'Co. Aytch' - Maury Grays, First Tennessee Regiment

Anecdotes from Civil War battles as experienced by a Confederate soldier. Sometimes brutal and horrible, sometimes moving, inspirational, and spritual, sometimes humorous. This is definitely not your typical history book.

An excerpt from Wikipedia on author Sam R. Watkins:

"Of the 120 men who enlisted in “Company H” in 1861, Sam Watkins was one of only seven alive when General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of Tennessee surrendered to General William Tecumseh Sherman in North Carolina April, 1865."

This is the story as told from the soldiers eye view. The words do not come from the Grants or the lees or any of the Names we associate with the political and or command structure of either side. This was a conflict years in the making. Very rare is it that you have a chance to view the details of the actual participants and this must be preserved. We as americans prefer the cliff notes where everything is Black and white. Simple, Easy! For the men who fought and died it was neither easy or simple! They fought to shape a country as they saw it and should be applauded on both sides. I love this book!!

Some years ago I worked with a former Marine, one of those guys who did 4 tours in the Nam and was sedated for states-side life. He was losing it so I gave him a copy of Sam Watkins book and that helped him quite a bit. "You'll love it" I said. "Theres a part when the guy starts assigning personalities to the cannon balls as they fly by" and another where "He walks around a bend in the path and there is a whole group of soldiers frozen-dead, still standing." It's a powerful read. Good books like this should be issued to soliders just like they used to do with cigarettes. (I served in the Navy - gravey duty.) If you're listening Sam, thanks for the great book.

i hated the book cant c y anyone would read it the introduction had too many BIG words

I loved the book. His use of language, especially the way he wrote when he imitated the Dutch soldiers. This is a book I will prorbably reread. Fascinating recllection of his experience as a private in the confederate army.

I love this book and have read it many times. It is must reading for all who would understand the Civil War, the private Southern soldier, and the horrors of warfare.

This work is a must read for all students of the American Civil
War. Mr. Watkins' words on the subject of the war allow for a very introspective view of life in the ranks of the 1st Tennessee Regiment. He gives us glimpse of his experience, but, as he says, "Leaves us to history for the details."