By Valgene Dunham
On September 7, 1864, William Whitlock, aged thirty-five,
left his wife and four children in Allegany, New York, to join the Union army
in battle. More than 100 years later, his unpublished letters to his wife were
found in the attic of a family home. These letters serve as the foundation for
Allegany to Appomattox, giving readers a vivid glimpse into the environment and
political atmosphere that surrounded the Civil War from the perspective of a
northern farmer and lumberman.Ni
Whitlock's observations tell of exhausting marches, limited rations, and
grueling combat. In plainspoken language, the letters also reveal a desperate
homesickness, consistently expressing concern for the family's health and
financial situation and requesting news from home. Dunham's detailed
descriptions of the war's progress and specific battles provide a rich context
for Whitlock's letters, orienting readers to both the broad narrative of the
Civil War and the intimate chronicle of one soldier's impressions.
About the Author
Valgene Dunham is
Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the College of Science at Coastal Carolina
University in Conway, South Carolina. He is the author and coauthor of numerous
books, chapters, and journal articles.
ISBN 978-0815610113, Syracuse University Press, © 2013,
Hardcover, 264 pages, Maps, Photographs, Illustrations, Footnotes, Appendices,
References & Index. $29.95. To purchase this book click HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment