Customer Reviews

Personal Recollections of a Calvaryman With Custer's Michigan Calvary (Collector's Library of the Civil War)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kidd was a student in Ann Arbor at the outbreak of the war. At the end of his 2nd Year, in 1862, he recruited a company of volunteers that became Company E 6th MI Cavalry, with young Captain Kidd in command. In 1863 they became part of Custers famous "Wolverine Brigade" and saw their first action in the Gettysburg campaign. Kidd moved up to Col, and later brig. gen. in command of the Wolverines. He fought at Falling waters, Buckland Mills, The Wilderness, Todds Tavern, Yellow Tavern, Hanovertown, Haw's Shop, Trevilian Station and Cedar Creek. Over the winter 1864-65, he was assigned to administrative duties in the Shenandoah Valley and DC. He was involved in court marshalls, and a meeting with Mosby under flag of truce.

Kidd gives the cavalry it's due, as he was witness to most of the major actions of 1864-5, I was quite disappointed when I got to the end and Gen Kidd did not ride to Appomattox with Sheridan. Written in 1908, Kidd has reviewed much of the OR in writing his book, as well as books and articles by noted Generals. Footnotes to these are included. I must add that the Kindle version does not include any of the 3 maps and 30 or illustrations listed in the table of contents, dropped a star for that. Kidd's writing style is often confusing, as he often avoids writing in the first person, making it sometimes unclear as to whether he is describing events as he saw them, or as they were described by others. Also on the downside, Kidd engages in the post war he-said he-said as to taking credit, administering blame and setting records "straight."

Kidd provides vivid descriptions of his experiences, and thoughtful historical backdrop to the events of the day. While I have read much on the Eastern campaigns, it seems the cavalry actions are often treated as a prelude or a sideshow, whereas to Kidd, they were the real deal.

Kidd was a student in Ann Arbor at the outbreak of the war. At the end of his 2nd Year, in 1862, he recruited a company of volunteers that became Company E 6th MI Cavalry, with young Captain Kidd in command. In 1863 they became part of Custers famous "Wolverine Brigade" and saw their first action in the Gettysburg campaign. Kidd moved up to Col, and later brig. gen. in command of the Wolverines. He fought at Falling waters, Buckland Mills, The Wilderness, Todds Tavern, Yellow Tavern, Hanovertown, Haw's Shop, Trevilian Station and Cedar Creek. Over the winter 1864-65, he was assigned to administrative duties in the Shenandoah Valley and DC. He was involved in court marshalls, and a meeting with Mosby under flag of truce.

Kidd gives the cavalry it's due, as he was witness to most of the major actions of 1864-5, I was quite disappointed when I got to the end and Gen Kidd did not ride to Appomattox with Sheridan. Written in 1908, Kidd has reviewed much of the OR in writing his book, as well as books and articles by noted Generals. Footnotes to these are included. I must add that the Kindle version does not include any of the 3 maps and 30 or illustrations listed in the table of contents, dropped a star for that. Kidd's writing style is often confusing, as he often avoids writing in the first person, making it sometimes unclear as to whether he is describing events as he saw them, or as they were described by others. Also on the downside, Kidd engages in the post war he-said he-said as to taking credit, administering blame and setting records "straight."

Kidd provides vivid descriptions of his experiences, and thoughtful historical backdrop to the events of the day. While I have read much on the Eastern campaigns, it seems the cavalry actions are often treated as a prelude or a sideshow, whereas to Kidd, they were the real deal.