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Before his martyrdom on the first day at Gettysburg, General John Reynolds commanded the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves. Here is one of the very best memoirs of those days by one of the boys who was proud to be led by Generals Reynold's, Meade, and McCall.With a wonderful, self-deprecating, dry wit, Alonzo Hill tells the story of "Our Boys" of the Eighth Penn. At the Seven Days' Battle, Second Bull Run, and at Antietam, the Pennsylvania boys fought with distinction and bravery, fought with each other on occasion, and laughed more than they cried.Hill had a keen talent for capturing camp life and the confusion of battle. This is a Civil War memoir that is personal, poignant, and at times hilarious. You'll read it more than once.Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever.
From a book review: First two-thirds describes life in camp which is interesting and often funny. He makes it seem like lark with practical jokes and mischief. The author writes little about disease that claimed thousands of soldiers lives in camp. The last third describes the authors participation in the seven days battles, second Bull Run, south mountain and Antietam. He does a good job describing what it was like to fight in these battles. His descriptions of South Mountain and the fight in the Cornfield at Antietam are particularly affecting. He describes enormous casualties, volleys of musketry, grape and canister that mow down yankees and rebels alike. The author suffers a wound to his thigh and amputation of his leg. he describes what it was like to endure this process . The book is well worth reading for its first person historical perspective. Because the book was written in 1864 it is liberally sprinkled with words like darkey, wooly head, sable, coon, and of course N....r. This is historically accurate for a union soldier at that time. Interestingly he never mentions abolition or slavery as an abomination. this seems to be far from his reason for enlisting or fighting. he is motivated by pro-union patriotism. I enjoyed first hand accounts of generals Reynolds, McClellan, and Meade who the author served under. Meade in particular lives up to his nick name "Old snapping Turtle": tough, no nonsense, quick to anger, fearless, and highly competent. The author and fellow soldiers adore McClellan who is portrayed as warm and friendly to the common soldiers. Reynolds comes across as cool, calm , professional, serious and very effective and efficient. Grant had not come east at the time of Antietam . Lee an Stonewall Jackson are only mentioned in passing. this is because the author only writes about subjects of which he has first hand experience. well worth reading for the historical record it provides.