Research

[Yankee1861]

I am new to the hobby of reenacting, this is my second year in the hobby. I portray a Federal Private in the Western Theatre. I really want to improve my impression to the best of my abilities and to do that I have begun reading several books on the Infantryman in the Civil War. The books I have now are 'The Civil War Infantryman' by Gregory A. Coco, 'The Life of Billy Yank: The Common Soldier of the Union' by Bell Irvin Wiley, 'Corporal Si Klegg' by Wilbur F. Hinman, and 'Hardtack & Coffee' by John D. Billings. What other books would be a good account of the life of the common soldier in the Civil War?


-Todd Oberkfell

[Michael Comer]

Re: Research

Todd,

Welcome to the forum and the hobby. The question you are asking has a huge number of answers - too many for someone to sit here and list. The books you have listed are a good start but there are many more. I would suggest using the search function up top and typing in some specifics you want to know about. All of this has been discussed many, many times and the posts are archived for new folks to search and find. Try that and then come back with some specific questions. I think you'll find a lot of answers searching and gleaning the collective knowlege of people on this forum by doing that instead of posting very broad requests.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Research

Todd, sending you a PM.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Research

Here are some books to get you started:

Soldiering; Rice Bull

Diary of a Deadman; Ira Petit

Gone For a Soldier; Alfred Bellard

Story of a Common Soldier; Leander Stillwell

Hard Marching Everyday; Wilbur Fisk

Si Klegg, and Hard Tack and Coffee as you know are excellent reads.