SOLDIERING WITH SHERMAN: THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF GEORGE F. CRAM [Hardcover]

JENNIFER BOHRNSTEDT (Author), George F. Cram (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2000

Rare among Civil War correspondence, the collection of Union Sergeant George F. Cram's letters reveals an educated young man's experiences as part of Sherman's army. Advancing through the Confederacy with the 105th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Cram engaged in a number of key conflicts, such as Resaca, Peachtree Creek, Kennesaw, and Sherman's "march to the sea."

A highly literate college student who carried a copy of Shakespeare in his knapsack, Cram wrote candid letters that convey insights into the social dimensions of America's Civil War. With a piercing objectivity, optimism, and a dry sense of humor, Cram conscientiously reported the details of camp life. His vivid depictions of the campaigns throughout Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas contribute new insights into the battle scenes and key Union leaders.

Cram and several of his compatriots adhered to a principled code of personal conduct (no smoking, swearing, drinking, or gambling), striving to maintain integrity and honor in the face of war's hardships and temptations. Influenced by the abolitionist values of his community and college, Cram's observations on the effects of slavery and on the poverty of many of the Southerners are especially illuminating.

Civil War scholars and general readers alike will learn much from Cram's discoveries and observations—from his sympathy for poor whites to his grudging respect for the Confederates—that reveal the character of a young man maturing at war.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important read for anyone interested in the Civil War."—Journal of Illinois History

"A rewarding and informative book.... Bohrnstedt has done a good job of introducing Cram to us as a complete, well-rounded human being, so we can more fully understand and appreciate his letters and his insight into his experience of war."—Civil War News

"A must-read."—Chicago Magazine

From the Publisher

This fine collection provides an Illinois soldier's view of the western campaigns of the war from 1862-65. Cram was a twenty-one-year-old college student when he enlisted in Company F of the 105th Illinois Infantry in the summer of 1862. Over the next three years he fought his way across the breadth of the Confederacy. His letters provide keen observations of the Battles of Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, among others, and offer his views of key figures of the era, including Generals Thomas, Hooker, Rosecrans, Howard and Sherman.

This is a book about the Civil War. But the universal themes by which Cram's life is guided appeal to our sensibilities beyond that of narrowly understanding the Civil War. Understanding humanity, the value of relationships,a dn all the ingredients by which they are bound together--trust, truth, determination and honor--is also what Cram shared. The lives of Cram and those friends, family, and comrades closest to him were examined extensively in order to understand the magnitude of impact on the many lives of one Illinois community resulting from the unforgotten days of "Soldering with Sherman."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Northern Illinois University Press; 1 edition (August 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875802613
• ISBN-13: 978-0875802619
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,691,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balancing the view from the trenches with historic context, February 7, 2001

By 

Patricia Collins (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SOLDIERING WITH SHERMAN: THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF GEORGE F. CRAM (Hardcover)

Ms. Bohrnstedt's thoughtful and informative context for George Cram's letters is invaluable. The letters themselves are a treasure-- first-hand accounts from the trenches of the Civil War. Reading the book by the fireplace is like sitting with a Civil War maven, paging through scrapbooks with yellowed pages that come alive as she describes what is behind the scenes. What makes this book a 5-star gem? The quality of research and the uniqueness of the contribution to our understanding of our only violent, internal national conflict.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Piercing objectivity, optimism, and a dry sense of humor, February 5, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: SOLDIERING WITH SHERMAN: THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF GEORGE F. CRAM (Hardcover)

Soldiering With Sherman: The Civil War Letters Of George F. Cram is a compilation of the letters of Union Sergeant George F. Cram's letters that reveal an educated young man's experiences as part of Sherman's army during the American Civil War. Advancing through the Confederacy with the 105th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Cram engaged in a number of key conflicts, including Sherman's famous "march to the sea". Cram wrote candid, literate letters conveying insights into the social dimensions of the Civil War. His writings are characterized by piercing objectivity, optimism, and a dry sense of humor. His vivid depictions of the campaigns in Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas are a superb and substantial contribution to Civil War studies. Soldiering With Sherman is an informative, engaging, and core title for any personal, academic, or community library Civil War studies collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Civil War at its Purest, October 26, 2000

By 

AMY MCLERRAN DODSON (Moss, Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SOLDIERING WITH SHERMAN: THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF GEORGE F. CRAM (Hardcover)

Soldiering with Sherman makes reading about history interesting. This is a firsthand account of the civil war. You can tell that the editor did some painstaking research. I would suggest this book for any history buff.