NF Does every regiment deserve a book?

[DRW]

What's the best way to commemorate that regiment you've been researching - especially the ones that aren't really exciting? "My" three year regiment (the 6th New York Heavy Artillery) mustered in Sept. 1862, but doesn't make Fox's fighting 300 list. It didn't spend a whole lot of time in the front lines and missed all the '62 and '63 battles. It didn't fight until the Overland Campaign, and even then was mostly on the periphery being shuttled around as a reserve unit. It did have a few active days in combat (Harris Farms, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and a disaster at Cedar's Creek, but not really a decisive role in any of those). There are some good, unpublished sources but these mostly talk about the day-to-day issues common to every regiment: training, picket duty, a lot of sickness, complaints about pay, officers backstabbing and bickering over promotions, etc. Is anyone going to read a narrative of this regiment other than a few descendants and local history enthusiasts? Or is a website a better idea? Or something else? I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

 

[huskerblitz]

What's the best way to commemorate that regiment you've been researching - especially the ones that aren't really exciting? "My" three year regiment (the 6th New York Heavy Artillery) mustered in Sept. 1862, but doesn't make Fox's fighting 300 list. It didn't spend a whole lot of time in the front lines and missed all the '62 and '63 battles. It didn't fight until the Overland Campaign, and even then was mostly on the periphery being shuttled around as a reserve unit. It did have a few active days in combat (Harris Farms, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and a disaster at Cedar's Creek, but not really a decisive role in any of those). There are some good, unpublished sources but these mostly talk about the day-to-day issues common to every regiment: training, picket duty, a lot of sickness, complaints about pay, officers backstabbing and bickering over promotions, etc. Is anyone going to read a narrative of this regiment other than a few descendants and local history enthusiasts? Or is a website a better idea? Or something else? I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

Welcome to the club....

I've researched the 22nd Kentucky for almost 10 years. I have thousands of computer files from newspapers and primary sources. I have (what I consider) the most accurate roster on them by combing through each man's CMSR. Own almost every book I can find that mentions them. I have traveled to the Kentucky and National Archives to photograph every document I can find. And I've traveled every place the regiment was during the war. I'm still mapping every man's grave site.

But regimental histories don't sell, I'm not a web designer. Yeah, we're stuck in the exact same boat. I do feel your pain.

 

[lelliott19]

You might consider writing an article for a local newspaper or historical society? The folks connected to the locale would surely be interested in publishing it - whether in print or on their webpage. Setting up a website is another option - I'd do that even if I wrote the article. Sharing those valuable unpublished sources in the form of a website is a contribution to the overall historical record. If you don't want to have to pay for a website/domain, you could start a thread here at CWT in the Regimental Histories sub-forum. https://civilwartalk.com/forums/regimental-histories.197/

and a disaster at Cedar's Creek,

You got my attention with this one. Have you ever written anything about it here? PLease tag me if you ever write this up.

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

The short answer is yes, every regiment deserves a book. But, we write regimentals as a labor of love – just to get that story out there and see it preserved. No, they do not sell well. However, every little piece just adds to the overall picture. By the way, I've written regimentals (published) on the 37th North Carolina, 58th North Carolina, 39th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, and the Branch-Lane brigade. Let me know if I can help.

 

[Kurtlg]

Not so sure about every regiment deserving a whole book. A written history , yes. For instance the 30th Michigan was mustered in in January of 1865 and served garrison duty around Detroit and the border with Canada. They never saw action and that late in the war there was no threat from Canada if there actually ever had been . I get the " they also serve" thing but I don't think they warrant a whole book. From a financial standpoint , how many copies of a book about the 30th would be sold?

 

[LSBusch]

I wrote and published a book about my gg-grandfather's regiment, focusing on three replacement companies (see my signature). I did it as a labor of love and have sold fewer than 100 copies since 2020. It's on Amazon, and I've also sold a few copies to relevant museum gift shops. A handful of relatives have bought it. My biggest payment by far was hearing from a woman who found the book on Amazon by searching for 14th Iowa Infantry. One of her ancestors was in the regiment, and she was thrilled to find his name and details about what he experienced in the war. It made all my work worth it.

 

[Blessmag]

I have self-published 2 regimental histories; 126th Illinois my gr-gr-grandfather served in and the 106th Ill, my birth town regiment that served with the 126th in Arkansas and at Vicksburg.
It is a labor of love.

One plus, with using resources from the Lincoln Library; they want a copy of the book in the library. (Breaking my arms patting myself on the back) how many authors do you know with a book in a Presidential library???

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Every regiment deserves to have its story told. Not all of them have enough of a story - and especially not enough primary sources - to result in a book.

Books have been written about the two Florida brigades - one in the ANV and the other in the AOT. The component regiments mostly served together in those brigades, and there are comparatively few letters and diaries from Florida soldiers (compared to many other states). I think that's sometimes the best way to do it: tell the story of several related regiments from the same state.

Alternatively, the regiment's history might be best told as part of another book. If the Nth Regiment spent nearly the entire war garrisoning Fort Somewhere then it's probably better to write a history of Fort Somewhere, which includes a complete history of the Nth Regiment.

You might consider writing an article for a local newspaper or historical society?

The state historical quarterly periodical is another option, if one has enough material for a lengthy article but not enough for a book.

 

[RedRover]

What's the best way to commemorate that regiment you've been researching - especially the ones that aren't really exciting? "My" three year regiment (the 6th New York Heavy Artillery) mustered in Sept. 1862, but doesn't make Fox's fighting 300 list. It didn't spend a whole lot of time in the front lines and missed all the '62 and '63 battles. It didn't fight until the Overland Campaign, and even then was mostly on the periphery being shuttled around as a reserve unit. It did have a few active days in combat (Harris Farms, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and a disaster at Cedar's Creek, but not really a decisive role in any of those). There are some good, unpublished sources but these mostly talk about the day-to-day issues common to every regiment: training, picket duty, a lot of sickness, complaints about pay, officers backstabbing and bickering over promotions, etc. Is anyone going to read a narrative of this regiment other than a few descendants and local history enthusiasts? Or is a website a better idea? Or something else? I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

Yes. There is no harm in chronicling the active services of any unit, in or out of combat. If you have the sources of the ideas and attitudes of the men to their situation, then super. Soldiers don't get to decide upon the nature of their service.

For model books on units which saw limited or no combat, here's some examples..

Swinton's history of the 7th New York State Militia's active services during the war...

History of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, During the War of the Rebellion

www.google.com

Wingate's history of the 22nd New York State Militia, covers its active US service at Harper's Ferry in 1862 and in the Gettysburg campaign in 1863, etc.

History of the Twenty-second Regiment of the National Guard of the State of New York

www.google.com

 

[lupaglupa]

I agree that not every regiment generates enough material for a full length book. But I would still urge you to publish one. A properly published book gets included in the Library of Congress, which insures the material is around for others to read. Material published in periodicals and online doesn't have that same surety. Donate a few copies to local historical societies. Give some to family members. As @LSBusch tells, you don't know who might be out there and benefit from your work!

 

[Trooper "D"]

What's the best way to commemorate that regiment you've been researching - especially the ones that aren't really exciting? "My" three year regiment (the 6th New York Heavy Artillery) mustered in Sept. 1862, but doesn't make Fox's fighting 300 list. It didn't spend a whole lot of time in the front lines and missed all the '62 and '63 battles. It didn't fight until the Overland Campaign, and even then was mostly on the periphery being shuttled around as a reserve unit. It did have a few active days in combat (Harris Farms, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, and a disaster at Cedar's Creek, but not really a decisive role in any of those). There are some good, unpublished sources but these mostly talk about the day-to-day issues common to every regiment: training, picket duty, a lot of sickness, complaints about pay, officers backstabbing and bickering over promotions, etc. Is anyone going to read a narrative of this regiment other than a few descendants and local history enthusiasts? Or is a website a better idea? Or something else? I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

After all that work you can write a manuscript and make it available on line somehow. A manuscript isn't going to get published by any publishing house but it can be printed in pamphlet form for museums or any other outlet to offer their visitors for a nominal fee. Self publish. Use those vynal clear covers with a plastic spine that slides down over the cover and pages. There is probably something available that is better now. We used those covers to self publish some Architectural information. I think it was for geodesic dome houses we designed. Buckminster Fuller was involved with us. OK, I'm going down memory lane instead of replying to your issue. Anyway, you can easily publish your manuscript like that. In fact, Dr. Sam Palmer did a little publishing on the Battle of Big Dry Wash in Arizona. $10.00 per copy and it even had a supplemental separate map folder. That was at Fort Verde Days some years ago. He was doing a presentation on the subject and had his manuscript available for purchase. I don't know if he ever published it with a publishing house.
You could try working out using it as a fundraiser thing for your local historical venues or put them on consignment at such places. Hand sell them at events. Do your best Hawker at the County Fair.
Hopefully you can get something out of my drivel. I just brainstormed for you. Hope it helps.
Cheers!

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

I've researched the 22nd Kentucky for almost 10 years. I have thousands of computer files from newspapers and primary sources. I have (what I consider) the most accurate roster on them by combing through each man's CMSR. Own almost every book I can find that mentions them. I have traveled to the Kentucky and National Archives to photograph every document I can find. And I've traveled every place the regiment was during the war. I'm still mapping every man's grave site.

You and I are invested the same, it sounds like… I've heard the term for people like us as 'completionist'.

This is exactly what I've done/do with Sibley's Brigade & the 4th/5th/7th Texas Mounted Rifles.

Drive states away with the primary highlight to see a single gun tube affiliated with Teel's battery or a 7th TMV gravesite - and having to do lengthy research to find 15 other things to fill in the voids to make it a full trip, haha.

Have every published book and periodical that ever mentioned the units, scrubbing ephemera sites and ebay for primary source documents connected to them - looking for Texas treasury warrants for military service made out to members of the brigade, buying period newspapers that ran news of their engagements/etc.

Small, uniform and labeled jars of dirt from every encampment and engagement site.

I just wish there were more New Mexico campaign images to document 'then and now'…!

We are addicted - you know that, right?

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

Also, don't discount the research value of your years of work!

I've already been approached by two universities that pretty much guarantee 20+ linear feet of space for my ANM documentation/ephemera collection should the kids not have an interest when I am gone.

Think about that… everything bundled up and gift wrapped for future researchers - your collection/name as a credit in the bibliography/etc… still contributing to the record long after you are gone.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

The state historical quarterly periodical is another option, if one has enough material for a lengthy article but not enough for a book.

Exactly my thought.

These are the absolute best printed sources in my experience… often written by people who possess the actual wartime journals and letters of participants/etc. and have them edited and/or peer reviewed by 'bigger names'.

Texas Southwestern Historical Quarterly and Texas Military History (the quarterly publication of the National Guard Association of Texas) are phenomenal resources for Texas Revolution/Texas Civil War/Texas Indian Wars information, for example.

And you can acquire even ancient copies for pennies on the dollar on ebay/abebooks/etc!

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

What's the best way to commemorate that regiment you've been researching - especially the ones that aren't really exciting?

I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

Even if you just 'put yourself out there' on the forums/Ancestry/findagrave etc as a 'curator of research relating to _________' - the people looking for that stuff will find you.

Introduce yourself at the local historical society and county museum and let them know that your an avocational historian that specializes in _______.

You'll probably be surprised with who your email or phone number gets passed along to, even years later/etc.

 

[Library Lady]

I have self-published 2 regimental histories; 126th Illinois my gr-gr-grandfather served in and the 106th Ill, my birth town regiment that served with the 126th in Arkansas and at Vicksburg.
It is a labor of love.

One plus, with using resources from the Lincoln Library; they want a copy of the book in the library. (Breaking my arms patting myself on the back) how many authors do you know with a book in a Presidential library???

Congratulations! On one hand, this is very cool. On the other hand, I'm sad because, as far as I know, the holdings of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library do not circulate. If you want to see/read them, you have to go to Springfield.

 

[CWdiaryPA]

Is anyone going to read a narrative of this regiment other than a few descendants and local history enthusiasts? Or is a website a better idea? Or something else? I'm struggling with what to do with all this material I've compiled.

If the goal is highest access to your info for the most people, online is the way. The Internet Archive keeps it forever, in theory. Others may know of more internet-forever options. Also this: https://help.archive.org/help/how-to-download-files/

Paper, though, isn't going to wink out in some catastrophic grid failure, though a fire or flood'll make quick work of it. Plus, getting a hold of a physical copy presents challenges.

If I can throw a million+ words into a WordPress site & create my own domain, anyone can. Had zero help. Wasn't raised with the internet. Google brings my gfather's Reg't right up to my site.

Savas Beatie? Or publish yourself via Amazon? I read that after you put out two books, the third is where Amazon starts algorhythming it higher.

How I deal with it is I did (& still do) my best with the 110th. Nothing existed before what I compiled. I did the work, & whoever finds their way to it, good. It's there in the world at least, & may have a chance of surviving online in some corner of the Internet long after I'm gone. Good luck

 

[redbob]

Regimental histories certainly help when you are researching a specific regiment.

 

[huskerblitz]

You and I are invested the same, it sounds like… I've heard the term for people like us as 'completionist'.

This is exactly what I've done/do with Sibley's Brigade & the 4th/5th/7th Texas Mounted Rifles.

Drive states away with the primary highlight to see a single gun tube affiliated with Teel's battery or a 7th TMV gravesite - and having to do lengthy research to find 15 other things to fill in the voids to make it a full trip, haha.

Have every published book and periodical that ever mentioned the units, scrubbing ephemera sites and ebay for primary source documents connected to them - looking for Texas treasury warrants for military service made out to members of the brigade, buying period newspapers that ran news of their engagements/etc.

Small, uniform and labeled jars of dirt from every encampment and engagement site.

I just wish there were more New Mexico campaign images to document 'then and now'…!

We are addicted - you know that, right?

Yep, and addiction my wife can tolerate for vacations. And yes, even have dirt from some of the areas they were present. My wife even gifted me an 1887 edition of the regimental surgeon's published letters, about $400. Also have a large canvas picture of the regimental colors.

 

[Stryker65]

Through years of working with regiments, orders of battles, etc., I managed to accidentally memorize the basic regimental histories of every ACW unit. Many upsides to this, but also many downsides -- the greatest of these being that no, not every regiment is very interesting. For instance:

• The 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Delaware never saw combat
• The 67th-71st, 132nd-136th, 138th, 139th, 141st, 144th, and 145th-156th Illinois never saw combat
• The 102nd-114th Indiana and most of the 130, 140, and 150s never saw combat
• The 41st-48th Iowa never saw combat
• The 30th Michigan, as @Kurtlg mentioned, never saw combat
• The 11th Minnesota never saw combat
• Over half of all Missouri regiments (infantry, cavalry, and artillery) never left the state and/or saw combat
• I believe only seven of the forty-one Ohio National Guard units saw combat, and most of the 180s and 190s never saw combat
• Most of Wisconsin's 40-series regiments never saw combat

However, what I've seen is that this only goes for Union units -- every Confederate unit raised saw combat or special duty in some shape or form. Every Confederate regiment deserves a history, but not all Union units deserve a history; I'd limit it to those that saw combat.