Letters from a Civil War Surgeon [Paperback]

Child William (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2002

Dr. Child'ss is a writer of wit, humor, candor, understanding, emotion and fact. His letters to his wife take us into the Civil War, into his time, as we relive most of the major battles, the struggles, and are given special insights into the politics. As a witness to the assassination of Lincoln he writes an eyewitness account that leaves you speechless.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fine addition to the detailed history of New Hampshire's Civil War fighting force. -- The Courier, N.H., Sept. 25, '02, by Edith Tucker

A treasure trove ... Thankfully, this now belongs to the ages. I highly recommend this book to anybody's Civil War library. -- Ronald A. Mosocco, Author, Chronological Tracking of the American Civil War per the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

Important Civil War letters... -- The Civil War News, August, '01

Insightful gathering of letters ... the most important letters, from a national point of view, describe Child's witnessing President Lincoln's murder. -- Portland Press Harold/Maine Sunday Telegram, Nov. 10, '02, by William David Barry

Renowned as a gifted writer ... a valuable and remarkable new addition to the published works of personal Civil War correspondence. -- Bob Zeller, Author, Civil War in Depth.

The fascinating contents of this letter and more than 150 others ... are packaged in a captivating book chronicling Child's experiences. -- Morning Sentinel, June 15, '02, By Darla L. Pickett

About the Author

Dr. Child was born at Bath, NH, on February 24, 1834. He received the usual education in the modest school near his home. He entered Dartmouth Medical School in 1854, graduating in 1857. After his graduation, he began a practice in his native town of Bath. In August, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers and later surgeon of that regiment; as such he served with marked ability until the close of the war, and was often called to accompany dangerous and difficult expeditions. He was present at every battle from South Mountain and Antietam to Deep River and Reams Station. At the close of the war he was division surgeon, and was discharged with the regiment.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Polar Bear & Company (March 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882190637
• ISBN-13: 978-1882190638
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,682,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative reading for any Civil War history buff, March 9, 2003

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

This review is from: Letters from a Civil War Surgeon (Paperback)

Letters From A Civil War Surgeon is a remarkable and memorable collection of personal letters by William Child, a country doctor who served with the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers. Dr. Child's correspondences to his wife are photomechanically reproduced in black-and-white and then transcribed into easy-to-read type. In them, Dr. Child vividly conveys the loneliness, horror, and grim realities of war and bloodshed. Laced throughout with humor, political insights, and honest observations, Letters From A Civil War Surgeon is an invaluable and very highly recommended addition to Civil War Studies primary source collections and informative reading for any Civil War history buff.