Co. Aytch: A Confederate Memoir of the Civil War
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Book Overview
A classic Civil War memoir, Co. Aytch is the work of a natural storyteller who balances the horror of war with an irrepressible sense of humor and a sharp eye for the lighter side of battle. It is a testament to one man's enduring humanity, courage, and wisdom in the midst of death and destruction. Early in May 1861, twenty-one-year-old Sam R. Watkins of Columbia, Tennessee, joined the First Tennessee Regiment, Company H, to fight for the Confederacy. Of the 120 original recruits in his company, Watkins was one of only seven to survive every one of its battles, from Shiloh to Nashville. Twenty years later, with a "house full of young 'rebels' clustering around my knees and bumping about my elbows," he wrote this remarkable account--a memoir of a humble soldier fighting in the American Civil War, replete with tales of the common foot soldiers, commanders, Yankee enemies, victories, defeats, and the South's ultimate surrender on April 26, 1865.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0743255410
ISBN13:9780743255417
Release Date:November 2003
Publisher:Touchstone Books
Length:256 Pages
Weight:0.57 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.5" x 8.6"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
One of the greatest Civil war books ever written!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
One of the greatest Civil War books ever written. It is the first hand account of a Confederate private from Columbia, Tennessee fighting in some of the bloodiest battles and skirmishes of the war. Sam Watkins of the "Maury Greys" saw a lot of fightin' and dyin' while serving as part of Company H in the Army of Tennessee. He had many brushes with death and risked capture on several occasions. Read his accounts of the battles at Shiloh, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville just to name a few. This book is something every serious Civil War buff should have in his or her library.
Well Told Private's View of Confederate Service
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Sam Watkins writes a novel like autobiography of his years with the Army of Tennessee. His service saw the front lines of every major battle including Shiloh, Chickamagua, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. Amazingly, this rebel came through intact and lived to vividly record his experiences.This book is much more impressionistic than a historic telling of the facts (which Watkins reminds the reader frequently). It lays bare the attitude of a rebel private (although one suspects Watkins is much more literate and sophistocated than many of his fellows in the ranks) who endured starvation, forced marches, punishing battles and the monotony and arbitrary nature of camp life while serving a losing cause.Watkins does an excellent job of letting the reader into his head. He reveals well the base existence and actions of ordinary soldiers who paid for the drama of the Civil War with their youth, blood and life.
the absolute best book on the army of tennessee!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
the best diary of a civil war veteran i have ever read!!
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