Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal of James Henry Avery [Hardcover]

James Henry Avery (Author), Karla Jean Husby (Compiler), Eric J. Wittenberg (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

Avery fought in the legendary Michigan Cavalry Brigade

Avery's battles included Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Yellow Tavern, Haws Shop, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, and Trevilian Station

Includes thirty-two rare photographs and illustrations, and ten maps

George Armstrong Custer's fabled Fifth Regiment fought with great distinction throughout the war and suffered the third highest total of men killed in the entire Union cavalry. A twenty-four year old farmer from Hopkins, Michigan, named James Henry Avery was one of Custer's feared "wolverines." Besides eloquently describing his personal experiences, Sergeant Avery's wartime journals and postwar reminiscences provide uniquely detailed descriptions of Civil War cavalry movements and the only known account that addresses the escape elements of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry on the first day of the Battle of Trevilian Station.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Civil War buffs will be interested in the life and times of a Michigan farmer who enlists in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry . . ." -- Florida Times Union

“Promises to stand the test of time long after many other works have been forgotten." -- Civil War Book Review

“Provides an astute perspective of a Union cavalryman in the Civil War . . .a “must” for all Civil War buffs.” -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Karla Jean Husby is the great-great-granddaughter of James Henry Avery. She lives in Marysville, Washington. Eric J. Wittenberg is the author of Gettysbur's Forgotten Cavalry Actions. He lives in Columbuis, Ohio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Brassey's Inc; 1st edition (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574882767
• ISBN-13: 978-1574882766
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An astute perspective on the life of a Union cavalryman, March 10, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal of James Henry Avery (Hardcover)

George Armstrong Custer's fabled Fifth Regiment fought with great distinction throughout the American civil war and suffered the third highest total of men killed in the entire Union Calvary. James Henry Avery, a 24 year old farmer from Hopkins, Michigan was on of Custer's feared "Wolverines". He eloquently described his personal war-time experiences in journals and postwar reminiscences, providing uniquely detailed descriptions of Civil War cavalry movements, and presents the only known account addressing the escape of elements of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry on the first day of the Battle of Trevilian Station. Other battles described include Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Yellow Tavern, Haws Shop, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, and Trevilian Station. Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal Of James Henry Avery provides an astute perspective on the life of a Union cavalryman in the Civil War and is a "must" for all Civil War buffs and civil war studies reference collections.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One from the Heart, January 14, 2001

By 

Steven M. Leonard (Fort Leavenworth, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal of James Henry Avery (Hardcover)

As editor Eric J. Wittenberg expands his library of Custer-related works, they continue to improve on the already growing collection of first-person accounts of the "Boy General's" Michigan Cavalry. As the preeminent biographer of Brevet Brigadier General James Kidd, Wittenberg provides readers with a sense of "being there," and inescapable feeling that they are sharing a fireside chat with a living, breathing veteran of our own Civil War.

"Under Custer's Command" is sure to please any readers of his previous collections of James Kidd. The latest book, a well-preserved and edited anthology of the personal journals of Sergeant James Henry Avery, an enlisted man who served with Custer during his formative years, continues Wittenberg's efforts to detail the wartime activities of the Michigan 6th Cavalry. One of the most successful mounted commands during the war, the "Wolverine's" received far less acclaim and few of the accolades enjoyed by cavalry units led by men such as Jeb Stuart and Stonewall Jackson.

"Under Custer's Command" is a rare jewel among surviving first-person accounts. The language is frank, yet simple: the work of a man interested less in impressing than in preserving his personal observations of history. Avery's journals offer an invaluable glimpse into the mind and soul of a man fighting for his country, his values, and his family. This wonderful book is a fantastic addition to any serious Civil War Custer library.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best memoir by an enlisted man I have seen yet...., December 21, 2000

By 

S. Driscol - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Custer's Command: The Civil War Journal of James Henry Avery (Hardcover)

This book is the best memoir by an enlisted cavalryman I have ever seen, and I read a lot of Civil War books. At the end of the book, I felt like I had just finished a long conversation with Avery. Buy this book and enjoy it.