Subject
United States. Army -- Military life -- History -- 19th century Books
Best books
John Davis Billings
Hardtack and coffee : $b or, the unwritten story of Army life, including chapters on enlisting, life in tents and log huts, jonahs and beats, offences and punishments, raw recruits, foraging, corps and corps badges, the wagon trains, the Army mule, the Engineer Corps, the Signal Corps, etc.
"Hardtack and coffee : or, the unwritten story of Army life" by John D. Billings is a memoir published in 1887. A veteran of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery Battery, Billings offers an intimate look at everyday Union soldier life during the American Civil War—not the battles, but the camps, marches, rations, and routines. Enhanced by Charles W. Reed's pen and ink drawings, the book combines humor with vivid detail, revealing what it truly meant to be a common soldier in America's defining conflict.
Elizabeth Bacon Custer
Tenting on the Plains; or, General Custer in Kansas and Texas
"Tenting on the Plains; or, General Custer in Kansas and Texas" by Elizabeth B. Custer is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book recounts the experiences of General George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Libbie, as they embark on a journey to Texas after the American Civil War. Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, it likely explores themes of military life, post-war challenges, and the camaraderie between Custer, his troops, and family. The opening of the narrative sets a poignant tone as General Custer prepares for departure from the Army of the Potomac amidst a heartfelt farewell from his soldiers. Libbie Custer reflects on the emotional weight of their parting, suggesting a deep bond with the men under her husband's command. The reader is introduced to the excitement of the journey to Texas, marked by the chaotic joy of discharged soldiers aboard the train and Libbie’s own anxieties about the challenges they would face in this lawless land. As they travel, the couple encounters moments that highlight the abrupt transition from military life to their new frontier adventures, emphasizing both the excitement and uncertainty that lay ahead.
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