A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie: Civil War Letters of James K. Newton (North Coast Books) [Paperback]

Stephen E. Ambrose (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 1995 | Series: North Coast Books

“Unlike many of his fellows, [James Newton] was knowledgeable, intuitive, and literate; like many of his fellows he was cast into the role of soldier at only eighteen years of age. He was polished enough to write drumhead and firelight letters of fine literary style. It did not take long for this farm boy turned private to discover the grand design of the conflict in which he was engaged, something which many of the officers leading the armies never did discover.”—Victor Hicken, Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society
    “When I wrote to you last I was at Madison with no prospect of leaving very soon, but I got away sooner than I expected to.” So wrote James Newton upon leaving Camp Randall for Vicksburg in 1863 with the Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Newton, who had been a rural schoolteacher before he joined the Union army in 1861, wrote to his parents of his experiences at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, on the Red River, in Missouri, at Nashville, at Mobile, and as a prisoner of war. His letters, selected and edited by noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose, reveal Newton as a young man who matured in the war, rising in rank from private to lieutenant.
                A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie reveals Newton as a young man who grew to maturity through his Civil War experience, rising in rank from private to lieutenant. Writing soberly about the less attractive aspects of army life, Newton's comments on fraternizing with the Rebs, on officers, and on discipline are touched with a sense of humor—"a soldier's best friend," he claimed. He also became sensitive to the importance of political choices. After giving Lincoln the first vote he had ever cast, Newton wrote: "In doing so I felt that I was doing my country as much service as I have ever done on the field of battle."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James K. Newton (1843–1892) served in the Union Infantry from 1861 to 1865. Later, he studied at Oberlin College in Ohio, where he remained as professor of French and German until 1888. He died in California in 1892. Stephen E. Ambrose (1936–2002) was professor of history at the University of New Orleans. Among his many books are Undaunted Courage, Band of Brothers, and Citizen Soldiers.
 

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press (March 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299024849
• ISBN-13: 978-0299024840
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,178,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Wisconsin to Vicksburg!, October 21, 2003

By 

Todd E. Newman (Valparaiso, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie: Civil War Letters of James K. Newton (North Coast Books) (Paperback)

It is difficult to rate a book by 5 Stars or less when it is someone's diary. The book covers Newton's journey from enlistment in 1861 to final discharge in 1865. It is a rather quick read of his letters sent home although it covers the monthly grind of soldiering in the 14th Wisconsin. Newton skips many descriptions of horrific content in his letters home that was common back then and manages to keep them clean. His hardships endured through out the many years of soldiering are toned down in his writing. Perhaps, like other soldiers, he didn't want family to worry at home. His attitude towards black soldiers brings about expression that by today's standards would be considered racist. His letters do bring to light the emotion and desire to return home and also helps illustrate the psychological profiles of soldiers close to him. You can never go wrong studying letters from the Civil War as they always help bring new life to the realities of the conflict. This book certainly can bring new insight and thought to anyone looking understand more about soldiering during the Civil War.

4.0 out of 5 stars let's go back in history and read the real details with this author, January 25, 2012

By 

Gary J. Chenett "gary j chenett" (michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Wisconsin Boy in Dixie: Civil War Letters of James K. Newton (North Coast Books) (Paperback)

Terrific;
First person book written about the nitty gritty and true horrors of war.
The horrors that unfortunately most people don't expeperience,

If they only did I am convinved we would have far fewer conflicts, especially by those of us who live in the Free World....

A great read, I am a former combat Veteran and you can bet I am very Thankful I missed this war.