Historians will appreciate the explicit narratives, while genealogists will find more than 1000 names in the roster list, which includes age, residence, rank, date of commission, and a "remarks" column for wounded, killed, discharged, etc., and the dates of those events. There is even a roster of band members. In the 1880s, the author revisited many of the battlefields to collect data and measurements, resulting in the inclusion of more than 20 maps and illustrations of the battlefields. In July of 1862, the 13th Regiment advanced from New Hampshire via foot, filthy cattle cars, and by sea, south to the area around Washington, D.C. In December they were summoned to serve at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. From that point they were active in the siege of Suffolk and the battle of Providence Church Road, and at Richmond, Kingsland Creek, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison and Fair Oaks. The 13th was the first regiment to enter Richmond after its evacuation by the Confederates. This excellent work is a remarkable combination of the author's own journal and the writings of several other soldiers, mostly captains. These diaries and letters were written at the front. Additional material was gathered from official papers and muster rolls. This is riveting reading: the rigors of marching and camp life, army jokes and pastimes, the horrors of battle, shooting of deserters, and other fascinating observations of hospital life, descriptions of commanding officers and negro soldiers, the wilting heat of the south as experienced by the northern soldiers, and the general reaction to Lincoln's assassination as the 13th returned home through Boston. These and many other events are described in a thorough, honest and engaging manner.
S. Millett Thompson
(1888), 2007, 5½x8½, paper, indices, 734 pp.
ISBN: 9780788415173
101-T1517
