Flicker -> RE: With the Old Breed (1/27/2012 8:27:32 PM)
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After the war, Sledge graduated from Auburn then earned a PhD at Florida. He taught biology for almost 30 years at the University of Montevallo (formerly known as a quiet "milk and cookie" school) in his home state of Alabama. I like reading first person accounts - "From Huntsville to Appomattox" edited by Stocker, is Adjutant Robert Cole's account of the 4th Alabama, CSA Army of Northern Virginia, which fought in almost every Eastern campaign. Here's a vignette from action during the siege of Petersburg: "...the assault was made, and a gloriously successful one it was to our arms. The men went yelling, running, and fighting through horses, wagons, cannons, and camp, troopers fleeing in every direction. It was a regular picnic for the boys. Major Robbins cried out, "Look boys, I've at last found a prize worth fighting for." Holding aloft a frying pan with a good long handle and waving it in lieu of his sword, he cheered and urged the men forward, and appeared to value his capture immensely, until a bullet from one of Kautz's repeating Spencer rifles went through the bottom of it, and it was doubtless a more severe wound than the brave and gallant old soldier received in the Wilderness". In addition to Semmes "Memoirs of Service Afloat", I recommend "Wolf of the Deep" by Fox (Semmes and the CSS Alabama); "Sea Wolf of the Confederacy" by Shaw (Read and the CSS Florida); and "Lamson of the Gettysburg" edited by McPherson (first person USN brown water and blockade account - namesake of DD Lamson).
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