Writing on Sunday, March 30th, 1862 from the 20th South Carolina, John P. Pruitt: It seems that we have sickness and deaths in our section of the country to add to our troubles, but we must not grieve about it if we can avoid it, but always look at the brightest side and hope for better days. Tuesday, June 25th, 1861, James F. Hart, also of South Carolina, wrote: But…

More than 2.8 million men served in the Union army from 1861-1865, yet you will not be surprised to know that only 3% or about 75,000 were “regulars,” who were placed into 30 regiments (note over 2,000 regiments were created). (1) With that in mind I highly recommend you check out “Ten years in the ranks, U. S. army” by Augustus Meyers, (1914). Meyers, somehow at the age of 13…

This is a fairly unique letter in that it takes place after the war and includes some nice reflection on the part of a Confederate soldier. The letter is written by Francis M. Brown who appears to be very loyal to the South and proud of his service. However, there are two Francis M. Brown’s to be found, one in the West Virginia 12th Infantry and one 77th Virginia Militia….