The BEST Memoir of the War?

[formerYank]

My vote for best memoir: Passing of the Armies by Joshua Chamberlain


Reminiscences of the Civil War by John B. Gordon is also superb.

J.B. Hood's Advance and Retreat is one of the worst.

[samgrant]

I've only read Grant and Sheridan in full. While Sheridan may have been a great soldier, he was a poor story teller, unlike Grant who was good at both. I have read bits of Gordon, and he does tell a good story. One day I'll get around to reading it all. I've been put off on reading Chamberlain by numerous reports that it is exceedingly self-serving (by that I mean more self-serving than the average memoir, all of which, by their very nature, naturally put the best side of the author on display).

(We'll probabably get alot of votes for Sam Watkins.)

[johan_steele]

Rhodes, Elisha Hunt, All for the Union, Orion Books, 1985.

From private to Colonel...


I have another by a Wisconsin soldier of the 25th Wi. I can't recall his name but it is one of those few I literally could not put down. When I get home I'll post the title.

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

Rhodes, Elisha Hunt, All for the Union, Orion Books, 1985.

Do diaries and letters count as 'memoirs'?

I know some of you think I'm being picky, but they are different, and maybe we could have separate threads for each.

Diaries (and letters) tend to be more personal and less self-serving as they were most likely not meant for publication.





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[formerYank]

An appalling oversight on my part.
Watkins portrayal of Franklin and Kennesaw Mountain/Dead Angle are stunning, shocking and disturbing. There are so many excellent memoirs of the War. Chamberlain's is stunning and beautifully, stylishly written. It is not overly self-serving, as Hood's most certainly is. Hood,the very illustration of the "Peter Principle". Watkins knew this and commented on it in the book. The troops knew that Hood was a terrible army commander. They'd have preferred old Joe to come on back, or better yet, Cleburne should have got the command. But Mary Chestnut told it right when she talked of Hood in Richmond and we know all about his back-stabbing politicking against Johnston. Davis made some horrible choices, horrible. Braxton Bragg. Hood commanding the AofT. Davis has so much to answer for, but when you read the Confederate Veteran magazine, the vets were very concerned that he was honored, and not mistreated.
Something of a rant, my apologies.
Either way, Sam Watkins' book Company Aytch is a must read. Grant's memoirs are also superb.
Thanks, everybody.

[Susan Sweet]

I so enjoyed reading Sam Watkins Company Aytch. I have the new edition on my Christmas list . I have to admit I have not read many other memoirs from the Civil War Period . But I tell everyone to read Sam Watkins.
Susan

[matthew mckeon]

I agree that all the above memoirs are great. A suggestion: "Black Life in an Army Regiment" by Thomas W. Higginson.

[matthew mckeon]

I agree that all the above memoirs are great. A suggestion: "Black Life in an Army Regiment" by Thomas W. Higginson.

[johan_steele]

Cooke, Chauncy H., Soldier Boy’s Letters, Rainbow Press, 1939.

I mentioned it earlier... I couldn't put it down.

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by johan_steele

Cooke, Chauncy H., Soldier Boy’s Letters, Rainbow Press, 1939.

I mentioned it earlier... I couldn't put it down.

Must be out of print?

Or might it also be titled "A Badger Boy in Blue"?

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