I have read, looked over, examined, at least several hundred “original” regimental histories and this is possibly the best “Preface” to a regimental history I have yet to encounter. Those original “autobiographical” regimental histories are so important and can help us understand “memory” and the Civil War, especially with regard to the soldier. Lucien Wulsin, The story of the Fourth Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry (1912): THE typical soldiers of…

Charles H. Weygant Journal printing house, 1877 To read this book for free. Lt. Col. Charles H. Weygant is an ancestor of mine (my g-g-g uncle) and at the conclusion of the Civil War he was in command of the 124th New York Regiment. Originally named “The American Guard” by the founding Colonel, A. Van Horne Ellis, Weygant helped to raise the regiment and enlist volunteers. Weygant would be promoted…

History of the 33d Iowa Infantry Volunteer Regiment, 1863-6 (Mills & co., 1866), By Andrew F. Sperry is unique in a couple of ways. First, it was written right after the war and published in 1866. Though an initial surge of Regimental histories were published in 1865-66 (I have documented 32), the number drops off significantly until the late 1880s. Second, A.F. Sperry is not just a “compiler” but a…

Charles H. Weygant’s history of the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (titled “Orange Blossoms”) was years ago linked to have, at the very least, “suggested” the idea for Stephen Crane’s famous novel The Red Badge of Courage. It is probable that Weygant’s regimental history was also influential in some of the events as portrayed by Crane in his novel. Published in 1895, The Red Badge of Courage, is still…

Historian and writer Paul Taylor has written a very nice portrait of a previously little known regiment. The 26th New York Volunteer Infantry served for 2 years, saw some hard service and marches, and tough fighting at the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, and Fredericksburg. Known also as the “Second Oneida Regiment,” the unit was organized at Elmira by Colonel William H. Christian on the 17th of May,…