Letters from the Iron Brigade: George Washington Partridge, Jr., 1839-1863: Civil War Letters to His Sisters

by George Washington Partridge and Hugh L. Whitehouse

These are the letters of George Washington Partridge, Jr., who enlisted in the Union Army in August, 1861, in the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers, fought in the Iron Brigade, a Western brigade in the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1878208470
• ISBN13: 9781878208477
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Guilde Press of Indiana
• Length: 117 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A Special Viewpoint of the Common Soldier

This small but important collection of letters bears the stamp of the common soldier through and through. Partridge's political and personal attitudes towards the war reflect what modern scholars have come to identify as the norm among Federal soldiers during the early part of the war. Written in a simple and direct style, Partridge brings us inside the 7th Wisconsin by sharing his attitudes and experiences on the events he lives. This is complemented by a short commentary by Hugh Whitehouse, who offers brief and intelligent psychological insights and a historical context to understand Partridge's letters. After journeying with Partridge through the joys, hopes, fears and discomforts of his soldiering life, one feels a loss when he is killed at the battle of Gettysburg and his letters come to an end.

Excellent historical content, and interesting to read!

I thought this book was well laid out by it's author, who happens to be a descendant from the subject's family. The historical content is excellent, and provides some good insight for history buffs and reenactors alike on the personal opinions and emotions of a soldier in the 7th Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to know more about the men of the legendary Black Hats! In all, a total of 27 letters are published here from George Washington Partridge, Jr. to his sisters, giving the reader a first-hand account of the Civil War through the eyes of a Union soldier.