Brothers in Gray: The Civil War Letters of the Pierson Family [Hardcover]

Thomas W. Cutrer (Editor), T. Michael Parrish (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Residents of antebellum northwest Louisiana held strong pro-Union sentiments, and the Pierson family of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, were no exception, opposing secession in 1861. Yet once war began, the region contributed its full share of support to the southern army, and four of William H. Pierson’s eight sons enlisted. Ranging from the early battles of the Trans-Mississippi to the epic battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and from the brutal trenches of Vicksburg to provost guard duty in north Louisiana, this extensive collection of Civil War letters, written by three of the Pierson brothers, offers riveting glimpses of almost every variety of experience faced by Confederate soldiers. Prolific letter writers, the Piersons were educated, observant, and well placed to comment not only on the battles and campaigns of their regiments but also on their commanding officers, the effect of political activity on soldier morale, being taken captive, and, most of all, their entire family’s understanding of and commitment to the Confederate cause.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Brothers In Gray is an extensive collection of Civil War letters written by the three sons of William H. Pierson of Bienville Parish, Louisiana. They offer riveting glimpses of almost every variety of experience faced by the Rebel soldier. Prolific letter writers, the Piersons were articulate, observant, and well placed to comment not only on the battles and campaigns of their regiments, but also on their commanding officers, the effect of political activity on soldier morale, and (most of all) their entire family's understanding of and commitment to the Confederate cause. Residents of antebellum northwest Louisiana held strong pro-Union sentiments, and the Piersons were no exception as they opposed secession in 1861. Yet once war began, the region contributed its full share of support to the southern army, and four of William Pierson's nine sons enlisted. Three became officers, the fourth a sergeant, in the Third, Ninth, and Twenty-Seventh Louisiana Infantries, rendering outstanding service in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Fortunately for posterity, three of the brothers (David, Reuben Allen, and James) wrote often of their experiences, generating one of the richest bodies of Civil War correspondence composed by Confederate soldiers. The letters vividly depict the life and duties of the private soldier, the noncommissioned officer, the company-grade officer, and the field-grade officer. They range in subject from the early battles of the Trans-Mississippi (including the campaigns at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge) to the epic battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and from the brutal trenches of Vicksburg to provost guard duty in north Louisiana in the waning days of the war. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Thomas W. Cutrer, professor of American studies at Arizona State University West, is the author of Ben McColloch and the Frontier Military Tradition.

T. Michael Parrish, Linden G. Bower Professor of American History at Baylor University, is the author of Richard Taylor: Soldier Prince of Dixie and Confederate Imprints: A Bibliography. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State Univ Pr; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807121347
• ISBN-13: 978-0807121344
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,096,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3rd Louisiana Infantry, 9th Louisiana Infantry., September 1, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Brothers in Gray: The Civil War Letters of the Pierson Family (Hardcover)

The four Pierson sons, intelligent, and well-educated for their time, originally opposed secession but served their country whole-heartedly in all theaters when the War came.
The letters of three sons are contained here, preserving valuable insights not only of battles and camp life but also frank opinions of the behavior of high officers and politicians. The tenacity of the Piersons, through sickness and wounds and hunger, in a War they didn't welcome, is fine testimony to the courage and patriotism of the Condederate soldier.
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