Army Life: A Private's Reminiscences of the Civil War

Rating:
Summary: Book Description
Review: One of the most famous regiments of the Civil War was the 20th Regiment of Maine Volunteers. Fromed in 1862, the regiment saw action in some of the fiercest campaigns and battles of the war; Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg, Peebles Farm and Five Forks. It also was present at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Gravelly Run and Appomattox, where it had the distinct honor of being of the regiments to formally receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Originally commanded by Colonel Adelbert Ames, leadership of the regiment soon fell upon the shoulders of the most famous civilian soldier of the war--Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. At Gettysburg, Chamberlain and the 20th Maine anchored the Union line on Little Round Top and helped to save the day, and the battle, for the Federal cause. The regiment fought with excellence in several later campaigns but will always be known for its brilliant and gallant performance at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. After the war only one veteran of the unit attempted to chronicle the exploits of the 20th Maine Infantry. In 1882, Reverend Theodore Gerrish published "Army Life". Although there are brief, scattered accounts written by other veterans of the unit's wartime exploits, this remains the only full-length book, purposely published by a 20th Maine veteran.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, but somewhat biased
Review: This is an excellent book that should be read by every person with any serious interest in the Civil War. It is generally clear and informative, frequently funny or witty, and generally well written. My only objection to it is the author's very heavy pro-Union bias. If you get this book, be sure and get a Southern account to balance it.