Letters From The War: Chapter Four

Those letters to their wives must have been hard to read and absorb. It is easy to understand that the battle-worn soldiers no longer cared about politics. Being there to support their comrades in arms was essential to them. Just staying alive and returning home to their families would have been their highest priority.

Bill, I can't fathom the life of a soldier. I honestly don't think I'd ever recover if I saw such death and mutilation on a daily basis. Shoot, not even if just once!

Allegiance to warring comrades seems to replace bravery and believing/fighting for a cause. It comes down to survival. But does anyone really survive war?

Bug and rodent infested diseases combined with hunger became just as bad as flying bullets in the prolonged miserable war, good inclusion, Bill.

Bill

I love history, always have, and always will, but these hubs make things come alive.

Sitting down and writing to a loved one is probably what every soldier thinks about on the eve of battle, and your description that the two men give, I can well imagine them sat there, pencil and whatever writing material they can find in hand.

Well done

And happy new year

Lawrence

Hi Bill...

I'm embarrassed to admit that I hadn't heard of Bruce Catton before, but I'm sure he is honored with your dedication.

Your in-depth knowledge of US history has enriched some fo your stories, and now, these letters from Samuel to Julia, and Jedidiah to Hannah -- from both sides of the endless "brother against brother" fighting. (And so many thought that the Civil War would be over in just a few short months.)

My one complaint about learning history in school (I wish we'd had a teacher like you!), was the tedious memorization of facts and dates, with little insight into the people who lived those year -- they were more than words on a page, or images on canvass.

What these men had to endure is terrible. No wonder Abe's portraits seemed to have aged over a decade during his years in office. Your letters are just riveting, and take us into the hearts of these men, the battlefields, the encampments and more. This is one history lesson I will remember, always. Excellent writing.

I forgot to mention that your photos are awesome! Especially love the one with the path through the undergrowth. Enchanting.

I agree with Chris about avoiding the surgeons. 'Gone With the Wind' makes for some cringe-worthy reading on that front.

Sad memories and war effects,,touches your heart deep inside.Brilliant work,,will go through other parts too.

A simple shoulder wound in that environment could be deadly. But he was probably wise to avoid the surgeons. Very real, Bill. Thanks again.

Compelling, authentic and pulls at my heart strings ...

On this Thanksgiving Day, I wish you and Bev a day of peace, love and many smiles. Love, Maria

Fascinating and sad to read but looking forward to more. Thanks for adding the videos.

It seems that both sides are united in one thing: staying alive. This seems to be a common theme in conflicts the world over. When the reality of war sets in, the survival instinct takes over and all the high ideals go out the window. The only thing that matters is going home.

Bill, this is a look at the realities of war on both sides, it is sad but, that is the way it is.

Blessings my friend.

Bill, I must say, out of all that you wrote, this stood out in monster letters - "That is the reality of war for any soldier, to simply stay alive until the madness ends." You really bring the past to life.

Hello Bill - I like the way the soldiers, both blue and gray, try to shield those at home. A very realistic portrayal.

Likely this is your best work to date in its realism, its truth and in revealing the true nature of battle, "Like two mongrel dogs locked in a forever grip of struggle." So very sad.

Your portrayal of war through these letters is beyond moving. This series is worthy of a book.

The sadness, misery, and terrible conditions of the real-life situation are very evident in the letters, Bill. It's important that we learn about the situation and remember it.

I'm really enjoying this, but this one makes me so sad. How true that the politics do not mean much to the people fighting. Staying alive is all.

Thanks Bill this is great work. "Letters". Waiting for them and sending them. Interesting to ponder.

Another interesting one. The history is beyond me, but yes, sometimes men are fighting just to stay alive and their thoughts are naturally on their loved ones. I bet that they ask themselves a few questions also.

What to do? man's inhumanity to man is not new. Heaven help us.

Another great read.

It was only the mention by Lincoln in a speech of slavery in the South that saw Britain, France and Spain distance themselves from the Confederate cause. Until then Europe was content to sell weaponry and ammunition to a Confederacy that lacked heavy industry that was mostly north of the Mason-Dixon Line (these two were British surveyors).

We've had civil wars in the past, 'dressed up' as family feuds such as the one against Henry III by Simon de Montfort, the later dispute between descendants of Edward III - Edward IV, the 'Rose of Rouen' was a bastard son of Yorkist duke Richard's wife Cecily Neville and an English archer whilst Richard was on campaign in Picardy. His opposite number was Henry VI, son of the warrior king Henry V, who was ushered by his wife the savage Margaret into war. Then we had the 'official' Civil War between Parliament and Charles I that led to 'Chuckie' parting company with his head on a cold January morning. We've managed to avoid countless 'near misses' since we were kicked out of the American colonies after Yorktown under Lord Cornwallis. George the Prince Regent only held onto the tiller by virtue of Parliament extracting his purse. Otherwise he might have gone the same way as Louis across the water in France. Georgie Washington was only saved from the scaffold by European purse strings.

Such is the difference between treason and patriotism, alliances and blocs.

An edifying piece of writing, Bill. It could just as easily have been about WWI in the Trenches, the next 'show'.

All the motivation in these men has gone.

I can imagine the wives waiting for the next letter as proof their husband is still alive.

Another moving installment, great read.

I've attended reenactments of Civil War, visited local museums dedicated to the Civil War and even the Confederate White House and museum (amazing place), and it's so important to remember the reality and bitterness that engulfed this nation during this time. You capture well some of the emotional misery and loneliness.

I love the way you demonstrate that war has no purpose moral or otherwise to the warrior. There is only survival.

Very insightful and deeply sounded out.

The first letter particularly moved me. The reality for him and his comrads is that the purpose of the war has been lost. It's only about killing, blood, and staying alive. Samuel sounds so despondent, full of futility. My heart is deeply stirred in this story.

Cynic? Never! You and I both; I totally agree.

A Twinkling-Turquoise Thursday is just what I need, so thank you, bill. Neighbour getting worse but hey, others are supporting and I'd rather have the balance that way!

A therapeutic Thursday to you, bill.

Ann

You bring out the real horrors of war, Bill, that go way beyond fighting for a cause.

Bill, you are doing a wonderful job of bringing this story to life, giving it real feeling with real people.

The numbers of casualties are just beyond comprehension. To lose 22,000 is like simply wiping Mercer Island off of the map. If politicians and generals were the ones putting their lives in peril there would probably be no wars. Unfortunately, that will never happen.

Bill, this was a great epistolary short story excerpt for the Civil War. You're such a good storyteller and do write real well. Nice work.

Just goes to show that any soldier experiences the same and all end up just fighting for a cause they don't really understand. Even those that direct don't seem to know in the end. And so it goes on today.....

When, oh when, will they all wake up?

Brilliant portrayal of how it was, up front and personal.

Well done, bill.

Ann

Wars seem to be fought to enrich those who make weapons! For the ordinary soldier, it is as you say, no sleep, no food, no glory and death ever present.