Brothers 'Til Death: The Civil War Letters of Maggie, Thomas, and William Jones, 1861-1865 [Hardcover]

William Jones (Author), Richard M. Trimble (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

Brothers 'til Death is a collection of over 100 letters written mostly between two Irish brothers and their sister from New Jersey. Serving in the 48th New York Volunteer regiment, Thomas and William Jones wrote their sister Maggie, a school teacher in West Farms, New Jersey. But Maggie also received letters from friends of the family who also served in the 48th New York. Brought together in this unique collection the activity of the 48th New York comes to life. The letters are filled with emotions, patriotic ebullience from 1861 through the dismal conclusions of 1865. The 48th New York served in the coastal campaign, an often overlooked but important campaign during the war.

Demanding remarkable coordination with the Navy and the blockade, the campaign was critical in forcing the action inland. The letters also contain opinions on the 1864 election, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Florida expedition, the siege of Petersburg, life in a New York City hospital ward (Thomas Jones was wounded and lost an arm in the assault on Battery Wagner, made famous in the movie Glory), and on Lincoln's death.

Brothers 'til Death offers a view of the Civil War from the perspective of the frontline soldier. It provides insights into a forgotten theater of the war, the coastal campaign of the Carolinas and Georgia, providing new witnesses to assaults on Forts Pulaski, Wagner, and Fisher. Finally, the letters give new dimensions to what life was like for Irish soldiers fighting for the Union along the coastline of the South.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard M. Trimble (a graduate of Seton Hall and Rutgers Universities) teaches History at Manasquan High School and at Brookdale Community College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Mercer University Press; 1st edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865546983
• ISBN-13: 978-0865546981
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,048,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastically recommended reading for all Civil War buffs, January 11, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brothers 'Til Death: The Civil War Letters of Maggie, Thomas, and William Jones, 1861-1865 (Hardcover)

William and Thomas Jones were Irish brothers who, with their sister Maggie, immigrated to the United States. Maggie was a schoolteacher in West Farms, New Jersey. William and Thomas served in the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment and saw front-line combat during the American Civil War. Brothers 'til Death is a collection of their letters, memoirs, and diary entries that provide today's reader with first-hand information on what they say and did, from the home front to the front lines. Their letters also present an immigrant's perspective on the conflict. Also included are letters from friends of the Jones siblings, thereby adding additional voices and views to the Irish-accented conversation about the war. Of special interest to Civil War historians are detailed aspects of the coastal campaign of the Carolinas and Georgia, including the assaults on Forts Pulaski, Fisher, and Wagner. Brothers 'til Death is enthusiastically recommended reading for all Civil War buffs and an outstanding contribution to academic and public library Civil War collections.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ordinary People-- Extraordinarily and Intimately Insightful, August 30, 2000

By 

DawnMarie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brothers 'Til Death: The Civil War Letters of Maggie, Thomas, and William Jones, 1861-1865 (Hardcover)

I closed the final chapter longing for more and feeling as though my friendships had been severed without saying good-bye... What a fine collection of letters to impose such feelings... Not only do we have the opportunity to learn more about this complicated era through their personal accounts, but we get the added dimension of their emotions through the beautifully expressive writing. John Fogarty's soulful poem written during the summer of 1864 underscores the tremendous eloquence of these "ordinary" people... Having had the privilege of reading some of Ellis Spear's journal entries as he set off with the 20th Maine, I can affirm the dedication of this teacher to his students and the labor of love the coordination of this project was. We are fortunate to reap what Richard Trimble has sown...

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, September 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Brothers 'Til Death: The Civil War Letters of Maggie, Thomas, and William Jones, 1861-1865 (Hardcover)

Though there are several good letters contained in this book, most are average at best. Trimble does not do a very good job as editor. The introduction and conclusion are poor--they contain very little information on the authors of the letters, and what information is provided is not presented well. Would also like to have seen the editor do a better job placing the letters in the greater context of the war.