The Greatest Trials I Ever Had: The Civil War Letters Of Margaret And Thomas Cahill (new Perspectives On The Civil War Era Ser.)

This edited collection of Civil War correspondence between Col. Thomas Cahill and his wife, Margaret, offers a rare glimpse into the symbiotic relationship between soldiers and their home communities. In the only substantial extant collection of letters from an Irish American woman on the northern home front, Margaret’s pivotal role as a go-between in the financial affairs of men in the regiment and their wives is made evident, as is the broader interplay between the community of New Haven, Connecticut, and the regiment. The couple’s correspondence was nearly constant in their four years apart. There is an inherent intimacy in the way that daily life during the Civil War is documented and in particular in the gradual revelation of the emotional toll taken by a long-distance relationship. Because the volume includes letters from both Cahill and his wife, the interplay between the regiment and the home front is traced in a way most collections are not able to achieve. This lively correspondence provides a great introduction to primary source reading for students of the Civil War home front. These teaching opportunities will supplemented by a companion website that features more correspondence, maps, and additional learning materials. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Introduction 10 Editorial Method 24 CHAPTER 1. Organization: Fall 1861 26 CHAPTER 2. “A Prefect Paradise of a sand Spit”: January–February 1862 46 CHAPTER 3. “It was awfully sublime”: March–May 1862 58 CHAPTER 4. “You may well call this a horrible war”: June–August 1862 96 CHAPTER 5. “All is ‘fair in Love war and Politics’ ”: September 1862–January 1863 118 CHAPTER 6. “All my command are on detached ‘provost Duty’ ”: April–October 1863 163 CHAPTER 7. “My plan is to get home and there if I have a choice express it”: July–October 1864 197 Bibliography 226 Index 236 A 236 B 236 C 236 D 236 E 236 F 237 G 237 H 237 J 237 K 237 L 237 M 237 N 238 O 238 P 238 R 238 S 238 T 238 U 239 V 239 W 239 This Edited Collection Of Civil War Correspondence Between Col. Thomas Cahill And His Wife, Margaret, Offers A Rare Glimpse Into The Symbolic Relationship Between Soldiers And Their Home Communities. In The Only Substantial Extant Collection Of Letters From And Irish American Woman On The Northern Home Front, Margaret's Pivotal Role As A Go-between In The Financial Affairs Of Men In The Regiment And Their Wives Is Made Evident, As Is The Broader Interplay Between The Community Of New Haven, Connecticut, And The Regiment. -- Back Cover Organization: Fall 1861 -- A Prefect Paradise Of A Sand Spit: January-february 1862 -- It Was Awfully Sublime: March-may 1862 -- You May Well Call This A Horrible War: June-august 1862 -- All Is 'fair In Love War And Politics': September 1862-january 1863 -- All My Command Are On Detached 'provost Duty' April-october 1863 -- My Plan Is To Get Home And There If I Have A Choice Express It: July-october 1864. Edited By Ryan W. Keating. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.