A Jewish Colonel in the Civil War: Marcus M. Spiegel of the Ohio Volunteers [Paperback]

Marcus M. Spiegel (Author), Jean Powers Soman (Editor), Frank L. Byrne (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1995

Marcus Spiegel, a German Jewish immigrant, served with the 67th and 120th Ohio Volunteer regiments during the Civil War. He saw action in Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, where he was fatally wounded in May 1864. These letters to Caroline, his wife, reveal the traumatizing experience of a soldier and the constant concern of a husband and father.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The greatest consolation I have during the last two weeks of continual fighting, marching, and hardship is that lovely picture of you and the dear children. . . . I am looking at it about 5 times an hour and I fear that sometimes I am talking to it. As soon as Vicksburg falls, I will come home and stay at least one month.”—letter from Colonel Marcus M. Spiegel to his wife, 23 May 1863

(Marcus M. Spiegel )

“There were only a handful of Jewish officers in either army. . . . An extraordinary view not only of the battles but of the greater American political, cultural, and social milieu as a recently arrived outsider saw it. . . . Well organized, skillfully annotated, and an eloquent delight to read, this fine book adds a long-needed and fresh dimension to both Jewish and Civil War scholarship.”—Journal of Southern History

(Journal of Southern History )

“A wonderfully vivid and detailed picture of military life . . . one virtually hears the Colonel’s voice. One also comes to see this proud, enthusiastic, not impractical idealist as a friend, whose death, when his luck finally runs out, causes real grief.”—Atlantic Monthly

(Atlantic Monthly )

About the Author

Jean Powers Soman is a great-great-granddaughter of Marcus Spiegel. Her coeditor, Frank L. Byrne, is a professor of history at Kent State University and the editor of several books, including Haskell of Gettysburg: His Life and Civil War Papers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 353 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; annotated edition edition (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803292325
• ISBN-13: 978-0803292321
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 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: #1,459,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insights into Civil War life, June 23, 2011

By 

Cindy L. Bennett (BURKE, VA, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Jewish Colonel in the Civil War: Marcus M. Spiegel of the Ohio Volunteers (Paperback)

An excellent compilation of Colonel Spiegel's letters home. The editors inserted just enough history to keep the reader informed of what was happening to the 120th OVI, and back home in Ohio. The result is a a very interesting, very informative account of the life of a Civil War solider, sutler and Ohio community. If you have ancestors/relatives who served in the 120 OVI (like me) - this is a must read. If you have any relations who served anywhere in the Vicksburg campaign - this is also a must read.