ePub UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS by Pharris Deloach Johnson in History

Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Soldiers' Point of ViewBy B. JacksonI first read this book several years ago and it prompted my own interest in researching family history in the civil war. After doing so and reading many soldiers' accounts and their personal correspondence and diaries at the Emory University Manuscripts and Rare Books Library; I recently re-read Col Johnson's book. Under the Southern Cross stands up extremely well. Col. Johnson has done an amazing job of editing the various Bradwell papers into a very readable chronological narrative. The book makes no pretense of being a broadly researched history; it is a narrative of the war as seen through the eyes; experiences and opinions of Bradwell. The book rings with accuracy when read in juxtaposition with other sources. The details of an ordinary soldier's camp life in the early chapters and the matter of fact narrative of this soldier's experiences with the cold; heat; wet; hunger; sickness and battlefield experiences; from The Seven Days to Appomattox; are intensely interesting. There are many high altitude; all encompassing histories of the major civil war engagements but few books written from the perspective of a soldier on the front line. That this one was actually written by a soldier and delivered to us in a laboriously edited form by Co. Johnson is a real treat for anyone interested in civil war history; especially regarding the Army of Northern Virginia.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Enjoyable; well writtenBy Delta 1011It is well written and provides an inside look from an enlisted man's perspective. My ancestors were in this unit so it meant so much to me.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Under the Southern Cross : Soldier Life With Gordon BradwellBy CustomerAn excellent book. Very well written and made to order for those who have an appetite for more Civil War history. It is well-organized in content and truly a remarkable record of the Civil War written from the perspective of a Private in the Confederate army who was educated and had the ability to put his insights down in excellent form. Col. Johnson has done a superb job of editing the material left by Private Bradwell. It is a treasure-find for those interested in Southern history; in particular those of us in South Georgia.