Tramping With the Legion: A Carolina Rebel's Story [Paperback]

C. Eugene Scruggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2006

The Carolina Rebels of Company K, Holcombe Legion, were true sons of the Upstate. Brothers, cousins, and neighbors- all were well-suited for service in the independent brigade commanded by Ol’Shanks (Brig. Gen. Nathan Evans). The “boys” of Company K wore out many a set of boots “tramping” with the Legion wherever the regiment was needed- Charleston, Richmond, Malvern Hill, Rappahannock Station, Manassas Junction, Kinston, Wilmington, Jackson, Savannah and Petersburg.

One member of Co. K tells the story of his adventures with the legion, his capture at Stony Creek, his dramatic escape from the infamous Union prison in Elmira, New York, and his harrowing trek back to Virginia through the mountains of Pennsylvania and Maryland, helped along the way by copperheads, Dunkards and Dutch.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

C. Eugene "Gene" Scruggs holds a doctorate in literature and linguistics from the University of Kentucky. Over a forty-five year career he taught at Appalachaian State University, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of South Florida. In addition he also served as guest lecturer at the University of Paris in 1984 and tutor at Cambridge University in 1995. After this long career in higher education, Gene now holds the rank of Professor Emeritus. During his active career, in addition to teaching a wide variety of courses in literature, linguistics and history, Gene administered Study Abroad and Exchange Programs for the International Affairs Center at the University of South Florida. His long-time commitment and contribution to international education led his state-wide colleagues to bestow on him the title President Emeritus of the Florida Consortium for Internation Education. Gene has authored two previous books on academic subjects and written numerous articles and conference papers. For his efforts to disseminate an understanding and appreciation France's contribution to Western culture, Gene was awarded the coveted rank of Chevalier des Palmes Academiques by the Prime Minister of France in 2003. Since retiring, Gene spends much of his time painting (watercolor and pastel media), writing and guest lecturing. One of his recent presentations was entitled: Art and Architecture in the Da Vinci Code. Gene is a member of the Lakeland Art Guild and a partner in the Imperial Art Gallery. Gene and his wife, La Donna, have two daughters and four granddaughters. Presently they and their "baby" (a Shih Tzu named Ming) divide their time between Florida and the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (November 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425102336
• ISBN-13: 978-1425102333
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

C. Eugene Scruggs, known to friends as "Gene," is professor emeritus at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Gene taught university-level courses for many years to both undergraduates and graduates. He presented courses in linguistics, French language and literature, and French history and culture. His book titled France: Traditions in Transition was used as a college-level text for courses in French civilization and culture. Another book, Charles Dassoucy: Adventured in the Age of Louis XIV, shed new light on one of the most prolific poets and prose writers remaining true to "baroque" esthetics throughout the early years of the age of classicism. Over the years Scruggs held several administrative posts: Chair of the foreign languages department, director of university student exchanges, and director of international relations. For this long service to academia, Gene received major recognition. In 2002 he was granted the rank of "chevalier" in the Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Academic Merit) by the Prime Minister of France. Later his colleagues in international education for the State of Florida awarded him the title of "President Emeritus." In 2009 Gene's undergraduate alma mater granted him the "Distinguished Achievement Award."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandpa Scrugg's Civil War Stories, February 1, 2007

By 

Jean H. Cooley (Lakeland, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tramping With the Legion: A Carolina Rebel's Story (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading Grandpa Scruggs' account of his experiences in Company K, Holcombe Legion of South Carolinians fighting for their state's freedom from the tyranny of the Union. The format of night time stories told by Grandpa Scruggs to his grandchildren kept a dramatic tension in the book that helped keep me reading. We learn about the courage and commitment of Judd and other soldiers to their cause. We learn of the hardships, boredom,and horror of life as a foot soldier. The ways captured soldiers were treated changed as the war progressed. Judd experienced both ways. Because of the personal focus of this book, we also learn how the war caught up extended families and effected them. We also get glimpses of life back at home while the men were at war. I highly recommend Eugene Scruggs' book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Civil War novel, October 25, 2011

By 

M. Scruggs (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tramping With the Legion: A Carolina Rebel's Story (Paperback)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War, or the War Between the States, as the southerners called it. It gives a unique view into the life of a Confederate soldier, a side of the war not usually acknowledged in such a way. Told from the perspective of a man retelling his experiences to his grandchildren, this book could even catch the interests of young readers. C. Eugene Scruggs does an incredible job of fitting explanations of terms alien to the twenty-first century into the storyline naturally. This is a great book for people of all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Surviving Elmira, January 31, 2007

By 

Roger W. Cole (Tampa, FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tramping With the Legion: A Carolina Rebel's Story (Paperback)

Eugene Scruggs has made a valuable contribution to the history of the War Between the States with his account of the exploits of his great grandfather, Judson Puryear Scruggs, as an enlisted man in the Holcombe Legion, South Carolina Volunteers. To be sure, Scrugg's book is another in the "Johnny Reb and Billy Yank" tradition of oral history accounts from the point of view of the ordinary foot soldier. However, it is given context by a body of historical research, and a truly insightful introduction to some of this conflict's enduring themes. For many readers, the most interesting parts of the narrative will be those about life under horrible conditions in the POW camp at Elmira, NY, Judson's resourceful escape therefrom, and his traverse through enemy territory to Virginia.
In my opinion, however, as an avid student of the conflict rather than a professional historian, Scrugg's finest achievement was in his reconstruction of Judson's narrative within a quasi-fictional framework, in which he recreates not only the voice of his great-grandfather, but also that of the grandchildren who are auditors of the story. This teachnique not only creates a sense of immediacy in the flow of the narrative, but instills a kind of novelistic suspense which makes it enjoyable for the reader. This approach also permits Scruggs to render narrative as a truly "oral history," in that he has recreated the language of the period --- the regional dialect of 19th century Southerner. His handling of the artistic problem of the use of "eye dialect," moreover, is deftly handled: instead of generating pages of mangled orthography, Scruggs includes only occasional phonetic spellings, opting instead for the dialectal phrase, the idiom, and the speech rhythmns of his people. Professional historians may take issue with Scrugg's decision to treat his material in this way; other readers may enjoy it as thoroughly as I did.

Roger Cole
January 29, 2007