A Yankee at Arms: The Diary of Lieutenant Augustus D. Ayling, 29th Massachusetts Volunteers (Voices of the Civil War Series) [Hardcover]

Augustus D. Ayling (Author), Charles F. Herberger (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Editor Herberger (Three Centuries of Centerville Scenes, Centerville Historical Society, 1989) provides a fascinating introduction to Lt. Augustus D. Aylings (18401918) Civil War diary, presenting information on the military career of this Lowell, MA, native. Ayling experienced the battle of the ironclads Monitor and Merrimack, the peninsular campaign, and the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg. He later served in Kentucky and Mississippi; during the latter posting, he was present at the Battle of Vicksburg and the occupation of Jackson. Many of Aylings entries deal with his painful bouts with typhoid fever, dysentery, and malaria; his infatuation with a Kentucky belle; and his dislike for certain superior officers. Transferred to the 24th Massachusetts as a regimental adjutant and judge advocate for court martials, Ayling was stationed in Richmond in the postwar period. The endnotes are informative and the selected bibliography is appropriately tailored to the scope of the work. Recommended for specialized Civil War collections and academic libraries.John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Tennessee Press; 1st edition (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572330341
• ISBN-13: 978-1572330344
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,602 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into another time, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Yankee at Arms: The Diary of Lieutenant Augustus D. Ayling, 29th Massachusetts Volunteers (Voices of the Civil War Series) (Hardcover)

I just picked up this book because it looked interesting. I found it to be absolutely fascinating, I could not put it down. Anyone who is the least interested in the Civil War period should read this book. Do not be dismayed by the suggestions that this book should be used in all college level Civil War courses (it should!), if you are in the least bit interested in a view of another time, get this book, you won't regret it.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy of being the next classic in the Civil War, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Yankee at Arms: The Diary of Lieutenant Augustus D. Ayling, 29th Massachusetts Volunteers (Voices of the Civil War Series) (Hardcover)

Dr.Charles Frederick Herberger was my professor of English at Nasson College in Springvale,Maine. I have personnally known Dr.Herberger for nearly twenty years and I can tell you that when Dr.Herberger writes a book its usually a knockout! This one is a first rate job which should set the standards for all Civil War books written. This book should be used in all Civil War classes taught in colleges from Maine to California. Herberger is first rate and the entire Nasson College community should applaud him for what he has done. In the words of Dr. Myrl M. Young bravo!

4.0 out of 5 stars First Hand Account of 19th Century Soldier Life, July 20, 2002

By 

Mark A. Savage - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Yankee at Arms: The Diary of Lieutenant Augustus D. Ayling, 29th Massachusetts Volunteers (Voices of the Civil War Series) (Hardcover)

Although not compelling reading (thus 4 stars), this is a great book for those students of the Civil War and daily soldier life. If you are a re-enactor, this should be on or near the top of your list of required reading.

Much of the books materials are taken from diary entries, and provide a very detailed insight into the everyday life of a soldier in the Army of the Potomac. The day-to-day routine is so well reflected that the writing style illustrates it to a tee. I couldn't help but feel for these brave men.

Although the major actions that the 29th Massachusetts didn't include our main character, the unit's history is laid out very nicely in the book. An interesting aspect is that of the wounded soldier trying to heal in pre-advanced medical situations. It is staggering still to imagine what these men had to deal with once injured.

Read it when you can. A book well done.