Customer Reviews

The Civil War Reminiscences of Major Silas T. Grisamore, C.S.A.

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Grisamore's memoir is an important source of information on the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters of the Civil War. Because he was a quartermaster, his story is a unique one because few quartermaster officers left memoirs. The book is full of humor as well as little known episodes of the war. Grisamore was a native of Indiana but felt strongly enough about the Confederate war effort to join the army and risk his life.

I own two copies, a first edition manuscript and the edition sold here. It remains my favorite regimental history of a Louisiana unit and is certainly the best, most readable QM account ever. Bergeron once again does a superb job editing. Perhaps most valuable is the various accounts of the extreme difficulty, delivered with a wry wit, of keeping a moving army supplied with everything from bullets to beans to clothing. The fortunes of war wax and wane, but the QM's job remains critical. The 18th Louisiana Inf and its brigade fought in some well known (Red River) and not so well known campaigns, so the insight Grisamore provides does much to fill in some holes in the sideshows. Of particular interest to historians and living historians of the Civil War are the detailed descriptions of the uniforms and equipment worn by these men, from captured federal supplies to uniforms made with oustanding imported British cloth...or poorly fitting clothing made from homespun purchased from local suppliers. Through it all Grisamore retains his sense of humor and keen powers of observation. An outstanding read, that you will pick up again and again.

This book is a must read. A refreshing glimpse into the adventures of a Western Theater Quartermaster. Obviously intense and very thorough research was done editing these memoirs. Dr. Bergeron is indeed a premier Civil War historian.