Subdued By The Sword: A Line Officer In The 121st New York Volunteers Project Muse Upcc Books

Presents the life of Captain John S. Kidder during the Civil War, as told through letters to his wife, Harriet, at home in rural New York. Subdued by the Sword......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 12 1. The New Americans (1830–1862)......Page 16 2. “You must not fret about me” (NOVEMBER 1862–APRIL 1863)......Page 38 3. “. . . a most terrible battle” (MAY 1863–JULY 1863)......Page 62 4. “I do not wish to boast, but . . .” (AUGUST 1863–APRIL 1864)......Page 94 5. “I rec’d a severe wound in the face.” (MAY 1864)......Page 126 6. U.S. General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland (May 1864–June 1864)......Page 146 7. Elmira Prison (JULY 1864–DECEMBER 1864)......Page 174 8. “Victory is ours” (JANUARY 1865–APRIL 1865)......Page 192 9. Laurens, the Port Warden and Retirement (1865–1905)......Page 220 Appendix A......Page 228 Appendix B......Page 236 1. The New Americans (1830–1862)......Page 246 2. “You must not fret about me” (NOVEMBER 1862–APRIL 1863)......Page 250 3. “A most terrible battle” (MAY 1863–JULY 1863)......Page 253 4. “I do not wish to boast, but . . .” (AUGUST 1863–APRIL 1864)......Page 259 5. “I rec’d a severe wound in the face.” (MAY 1864)......Page 265 6. U.S. General Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland (MAY 1864–JUNE 1864)......Page 268 7. Elmira Prison (JULY 1864–DECEMBER 1864)......Page 270 8. “Victory is ours” (JANUARY 1865–APRIL 1865)......Page 273 9. Laurens, the Port Warden and Retirement (1865–1905)......Page 277 APPENDIX A......Page 278 Bibliography......Page 280 B......Page 286 C......Page 287 F......Page 288 H......Page 289 K......Page 290 M......Page 291 P......Page 292 S......Page 293 W......Page 294 Y......Page 295 Photos......Page 154 "Drawing on previously unpublished letters written by John S. Kidder to his wife, Harriet, during the Civil War, James M. Greiner recounts the triumphs and tragedies endured by one New York family. Kidder, a carriage maker living in the rural village of Laurens, responded to President Lincoln's call in the summer of 1862 for more troops by personally recruiting over seventy men living nearby. Serving under Emory Upton, considered one of the most talented soldiers produced by the Union, Kidder was captain of Company I of the 121st New York Volunteers. The regiment saw action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. Kidder's letters home contain rich details of camp life, the difficulties of commanding men who had only recently been his neighbors, and the highs and lows associated with soldiering during the Civil War. They also reveal Harriet's struggle to maintain the family home and business due to the uncertainties of army pay."--Jacket James M. Greiner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 249-254) And Index.