In 1861 William Watson, a native Scot who had established himself as a Louisiana businessman, enlisted in the Confederate forces although still a British subject. In 1887 he penned his memoirs ""to give,"" he said, ""a simple narrative of my experience in a war campaign."" Far from simple, Watson's work clearly and forcefully describes his experiences with the 3rd Louisiana Infantry in battles at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge while depicting the mundane aspects of camp life and providing delightful and colourful character sketches of fellow soldiers and officers, including the legendary General Ben McCulloch.
But Watson offers much more than the story of a soldier's life. He also provides an excellent depiction of southern society undergoing the crisis of secession and the tumultuous early years of the Civil War. Watson's status as an alien made him keenly aware of the culture of his adopted home, and the first twelve chapters of his work stand alone as a superb primary account of antebellum southern society and politics.
Thomas W. Cutrer clearly and succinctly explains the setting of Watson's memoir, thoughtfully detailing the battle history of Watson's regiment and the opinions and ideals of Watson himself.
| ISBN: | 9780807120156 |
| Publication date: | 1st October 1985 |
| Author: | William Watson |
| Publisher: | LSU Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 456 pages |
| Genres: |
Civil wars Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare) Literary companions, book reviews and guides History of the Americas |
In 1861 William Watson, a native Scot who had established himself as a Louisiana businessman, enlisted in the Confederate forces although still a British subject. In 1887 he penned his memoirs ""to give,"" he said, ""a simple narrative of my experience in a war campaign."" Far from simple, Watson's work clearly and forcefully describes his experiences with the 3rd Louisiana Infantry in battles at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge while depicting the mundane aspects of camp life and providing delightful and colourful character sketches of fellow soldiers and officers, including the legendary General Ben McCulloch.
But Watson offers much more than the story of a soldier's life. He also provides an excellent depiction of southern society undergoing the crisis of secession and the tumultuous early years of the Civil War. Watson's status as an alien made him keenly aware of the culture of his adopted home, and the first twelve chapters of his work stand alone as a superb primary account of antebellum southern society and politics.
Thomas W. Cutrer clearly and succinctly explains the setting of Watson's memoir, thoughtfully detailing the battle history of Watson's regiment and the opinions and ideals of Watson himself.
Life in the Confederate Army features in the following genres: Civil wars, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), Literary companions, book reviews and guides, History of the Americas
Life in the Confederate Army is available in Paperback
Life in the Confederate Army was written by William Watson and published by LSU Press
Life in the Confederate Army has 456 pages
£27.90