Cry Havoc

Book excerpt: "With his sure command of the subject, Dr. Cross uses the illustrative anecdote to highlight the hardships of 'Johnny Reb' in the western theater. This book's value is enhanced by rare illustrations, clear maps, and an extensive appendix detailing the service records of most soldiers in the regiment." -- Malcolm Muir, Jr.; Professor of History, Virginia Military Institute; Director, John A. Adams Center of Military History and Strategic Analysis. At its peak, the Forty-ninth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment numbered 500 men. Many were under the age of 25. The regiment's ten companies were mustered from Tennessee's Benton, Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, and Robertson Counties, with Montgomery County men making up more than half the ranks. During the war, over 75% of the regiment were incarcerated as prisoners of war at least once. More than 50% were imprisoned twice. Diseases such as measles, smallpox, dysentery, gangrene, and sepsis claimed more lives than combat. Battlefield wounds were often devastating, and medicine was primitive at best. Regardless of age or rank, none returned home unscathed...This is their story.