that he had a sense of humor; and he probably was a very likeable man; and he must have been a favorite around the camp. When Milton first became a soldier; he tolded his family that he was more content with his life; than ever before; after joining up. Milton was a true American; and a honorable soldier; who had alot of courage! At the end of Milton's story; you find out that he got real sick; and he was finally given a furlough! Milton died on his way home at the Soldiers' Rest in Harrisburg; Pennsylvania and that just broke my heart; my tears started falling! I highly recommend this book; when you hear of the civil war; after you read this book; you will remember Milton McJunkin! Milton was a very brave; and special man; and I commend his awesome courage! He deserves to be remembered!