Civil War Regiments

In this account, Private Lawrence Daffan, of the 4th Texas Infantry, describes his brigade's arrival to the cornfield on September 17, 1862 at the Battle of Sharpsburg, Maryland. 

In this account, Charles Johnson, a member of the Hawkins Zouaves, 9th New York, writes of the unglorified perspective of life on the front line as a picket. 

In this account, Surgeon Spencer Welch, of the 13th South Carolina, describes the time he partook in a wonderful meal while marching through Virginia.

In this account, Colonel Thomas Livermore, a staff officer of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, describes the time a joke went wrong while encamped outside Petersburg in 1864.

In this account, Captain George Pardee, of the 42nd Ohio, writes a letter to his wife with concern of the poor struggling families in the South, which reminded him of his own family at home.

An excerpt of Colonel Hans Heg's recruiting speech for the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, which consisted of Norwegian, Swede and Dane immigrants.

1st Sergeant William Andrews, of the 1st Georgia Regulars, writes of extreme hunger during the Invasion of Maryland in 1862, and an awkward encounter when he is caught foraging against orders.

Milton McJunkin, of the 85th Pennsylvania, writes of the extreme heat and bugs which plagued his regiment while stationed at Folly Island, South Carolina.

Private Henry Clay Sharkey, of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry, writes of an incident during the Atlanta Campaign when he stumbled upon a family in harm's way.

Private William Tyson, of the 115th Illinois Infantry, writes of the strict rules and guidelines of being a prisoner of war at Andersonville.

Corporal Clinton Beckwith, of the 121st New York, describes the harrowing moments of Upton's Charge at the Battle of Spotsylvania.

Lieutenant John Worsham, of the 21st Virginia Infantry, describes capturing a Federal supply store and enjoying the spoils of the enemy's food, cake and beer on the 4th of July.

Private Robert Carter, of the 22nd Massachusetts Infantry, describes the Battle of Sherperdstown Ford and the first battle of the 118th Pennsylvania, a.k.a. "Corn Exchange".

Private Randolph Comings, of the 11th New York Fire Zouaves, describes the regiment's arrival in Washington D.C. at the outset of the war.

Private Randolph Shotwell, of the 8th Virginia Infantry, describes the weary march through rain and mud after the defeat at Williamsburg.

Corporal Dayton Flint, of the 15th New Jersey, writes of the low morale within the Army of the Potomac after the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg.

Private Henry Stanley, of the 6th Arkansas Infantry, was a Welsh immigrant to the United States. In this account he describes the moments before his regiment went into battle at Shiloh.

Sergeant William Pitt Chambers, of the 46th Mississippi Infantry, describes the horrors of battle at Port Gibson in 1863.

Lieutenant Albert Goodloe, of the 35th Alabama Infantry, recollects the pleasures of tobacco while in camp during cold and rainy weather.

Lieutenant Abner Small, of the 16th Maine Infantry, describes the time he found the regimental band drunk before an inspection.

Lieutenant Benjamin Perry, of the 29th Ohio Infantry, writes a letter to an Ohio senator, begging for his battered regiment to be given a respite from the conflict.

Private James Turner, of the 6th Texas Infantry, describes witnessing the execution of a deserter while in Winter Quarters.

Sergeant Robert Jamison, of the 45th Tennessee Infantry, writes a letter to his wife describing the magnificent views and sites of the Siege of Chattanooga.

Corporal George Wilson, of the 17th Indiana Infantry, describes recruiting horses and mules in the countryside of Tennessee as his unit was converted into a mounted command.

Private Theodore Gerrish, of the 20th Maine Infantry, describes practical jokes played on new recruits during Winter Quarters.