Three Years in the Army of the Cumberland: The Letters and Diary of Major James A. Connolly (Civil War Centennial Series) [Paperback]

James A. Connolly (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 1996 | Series: Civil War Centennial Series

"... offers an unsurpassed chronicle of the war in the West." —Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"This eyewitness account brings a better understanding to a conflict that brought a nation to its knees." —Historical Media Review

"... an exceptional Civil War narrative. It has value for the military and literary historian." —War, Literature, and the Arts

The letters and diary of Major James Austin Connolly, 123rd Illinois Infantry, constitute an unsurpassed record of Civil War campaigning in the West. Connolly had a flair for narrative, an eye for people and places, and a smooth and facile style. His accounts offer a realistic picture of day-to-day soldiering in the Civil War—of rough, spare living in the field, of boredom and fun in camp, of seemingly aimless scouts, and of the high excitement of battle.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

PAUL ANGLE was Director and Secretary of the Chicago Historical Society. He was author of many books, including Mary Lincoln, Wife and Widow (with Carl Sandburg), Here I Have Lived: A History of Lincoln's Springfield, A Shelf of Lincoln's Books, and The Lincoln Reader.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (June 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253210739
• ISBN-13: 978-0253210739
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rather mundane, November 2, 2011

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Dr. Dave in Fresno "David Paul Davenport" (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Three Years in the Army of the Cumberland: The Letters and Diary of Major James A. Connolly (Civil War Centennial Series) (Paperback)

I purchased this believing I would learn a great deal about Wilder's Lightning Brigade because the 123rd Illinois was one of the four regiments in this brigade. Unfortunately, Major Connolly's letters to his wife included little about any military matters because he was afraid his letters might be intercepted and read by the Rebels and in September 1863 he transferred to the position of inspector for the Division commanded by General Baird, so his diary contains boring administrative stuff. Also, the "editor" of the book, Paul Angle, added nothing in the form of explanatory footnotes to overcome these profound weaknesses. I really question why Indiana University Press decided to publish this book.