Customer Reviews

Reminiscences of a Private (C)

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Readers who enjoyed Watkins' Co. Aytch will like this too. It doesn't have the absolute spark of genius that the latter shows, but it's an engaging, detailed account of Bevens' experiences in the Army of Tennessee. He includes many interesting and often humorous anecdotes; the only weak section is the very end of the war, because Bevens was lucky enough to be on furlough at that time. The editor has done an excellent job of annotating the text -- at first the format, with the footnotes on facing pages, is a little confusing, but it soon becomes very helpful. Sutherland fills in gaps and explains minor errors in Bevens' account while placing the events in their larger context. The only thing I have to complain about is the maps, which are useless.

This book contain the highlights of a private's life in the Army of the Tennessee. It talks about Private Beven's travels and life in the army. If you are looking for details of combat, look elsewhere. Book contain a few details of a private's life. Book doesn't have many details, but over 40% of the book is footnotes by the editor informing the reader about event or people sited by Beven's.

Like other accounts the battle details are sketchy, particularly Shiloh but all in all an interesting account of a soldier who served a long term of service in an elite regiment (by standards of the western theatre), the First Arkansas. The problems of supply and morale are well documented. The footnotes are very thorough and add alot to the enjoyment of the book I found.