Book; Co. Aytch

[Mr King]

Co. Aytch is one of the best books I've read on the CW/WBTS!
Here's at least one website on the regiment Sam Watson fought in; 1st Tennessee Infantry.
http://www.williamsongrays.com/

 

[dvrmte]

I second that. Great book!

 

[rhp6033]

I think I was in junior high when I first read the book. Watkins was a natural story-teller in the greatist of southern traditions. His story of being invited to a family dinner and the hostess trying to sell them butter to take back with them was hilarious, in light of the fact that they hadn't been paid in months and had no food upon which to spread the butter.

 

[Tin cup]

You just have to take some of the things ol Sam says with a grain of salt.

Kevin Dally

 

[pattyjo]

I read it, great book, I also read "All for the Union" by Elisha Hunt Rhodes, great book also

 

[Robtweb1]

The best first hand account of the private soldier in the WBTS I've read to date. Some have accused him of spinning a yarn, so to speak, but even so, he had a great writing ability and an exceptional wit, so the picture he paints of his experiences is still unsurpassed.

 

[Tin cup]

His description of the brazen sun coming up before the Kennesaw Battle is classic!

His telling of the wounding/passing of W. A. Hughes is truly a sad story. I got to pay respects to Hughes at his marker in Griffin, Georgia a few years ago.

Sam's book is one every Civil War buff ought to have.

Kevin Dally

 

[Jojotater]

Yeah it's great. I reckon that's why Ken Burns borrowed from it so much.

 

[johan_steele]

Co. Aytch is one of the best books I've read on the CW/WBTS!
Here's at least one website on the regiment Sam Watson fought in; 1st Tennessee Infantry.
http://www.williamsongrays.com/

Whenever I think of a book written by a soldier this is one of the first that come to mind w/ A Soldier Boys Letters, All for Union & Hardtack & Coffee right alongside.

 

[donna]

Thanks for post, as will have to put this on my must read list. There are so many I need to read, just not enough time.

For first hand accounts I recommend:

"Johnny Green of the Orphan Brigade" The Journal of a Confederate Soldier

and

"One of Morgan's Men" Memoirs of Lieutenant John M. Porter of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry.

 

[Rob9641]

I have a hard copy and an audiobook of Co. Aytch, and I LOVE the audiobook. The one I have is narrated by Gregory B. Daimwood, and he makes you feel like Sam is actually talking to you. I highly recommend it (caveat - I have it on cassette tape from 1996 - I don't know if it's out digitally or on CD).

 

[Mr King]

Thank you for your replies!
And your books' suggestions too. A question...are they written similar to Sam Watkins? Coming from a individual's perspective and what he and his men went through?

 

[John Hartwell]

Years ago I recall seeing an ad in various magazines headlined "Sam Watkins a deserter?", or some such. It must have been for a book. Never looked into it at the time. Does anybody know what it was all about?

Cheers,

jno

 

[Nathanb1]

Looks like Rob's favorite is still available. This is a mouth-watering list if you still have a cassette player. I want the Vandiver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoop!

http://www.allofsouthamerica.com/bks_others/tapes.htm

 

[JohnnyRebCSA]

Kevin, thanks for the picture of W.A. Hughes' stone.

The butter ....... the reason she was trying to sell it to Sam was because he kept 'diving' in on it so much. The lady began to gently scold him because he was taking so much and finally told him how much it was by the pound. The only thing she could do next would be to throw him out!

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

Whenever I think of a book written by a soldier this is one of the first that come to mind w/ A Soldier Boys Letters, All for Union & Hardtack & Coffee right alongside.

Plus, the semi-historical account. Corporal Si Klegg and his Pard. I have a 1st edition of that. Fictional unit, places and men, but written by a line officer that lived and fought through the conflict. If you read carefully, you will know what battles and places he is really talking about.