I really enjoy reading about the civil war from regiment and brigade perspectives. With that being said, here is my list of books:
The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the 1st Minnesota Regiment
My Brave Boys: To War with Col. Cross and the Fighting 5th (NH)
A Scythe of Fire: A Civil War Story of the 8th Georgia Regiment
Remember that you are Jerseymen (poorly edited though)
I've just started reading a book about The Iron Brigade, with books about The Philadelphia Brigade, 124th NY, 83rd and 150th PA and 6th Wisconsin waiting in the wings.
Obviously I could use some suggestions on interesting Confederate regimental and brigade novels, but I'll definately take suggestions for Union regiments and brigades as well.
Just my two cents,
Bart
__________________ "Thank You....Noooo."
Major Charles Emerson Winchester III M.A.S.H. 4077th
Jersey: The Orphan Brigade and Lee's Tigers, although not necessarily regimental, make good reads. I was taken as well with Blue Lightning on Wilder's Brigade. Davis did the Orphan Brigade, I can't see the others because my "unit" books are on the top shelf and I'm having trouble looking up. This week it is not a rubberneck, more like a tube full of empty peanut shells.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
30th Ill. I prefer Eastern, but I definately want to learn more of the Western Theater. So anything that you could suggest to peek my interest in either theater would be fantabulous.
Ole, thank you for welcoming me to the forum and for your help. Those books are on my list.
Bart
__________________ "Thank You....Noooo."
Major Charles Emerson Winchester III M.A.S.H. 4077th
Ambrose, Stephen E.,Upton and the Army, Louisiana State University Press, 1964.
Beatty, John The Citizen Soldier The Memoirs of a Civil War Volunteer, Bison Books 1998.
Billings, John D, Hard Tack and Coffee, Konecky & Konecky, 1888.
Boyd, Cyrus F. The Civil War Diary of Cyrus F. Boyd, LSU Press 1953.
Johnson, Mark W. That Body of Brave Men, Da Capo Press, 2003.
Rhodes, Elisha Hunt, All for the Union, Orion Books, 1985.
Watkins, Sam R., “Co Aytch” A Side Show of the Big Show, 1962.
Wert, Jeffry D., A Brotherhood of Valor: the Common Soldiers of the Stonewall Brigade, C.S.A., and the Iron Brigade, U.S.A., Simon & Schuster, 1999.
Wiley, Bell Irvin, The Life of Billy Yank, Louisiana State University Press, 1978.
Wiley, Bell Irvin, The Life of Johnny Reb, Louisiana State University Press, 1978.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Jersey; there are a good number of various diaries and biographies; I generally try to avoid the high muckity mucks biogrphies but occasionally one sticks out. I'm a big fan of Upton's Biography & I enjoyed Beaty's autbiography. Billings, Rhodes & Watkins are priceless works and of coarse Wiley's Life books are unmatched in scope or accomplishments.
Good Luck on your quest; you'll hopefully find some to interest you on the site.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Jersey, good to have you on the board. Looking forward to more of your posts. I read "The Last Full Measure" about the 1st MN when I lived in Rochester. I also drove up to Cannon Falls to see Colonel Colvill's grave and monument. Great book. Couldn't put it down.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
That is a good book, as is one called Pale Horse at Plum Run: The First Minnesota at Gettysburg by Brian Leehann.
I live not too far from Cannon Falls, MN and every Memorial Day when I go to visit my parent's graves, I stop and leave flowers for Colonel Colvill at his grave. That grave site was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s. My grandfather, a civil engineer for the state of Minnesota, and working on a stretch of road going through Cannon Falls at the time, was asked to draw up plans of the town for the secret service in advance of the President and Mrs. Coolidge's visit. He obliged, of course, but everyone in town was warned of the 'big crowds' coming, so to just stay home. My grandmother remembered getting a good place to stand on the side of the street (a lot of others were scared off and stayed home!), watching the President and his wife ride by. She said Mrs. Coolidge had the largest hat with huge gorgeous plumes.
As kids we were brought to 'visit' the Colonel often.
.
__________________ "Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage." - R. E. Lee
My interest in the 1st Minnesota started after I watched a Civil War Journal over ten or so years ago. I can't remember if it was about the 1st Minnesota or about General Hancock (I think it was this one) and the show described their charge at Gettysburg. I wondered, "why the heck wasn't that in the book and movie with if not instead of the 20th Maine (no offense intended there to anything or anyone). I then read up and did some research on the 1st Minnesota, found the book and VIOLA!!! Then on my first trip to Gettysburg ever this year (I'm a late bloomer when it comes to traveling) , I had to find their monument on Cemetary Ridge and look out at the battlefield from the Pennsylvania Monument. Pretty darn amazing!!!
Bart
__________________ "Thank You....Noooo."
Major Charles Emerson Winchester III M.A.S.H. 4077th
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