Raising the Banner of Freedom

Book excerpt: The story of the American Civil War is best told by those who lived it and endured the hardships, heartaches, and sacrifices on the battlefield and throughout long, hard-fought campaigns. Bvt. Colonel Edward Culp brings us telling accounts of the 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, cited in Fox's Regimental Losses in the American Civil War, 1861-1865 as one of the 300 fighting regiments of the Civil War. Cross Keys, 1862."The deafening roar of musketry and the wiz of grape and canister. The crushing of timber by the dread missiles mingled with the unearthly yells of opposing forces and the moaning of the dying and the screams of the wounded. Oh God, how terrible is war..."--Sgt. T.J. Evans Gettysburg, 1863. "...under the cover of smoke, the rebels made a desperate charge and succeeded in gaining the very crest of the hill (Cemetery Hill). Among the batteries the fighting was hand-to-hand."--Lt. E. C. Culp Honey Hill, 1864. "A tremendous roar of musketry had commenced along the line, but we steadily advanced, right into the tangled wall of vines and briers, which clung to us as we tore our way through them."--Cpl. Samuel Wildman