An in-depth narrative about a young soldier from Clearfield; PA who enlisted in the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in 1862. Though a Quaker who was committed to pacifism; John F. Irwin also deeply opposed slavery and was hence committed to abolitionism. His abolitionism won out; and he served in the Army of the Potomac until the end in 1865. Three things defined the Civil War as a modern war: 1) the extensive use of railroads; 2) newspapers were represented on the battlefield by reporters; artists; and photographers; and 3) the telegraph system which made nearly instant communication available for the newspapers. Because of this availability of news from the front; a disappointing refrain in his letters home was "...but I don't need to go into details as you read all this in the newspapers." The 149th PVI regiment fought in all the major battles of the Army of the Potomac; battles such a Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; the Wilderness; Cold Harbor; the siege of Richmond-Petersburg. Toward the end they were sent to Elmira; NY to oversee the Rebel prison camp there and to escort new draftees to their assignments. John F. was eventually mustered out and discharged in July 1865.
#5702860 in Books Moore Frank 2009-03-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.40 x 6.00l; 1.95 #File Name: 1429016027620 pagesWomen of the War
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Mary L. MaysInteresting stories of Nursing during the Civil War.
