A Rebel's Letters (New Intro, Annotated)

Book excerpt: One of the most often-cited collections of letters from the American Civil War is brought to Kindle for the first time. General Joseph Benjamin Polley's letters to his future wife are considered some of the best of the period. An educated man, his letters were detailed accounts of his time in the Texas Brigade of John Bell Hood. At Seven Pines, Gaines’ Mill, 2nd Manassas, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chicamauga, and during Grant’s Overland Campaign, Polley was in the thick of the fighting. His writing is delightful and humorous. On meeting Stonewall Jackson in a road by chance, "No one offered to introduce us to each other, and, as we were both bashful, we lost the best chance of our lives to become acquainted." The want of supplies and equipment were keenly felt in the southern forces: “I wish to God I was at home.” “Oh, yes,” I replied, “you want to see the girl you left behind you, don’t you?” “No, indeed,” he blurted out, “but I want something to eat.” Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever. For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample