CS Diaries & Reminiscences

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER DIARIES & VETERAN’S REMINISCENCES

 The following is a list of published diaries and reminiscences by soldiers that saw service in the mounted units of Confederate cavalry or artillery. Diaries and reminiscences such as these are very valuable to the historian in the study of the fighting, movements, battlefields and organizations of units such as companies, regiments, batteries and armies. Possibly of more importance, these written records offer a great wealth of knowledge as to what the individual soldiers of these mounted units thought and cared about, what they ate, how they dressed, traveled, drilled, socialized, suffered, lived and died. They also make reading that is incredibly thrilling, adventurous, sometimes unbelievable, often sad but always interesting. Diaries and reminiscences are always included. However, in many cases these entries include public addresses or speeches made by the Confederate veterans in their twilight years. It should be noted that due to time and space constraints the list generally could not always include records, papers or individual letters from archival and manuscript collections or found published either in Historical Quarterlies, newspapers or Confederate Veteran’s magazines. Some war time correspondence was included but only if the letters were published in readily accessible form such as books and on-line sources.
 
Agnew, Samuel Andrew, Diary of Samuel Andrew Agnew, Sept. 27, 1863 – June 30, 1864. #923, Manuscripts Dept., Southern Historical Collection, UNC-CH, Academic Affairs Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Electronic Edition, Documenting the American South, or, The Southern Experience in 19th Century America. Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/agnew/agnew.html. Agnew (1833-1902) was a preacher living in northeast Mississippi near Baldwyn. He extensively notes the war news, Southern and Northern army movements in the South and northeast Mississippi, its affects on the local population, the weather and individual area soldier’s movements in the army. Most importantly, the local civilian perspective on N.B. Forrest, his cavalry and the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads and its aftermath which was fought literally in his yard. There is no better view of the war in this part of Mississippi and the Battle of Brice’s Crossroad from a civilians perspective than can be found in this diary.      
                                                                                                                                                     

Alexander, E. Porter. Military Memoirs of a Confederate. New York: Scribners, 1907; Dayton: Morningside Books, 1977.                                                                                                                                                         

Anderson, Carter S. Train Running for the Confederacy, 1861-1865, An Eyewitness Memoir., Edited by Col. Walbrook D Swank. Published by the Editor in 1990 subsequent printings by Burd Street Press, White Mane Publishing, Shippensburg, Pa. Rare and colorful account of Southern railways, Anderson rode the rails all his life starting as Baggage Master then Passenger Conductor during the war on the Virginia Central Railroad running between Richmond and Gordonsville Virginia. His memoir reveals a rough life on the rails and the difficulty and danger in keeping the railroads operating in war time.  

                                                                                                                                                            
Anderson, Ephriam M. Memoirs: Historical and Personal; Including the Campaigns of the 1st Missouri Confederate Brigade. Times Printing Company, 1868. St. Louis, Good information on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Missouri Cavalry Regiments.
                                                                                                                                                              
Anderson, John Q, Campaigning with Parson’s Texas Cavalry, C.S.A., The War Journal and Letters of the Four Orr Brothers, 12 Texas Cavalry Regiment, Hill Junior College, Hillsboro, Texas, 1967. The four Orr Brothers enlisted as privates in the 12th Texas and all survived the war. Two brothers remained with the cavalry fighting in eastern and Southern Arkansas and in Louisiana including Pleasant Hill and Mansfield. The other two brothers also served west of the river with the 12th before being captured at Arkansas Post in 1863. Imprisoned at Camp Douglas upon returning they were assigned to the infantry east of the Mississippi River. With Gen’l. Pat Cleburne’s Division they fought at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Atlanta and Franklin. The Orr’s differing personalities shine through their very intelligent, engaging and descriptive letters weaving an interesting narrative of their relationships, travels, hardships and battles most notably the campaigns around Atlanta and the horror of Franklin. An excellent read.
                                                                                                                                                                           
Avirett, James B. Memoirs of Turner Ashby & His Compeers. Collection of personal reminiscences and source material on Turner Ashby. Sehlby & Dulany, Baltimore, 1867.                                                      
                                                                                                                                  
Baker, Norval. Diary and Recollections of Norval Baker. Rollin Larrick ed., Vol. III, Winchester, Va. Winchester-Fredrick County Historical Society Papers, 1955. Very nice narrative but short, Baker rode with Co. F, 18th Va. Cavalry.
                                                                                                                                                                     
Barb, Thomas J., Dirary of Thomas J Barb, Special Collections, University of Notre Dame,South Bend Indiana. On line access: www.rarebooks.nd.edu/digital/civil_war/ diaries_journals/index.shtml. Very rare account of Trans-Mississippi Cavalry service. Barb served in Co. D, “Dobins” 1st Arkansas Cavalry. His diary includes only a very short period of June 18 – Sept 11, 1863 but is bracketed by several sharp engagements under Gen. Sterling Price during a significant phase of the Trans-Mississippi war including Price’s failed attack on the Federal base at Helena, on the Mississippi. Barb also has a good deal to say of this forty day campaign, which ended with Price’s defense and the evacuation of Little Rock on September, 10, 1863.

Barr, James Michael, Let Us Meet in Heaven: The Civil War Letters Of James Michael Barr, 5th South Carolina Cavalry. McWhiney Foundation Press, Abilene, KS. 2001. 279 pgs. Letters from Barr to his wife Rebecca from his enlistment in January 1863 through his return home. Includes descriptions of battles, camp life and participation in his slave holding farm operation from afar.

Barron, S.B., The Lone Star Defenders, A Chronicle of the Third Texas Cavalry, Ross Brigade, Neale Publishing Company, New York and Washington, 1868. An exceptional account. Barron rose from private to Lieutenant in Co. A and tells his story in colorful detail. Fighting in Miss., Tenn., Kentucy, Georgia under Wheeler and Forrest Barron’s insights, adventures and details of the life of a Texas cavalryman is told in fluid, personal and very readable style. Great insight into life as a cavarlyman and his time in the infantry! Battles include Jackson, Miss., Atlanta, Corinth, many of Forrest’s finest moments and skirmishes too numerous to denote. Available in reprint form.

Barry, James B. A Texas Ranger and Frontiersman: The Days of Buck Barry in Texas, 1845-1906. Edited by James K Greer, The Southwest Press, Dallas, 1932. A member of McCullouch’s 1st Texas Mounted Rifles in 1861 and later an officer in a Frontier Regiment of cavalry, Barry tells about the hardships of life on a cavalry outpost.

Bartlett, Napier, A Soldier’s Story of the War: Including the Marches and Battles of the Washington Artillery and Other Louisiana Troops. Clark & Hofeline, New Orleans. 1874. The title seems to describe the book adequately.

Bates, James C. A Texas Cavalry Officers Civil War, The Diary and Letters of James C. Bates. Richard Lowe, ed. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1999. Excellent, gripping narrative written by a very observant, highly educated Lt Colonel with the 9th Texas Cavalry. Tough and hard fighting, his faith in the Confederacy never wavered through the fighting in the Indian Territory, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Holly springs, Jackson Mississippi and Thompson Station. Even after being horrifically wounded in the face around Atlanta he returned to his regiment in the closing days of the war. The South’s capitulation shocked and completely demoralized the still recovering and disfigured Bates. He apparently wandered aimlessly until Christmas 1865 when he finally returned home married his sweetheart and became a Doctor yet died prematurely from the lingering effects of his service.

Baylor, George, Bull Run to Bull Run or Four Years in the Army of Northern Virginia. Well written reminiscence written by Capt. George Baylor, Co. B, 12 Va. This storied regiment fought at many of Virginia’s famous cavalry battles including Jackson’s Valley Campaign, Harper’s Ferry, Brandy Station, Upperville, Trevillions, Ream’s Station, Haw’s Shop, Tom’s Brook and more Baylor was often recognized for gallantry, personal bravery and leadership by the Who’s Who of the Virginia Confederacy including Turner Ashby, JEB Stuart, R E Lee, William Grumble Jones, J. S. Mosby and often by his adversaries. Interestingly, vivid and humble accounts by Baylor are often collaborated in the Federal version from their official reports. Coming from an old prominent Virginia family Baylor’s personal accounts with the Baylor Light Horse describe daring, resourcefullness and pluck but not without sacrifice. Baylor was wounded three times, captured and sent to Ft. Delaware then exchanged. Baylor’s father was the first captain of this unit and himself severely wounded. Two brothers also in the unit were killed in action. Near the end of the war Baylor fought under J.S. Mosby becoming Captain of his company H.

Beale, George.W. A Lieutenant of Cavalry in Lee’s Army. 1918. Baltimore, MD: Butternut and Blue, 1994. Reprinted as the first volume of the Army of Northern Virginia Series. Well written and lengthy narrative of a member of Co. C, 9th Virginia Cavalry. A good history of the 9th Virginia and Stuart’s Cavalry. Not enough personal observations but entertaining and very well done.

Beale, R. L. T., Brig Gen., History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry. Beers, Fannie, A Record of Personal Experience and Adventure During Four Years of War. History of the Donaldsonville Louisiana Artillery.

Bevier, R.S. History of the 1st and 2nd Missouri Confederate Brigades, 1861-1865. Bryan, Brand & Co., St. Louis, 1879. A participant, Bevier tells his story with authority.

Black, John Logan. Crumbling Defenses or Memoirs and Reminiscences of Col. John Logan Black. Macon Ga: J.W. Burke, 1960. Commander of the 1st South Carolina Cavalry. Saw action at Gettysburg, Brandy Station and the Carolinas.

Bigger, J.A. Co. C, 2nd Mississippi Cavalry, Armstrong’s Brigade, Army of Tennessee. Diary, April 30 1862- may 12, 1865. Short but also often great detailed entries of Bigger’s day to day life in the cavalry service. Some very good information here regarding life in the western Confederate cavalry. University of Mississippi Library Special Collections.

Blackburn, James K.P., Terry Rangers, Reminiscences of J.K.P Blacburn, Ranger Press, 1979. Reprint of “Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers”, Also, The Southwest Historical Quarterly, Vol. 22, 1918-, 1919. pgs. 38-77, 143-179. Very entertaining narrative of a famous unit.

Blackford, Charles M. and Susan L Blackford. Letters from Lee’s Army or Memoirs of Life in and out of Army in Virginia During the War Between the States. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1947. Capt. Charles M. Blackford, Co. B, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Staff Officer and Judge Advocate. Excellent and engaging read of wartime letters turned into a narrative. One of the best.

Blackford, William W. War Years with JEB Stuart. New York: Scribner & Sons, 1945; Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1993. Memoir by an important staff officer serving JEB Stuart. A classic. No doubt, one of the finest ever written of the Confederate mounted arm and Stuart’s cavalry in particular.

Boteler, Alexander Robinson, Alexander Robinson Boteler Diary., William Elizabeth Brooks Collection, Library of Congress. Boteler served on the staff of JEB Stuart during the war.

Bowman, T.H. Reminiscences of an ex-Confederate Soldier or, Forty Years on Crutches. 1st Mississippi Cavalry. Enlisting in Co. A, 1st Mississippi under Wirt Adams, Bowman fought with Forrest at Shiloh. In the battle of Britton’s Lane Tennessee he was captured, exchanged but returned to fight with McNiel’s Cavalry. Completely disabled from service in a horse fall, Bowman left the army in 1864. Interesting but disjointed and a bit short.

Boykin, Edward M. Falling Flag., E.J. Hale & Sons, 1874. 67 pages. Story of the last campaign. Boykin commanded the 7th S.C. Cavalry, Gary’s Brigade as the rear guard from Richmond and was on the last line of battle at Appomattox.

Bryarly, Robert P. Notes of My Twenty-First year, Diary of Robert P Bryarly, Valley of the Shadow, http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vshadow2/ University of Virginia, Charlottsville, Va. Bryarly kept a diary from November 1863 to November 1864. Bryarly very briefly chronicles troop movements, skirmishes with the enemy, visits to relatives while on furlough, and the deaths of comrades in Co. B of the 1st Va. Cavalry. The diary ends with an injury in late 1864. however, Bryarly returned to duty on April 7, 1865.

Cadwallander, James M., Diary of James Cadwallander, Valley of the Shadow, http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vshadow2/ University of Virginia, Charlottsville, Va.University of Virginia, Charlottsville, Va. Diary briefly documents the movement of the 1st Va. Cavalry including the regiment’s movement through Virginia and includes discussion of engagements at Chancellorsville, Petersburg, and Winchester. It also details the ways in which the regiment’s soldiers passed their leisure time in camp. Excellent.

Cannon, Newton. The Reminiscences of Newton Cannon, First Sergeant, 11th Tennessee Cavalry, C.S.A. Jackson, Tn: McCowat-Mercer Press, Inc. 1963. Brief but thrilling account by a Williamson County Tennessee native who rode under Wheeler and Forrest with the 11th Tennessee Cavalry. A simple, exciting read leaving one longing for more.

Carter, William R., Sabres, Saddles and Spurs. Edited by Walbrook D Swank, Shippensburg, Pa: Burd Street Press, White Mane Publishing, 1998. Diary with excellent notations of day to day life of an ANV cavalry regiment including battles and interesting tidbits of cavalry life in camp. Carter enlisted as a private in Co. “E”, Nottoway Troop of the 3rd Va. Cavalry. He rose to the rank of Lt Colonel. Diary begins in July of 1862 and ends May 1st 1864. On June 11th Carter was mortally wounded at the Battle of Trevilian Station and died at the Gordonsville Hospital on July 8, 1864.

Carter, Howell, A Cavalryman’s Reminiscences of the Civil War. New Orleans, La: The American Printing Co., 1979. First Louisiana “Scott’s” Cavalry. Well written account of a largely obscure unit fighting in many of the west’s forgotten small unit actions and skirmishes. A bit verbose but readable.

Carroll, John W., Autobiography and Reminiscences by John Carroll, Capt., Co. I 27th Tennessee Infantry and apt, 2nd Co. H, 21st Tennessee Cavalry, Forrest’s Cavalry Corp’s. Harrah, Oka., Brandy Station Bookshelf, 2003 reprint. Carroll’s memoirs include his life before the war as a poor farmer in Tennessee and his service in the Confederate Army. Carroll began service in the infantry fighting at Shiloh. After being wounded at Perryville, on convalescent leave, he recruited a company of cavalry and attached it to the 21st Tenn Cavalry of Forrest’s Cavalry Corps. With Forrest, he fought Memphis, Fort Pillow, Brice’s Cross Roads and Franklin. Wounded again at Murfreesboro in December 1864 he did not recover sufficiently to return to his command before war’s end. Very good.

Castleman, Jno. B. Active Service. 3rd Kentucky Cavalry.

Cater, Douglas, John. As it Was: Reminiscences of a Solider of the Third Texas Cavalry and the Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry. Cater enlisted in Co. B of the 3rd Texas fighting in the battles of Wilson’s Creek and Elkhorn Tavern, He transferred out in June 1862 to the 19th Louisiana Infantry to be with his brother Rufus remaining with them to the end of the war. State House Press., 1990, Austin, Texas, 1990, 241 pgs.

Collins, Lt. R.M. Chapters From the Unwritten History of the War Between the States. 15th Texas Cavalry.

Claiborne, J. F. H. , A Sketch of Harvey’s Scouts. 1st Mississippi Cavalry. The largely obscure but remarkable true story of a group of detached men from two Mississippi Regiment’s under the command of Capt. Addison Harvey. Harvey’s Scouts were renown for their undaunted courage, behind the lines scouting, raids and bold stands against Sherman in the Meridian (Miss.) Campaign, around Atlanta and with Hood in Tennessee. Even after suffering stinging defeat with Forrest at Selma, Harvey’s men harassed Wilson’s Raiders all the way to Columbus Georgia. Harvey was repeatedly recognized by his superiors and foes for his daring, coolness and judgement in command. He was crudely assassinated in April 1865 in broad daylight on a street in Columbus Ga. which probably accounts for much of the obscurity of his exploits.

Clark, Reuben G. Valley of the Shadow, The memoir of Confederate Captain Reuben G Clark., University of Tennessee, 1994, 163 pages. An account of Capt Clark’s experiences as a Officer and prisoner of war. Clark enlisted as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Tenn. Infantry but spent most of the war as part of the 59th Tennessee Mounted Infantry.

Cook, John Esten, Wearing of the Gray. ed. by Phillip Van Doren Stern, Bloomington Indiana, 1959. One of the best narratives of JEB Stuart’s Cavalry written by one of Stuart’s confidants.

Cook, John Esten., John Esten Cook Diaries, 1862-1864, John Esten Cook Papers, Special Collections Library, Duke University, Durham North Carolina. Cooke served as Ordnance Officer then as Asst. Adjutant General on the staff of JEB Stuart. Intelligent and a gifted writer both before and after the war Cook was a relative of JEB Stuart’s wife and served Stuart longer than anyone else on his staff.

Cotton, John W. Yours Till Death, Civil War Letters of John W. Cotton. Lucille Griffith, ed. Tusacloosa: University Of Alabama Press, 1951. 10th Regiment Confederate Cavalry (Wheeler’s Cavalry). Cotton’s letters detail the daily life, travels, drudgery, deprivations, loneliness and the sadness of war by a rank and file cavalryman in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. An excellent account of the day to day reality of life as a Confederate cavalryman.

Dacus, Robert H. Reminiscences of Co. H, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Post Dispatch Press, Dardanelle, Arkansas, 1897.

Dame, D.D. Williams Meade, From the Rapidan to Richmond and the Spottsylvania Campaign. The Richmond Howitzers

Daniel, Frederich S., Richmond Howitzers in the War,

Dawson, Capt. Francis W. Reminiscences of Confederate Service. History of Purcell’s Battery.

Deupree, J. S. “The Noxubee Squadron of the First Mississippi Cavalry, C.S.A., 1861-1865.” Mississippi Historical Society Publications, 2 (1899),

Dickison, Mary Elizabeth, Dickison & His Men, Rare account of the war in Florida under Major Dickison and his 2nd Florida Cavalry. Dickison led him men throughout the war largely in action around Jacksonville.

Dinkins, James. By an Old Johnnie, Personal Recollections and Experiences in the Confederate Army. Dayton, Oh: Morningside Bookshop, 1975. Well written, interesting and fun narrative by an infantryman turned cavalryman. Barksdale’s Mississippi Infantry Brigade, A.N.V. then Captain and Aide-de-camp to Gen. James R. Chalmers, Forrest’s Cavalry.

Dodd, Ephraim Shelby, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Member of Company D, Terry’s Texas Rangers, Dec 4, 1862-Jan 1, 1864. Steck Co., Austin, 1914 reprinted Ranger Press, 1979. Dodd served with the infamous 8th Texas, a.k.a. Terry’s Texas Rangers.

Douglas, David G., Boot Full of Memories: Captain Leonard Williams, 2nd SC Cavalry. Gray Fox, Camden NJ., 2003, 500pgs. As a rule these book reviews do not include historical interpretations (or historical novels) but this book by David G Douglas, “”A BOOT FULL OF MEMORIES had a bit of a different take. Fortunately, it includes a well written grouping of about 135 wartime letters from Capt Leonard Williams, 2nd S.C. Cavalry, Brooks Troop, Hampton’’s Legion to his wife at home in S.C.. The letters were thankfully offered with little editing however, interspersed in between were modern interpretations or views (usually revisionist, often reenactorisms) on other war time activities, places, events and what the editor (Mr. Douglas) thought the author (Capt Williams) might have been thinking, saying, etc. about them. Unfortunate clutter. However, the letters while largely about the mundane aspects of struggling to live int eh shortage driven wartime South also reveal interesting details about master/slave relationships, military duty, camp life, travel, coping with change of all kinds and all the while adhering to a strong sense of duty and patriotism. Worth the read if you completely skip the editors remarks which unfortunately, make up about 75% of the book.

Duke, Basil W., Reminiscences of General Basil W. Duke, C.S.A. Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, Page & Co., 1911. Duke’s wonderful story of his service in Confederate service much of it with and a major part of John H. Morgan’s famous cavalry exploits.

Duncan, Thomas D. Recollections of Thomas D. Duncan, A Confederate Soldier. Nashville, Tn: McQuiddy Printing Co., 1922. Wonderful and rare account written by one of Forrest’s infamous Escort Company. Likely few troopers rode under the infamous cavalryman leader for so long as did Duncan. Enlisting in the “Corinth Rifles” in 1861, Duncan transferred to the cavalry where he first rode under Forrest in the escape from Ft Donelson. From then until their surrender at Gainsville Alabama in 1865 Duncan rode with Forrest through all of his famous battles including Fallen Timbers, Murfreesboro, in Kentucky, through both of Forrest’s West Tennessee Campaigns, Streight’s Alabama raid, Chickamauga, Okolona, Brices Crossroads, Harrisonburg, Memphis, Johnsonville, Nashville and Selma. Duncan was the ideal of Forrest’s Escort, young, healthy, loyal and fearless. Unpretentious but sensitive, Duncan’s narrative is an account of Forrest’s career but is sadly short in his own personal descriptions and in detail.

Dupre’, Louis J. Fagots From the Campfire. 7th Texas Cavalry. Little detail of the actions of the regiment but writes of “adventures, hideous deaths, and marvelous escapes. …”and if narrative be rude in expression, significance, or morals, it is because, if more tasteful, it would not be truthful.”

Edwards, John N. Shelby and His Men. Cincinnati, Oh: Miami Printing Co., 1867. Jo Shelby’s exploits with his Trans-Mississippi Cavalry. Edwards was adjutant of the 5th Missouri Cavalry and wrote many of Shelby’s battle reports. Somewhat exaggerated and contains errors but interesting.

Fay, Edwin., This Infernal War., Edited by Bell I Wiley and Lucy E. Fay, Austin Tx, University of Texas Press, 1958. Using his letters home the editors have put together a superb and rare account of an Alabama born cavalryman in a Louisiana regiment serving in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana.

Fletcher, William Andrew. Rebel Private Front and Rear. Austin: University Of Texas Press, 1954; Dutton, 1995. Fifth Texas Infantry and Co. E, 8th Texas Cavalry.

Forbes, William, II., Capt. Croft’s Flying Artillery Battery, Columbus Georgia. Dayton, Oh., Morningside House, 1993. Although not written by a contemporary solder, this exhaustively researched history of the Columbus Georgia artillery battery nevertheless reads like a diary. With information gathered from contemporary records, letters, newspapers etc. the author has skillfully pulled together the “life”, battle history, leaders and private soldiers of a mounted artillery battery that saw action on the Atlantic coast, the Big Black River and Jackson Mississippi, Atlanta and with Ross’ Texas Cavalry under Forrest in the Nashville campaign. Dismounted in early 1865, this hard fought unit ended the war in Mobile manning siege guns and serving as infantry.

Ford, John S. John S. Ford Memoirs Archives Collection, Library of the University of Texas. Seven typeset volumes, the last three concern Ford’s activities as a Confederate cavalry Colonel in Texas.

Fort, Clinton Dewitt, The Wartime Ordeal of Captain Dewitt Clinton “Clubfoot” Fort of Fort’s Scouts Company, CSA, 1861-1865. A 195 page manuscript written by Fort while imprisoned during 1866 awaiting his trial for conspiracy to assassinate Tennessee Gov. Brownlow and for the murder of Thomas Koen of Mississippi. A brave man of considerable ability and determination Fort was once a member of Co. G, 2nd Missouri Cavalry but by the end of the war had served in several states and with Confederate units in Texas, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri. Early in the war he was recognized for his daring and asked to form his own company of scouts from which his reputation was derived. Fort received his A.B. degree from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky in 1850 and practiced law in Mississippi and in Texas. He was elected to serve in the Eighth Texas Legislature (1859-1861) and the special “Adjourned Session” of March and April 1861. Fort was “clubfooted” and badly crippled from birth and unsuitable for military service yet he closed his Austin County, Texas law office for the duration of the war in June 1861 and paid his own travel expenses to join J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry in Virginia for the First Battle of Manassas. He was captured in Tennessee following the Battle of Farmington MS. in May 1862, but escaped by leaping from a Union prison steamboat into the Mississippi River. Later, he created “Fort’s Scouts,” a small unit of Confederate Cavalry, acting in concert with General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Operating largely in north Mississippi and west Tennessee he became invaluable to Confederate operations there including routinely providing considerable military information to N.B Forrest. Fort was widely respected and admired where he operated and was known to carry a huge double barrel shotgun that he often used with effect in his close encounters with Federal troops who at times had a price on his head. By the time he surrendered, his small band had closed down the Memphis & Charleston Railroad to Union military travel and only large Union cavalry patrols would venture outside the Union military headquarters at Memphis, TN. He was wounded during the closing weeks of the war and surrendered about one month after General Lee’s surrender.
By the end of the war Fort was a man of legendary proportions but now sadly, largely forgotten. His apparently true exploits, raids, skirmishes and escapes are the stuff of dime novels and were written in a series of letters immediately following the war while in prison waiting to be hanged. A wonderful and entertaining read it also provides a glimpse of the guerilla warfare, depravations upon civilians and scouting operations that made up life in the no-mans land between Federal occupation headquarters in Memphis and Forrest’s cavalry operations of north Mississippi. One of the best “reads” I can recommend, his autobiography, courtesy of Laurier B McDonald is available online at http://books.google.com/books?id=ReJ6wx_QTAIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9781605309798&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

Gallaher, Dewitt Clinton, Diary of Dewitt Clinton Gallaher, Manuscript Collection, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. Gallaher served as a Captain and Aide de Camp on the staff of Gen. Imboden until he desired more active service and resigned joining the 1st Virginia Cavalry in October of 1863 as a private. Gallaher’s diary begins with the 1st Virginia in June 1864 through the end of the war. He includes post war notes on various battles and leaders including Rosser and Custer.  

Garnett, Theodore Standford, Robert Trout (ed.), “Riding With Stuart, Reminiscences of an Aide-de-Camp.” Shippensburg, Pa., White Mane Publishing Co., 1994. Technically enlisted in Co. F, 9th Virginia Cavalry, Garnett served as an aide-de-camp to both JEB Stuart and later, to Maj. Gen. “Fitzhugh” Lee and Brigadier General W.P. Rhodes. One of many excellent narratives penned from one of Stuart’s staff and courtesy of the fine efforts by Robert Trout.

Geerant, Edward O., Bluegrass Confederate, The Headquarters Diary of Edward O. Geerant., Baton Rouge, LSU Press, 1999 716 pages. Exceptionally intelligent and educated, Guerrant spent most of the war attached to the headquarters of Confederate Generals, Marshall, Preston, Cosby and John Hunt Morgan. He wrote extensively even tediously about his life in the little known war being conducted in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky, S.W. Virginia and East Tennessee including the battle of Saltville and Morgan’s raids. An exhausting read but informative.

Gibbons, A.R. Recollections of an Old Confederate Soldier: A.R. Gibbons, Shelbina, MO. Gibbons was a V.M.I. Cadet until December of 1863 when he resigned and went home to Georgia to join Co. G, 1st Georgia Cavalry. He was captured during the Atlanta Campaign and was imprisoned at Camp Chase until the end of the war. Herald Print, Shelbyville, 1913, 31pgs.

Giles, Leonidas B., Terry’s Texas Rangers, Von Boeckman – Jones Co., Austin, 1911.The Terry’s Texas Rangers Online Archive, 2001, www.terrystexasrangers.org . Reminiscence of L.B. Giles and his war experiences tell one of the best histories of the famous Rangers.

Gill, John., Courier For Lee and Jackson, Memoirs, 1861-1865. Edited by Walbrook D. Swank, Shippensburg, Pa: Burd Street Press, 1993. Gill served first as a trusted courier to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee through most of the war. Later Lee had him promoted and assigned as Sergeant in the Division’s Signal Corps. Very readable.

Gill, John, Reminiscences of Four Years as a Private Soldier in the Confederate Army. 1st Maryland Cavalry.

Gilmore, Harry,, Four Years in the Saddle, Harper & Bros. New York & London, 1866

Gorgas, Josiah, Civil War Diary of Gen. Josiah Gorgas, Edited by Frank E Vandiver, Univ. of Alabama, Univ. of Alabama Press, 1947. A superb insight into the war, the Ordnance Department, it’s successes and failures by the Confederacy’s and, arguable one of America’s greatest administrators.  

Graber, H. W., The Life Record of H. W. Graber, A Terry Texas Ranger, 1861-1865, Privately Published, Dallas, 1916. Reprinted as “A Terry Texas Ranger”, State House Press, Austin, 1987

Griscom, George L., Fighting with Ross’ Texas Cavalry Brigade, C.S.A.: The diary of Adjutant, 9th Texas Cavalry Regiment. (Ed. by Homer L Kerr) Hillsboro, Tex: Hill Jr. College, 1976, 255 pgs., E580.4R6G75

Halliburton, Lloyd. Saddle Soldiers: The Civil War Correspondence of General William Stokes of the 4th South Carolina Cavalry. Sandlapper Publishing Co., 1993. The story of this Confederate unit reconstructed from the correspondence and memorabilia from Stokes.

Hancock, R.R., Hancock’s Diary, or, The History of the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry with Sketches of the 1st and 7th Battalions., 1887, Reprinted by Morningside Press 1999. Wonderful account of the hard fighting with Barteau’s battle scarred regiment under N.B. Forrest including Shiloh, Britton’s Lane, Okolona, Harrisburg (Tupelo), Memphis, Brice’s Cross Roads, Franklin, Nashville and Selma. One of the west’s best cavalry narratives.

Harding, French., Capt. C.S.A. Virginia’s 31st Infantry and 20th Cavalry., Edited by Victor L Thacker, Parsons, W.Va., McClain Printing Company, Inc., 2000. Harding fought as an infantry officer with the 31st Va. Infantry until early 1864 when he jointed the 20th Va. Cavalry. Rising to the rank of Captain, Harding is reminiscent of N.B. Forrest as a fighter. Fearless, often reckless, tough, rough hewn but intelligent and always a leader. His memoirs are interwoven with stories of feuds with Virginia’s mountain Tories and personal vendettas.

Hauge, Parthenia Antoninette., A Blockaded Family, Life in Southern Alabama During the Civil War, Originally published by Houghton, Miffin in 1888, re printed by Applewood Books, Bedford, Mass. 1995. Great book about the expediencies utilized and hardships experienced by Confederate women on the homefront. Not exactly cavalry but very informative and worth the read.

Heartsill, William W. Fourteen Hundred and Ninety One Days in the Confederate Army: or, Camp Life, Day by Day, of the W.P. Lane Rangers from April 19, 1861 to May 20, 1865. First published in 1876 the reprint was edited by Bell I. Wiley. Jackson Tennessee, McCowat- Mercer Press, 1954. Considered by many as the best source of information available on the daily life of a cavalryman in the Trans-Mississippi.

Henderson, Prioleau E., Autobiography of Arab., Camden SC, J.J. Fox Publishers, 1991. Henderson was a member of the pre-war Beaufort District Troop and entered service with the Hampton Legion. Later it was attached to the 2nd SC. Henderson was one of the “iron Scouts” for Stuart and Hampton passing through many narrow and daring escapes in Virginia and later the Carolinas. Interestingly, Henderson uses his horse “Arab” as the narrator of his service which allowed him to be more candid than perhaps otherwise. The fact that both Arab and his master served throughout and survived the war is remarkable. Well written, humorous, thrilling reading. One of the best reminiscences ever written about Confederate cavalry.

Hopkins, Luther W. From Bull Run to Appomattox. 6th Virginia Cavalry. Very pleasant, candid reminiscence of the author’s experiences as cavalryman with the 6th Virginia, Fitz Lee’s Division, ANV. Hailing from around Middleburg Hopkins joined the army at a young age. An apparent carefree soldier, Hopkins participated in various battle’s including Bull Run, Seven days, Brandy Station, Chancellorsville before being captured at Yellow Tavern. He also did time in Prison at Point Lookout, in Company “Q” guarding R.E. Lee’s Headquarters and on a raid with Mosby. Exchanged in late 1864 he convalesced until the spring of 1865 when he made his way back to the army just as it surrendered.

Howard, Wiley., Sketch of Cobb’s Legion Cavalry and Some Incidents and Scenes Remembered., Prepared and read under appointment of Atlanta Camp 159, U.C.V. August 19, 1901. Electronic Edition, Documenting the American South, or, The Southern Experience in 19th Century America. Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/howard/howard.html Short but flavorful story of Howard’s service with Co. C Cobb’s Legion beginning in the summer of 1861 and through the war with the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Hubbard, John Milton. Notes of a Private. St. Louis, Mo: Nixon Jones Printing Co., 1913. Hubbard served in Co. E, 7th Tenn., Forrest’s Cavalry. An excellent account of Forrest’s original regiment.

Hubard, Lt. Robert T., Jr. The Civil War Memoirs of a Virginia Cavalryman. Edited by Thomas P. Nanzig. University of Alabama Press, 2007. The recollections of an enlisted man and officer of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia from 1861 through 1865. Hubard served under such officers as Jeb Stuart, Fitz Lee, Wade Hampton, and Thomas L. Rosser.

Hudgins, Robert S. II. Recollections of an Old Dominion Dragoon: The Civil War Experiences of Sgt. Robert S. Hudgins II, Co. B, 3rd Virginia Cavalry. Orange, Va: Publisher’s Press, 1993. Colorful and engaging,

Huse, Caleb. Supplies for the Confederate Army, How They Were Obtained in Europe and How Paid For., T.R. Marvin & Son Press, Boston, 1904. Reprint by Deep River Armory, Inc. Houston, Tex. 1970. Excellent but brief account of Huse’s indispensable work procuring arms, equipment, supplies, gun powder, food, etc. for the South. Not exactly cavalry but very informative and a short read.

Johnson, Gen. Adam R., The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army; The Memoirs of General Adam R Johnson. Reprint of rare original. Gen, Adam “Stovepipe” Johnson was a “man’s-man” on the order of N.B. Forrest. His life before the war and after in Texas homesteading and fighting Indians is very revealing. During the war Johnson served as an intrepid scout for Genl’s Forrest and Breckenridge working behind the lines particularly in Kentucky where he raised his Partison Rangers. In time, he became colonel then under Morgan participating then escaping the Ohio Raid by swimming the Ohio River at Buffington Island. Johnson later reorganized Morgan’s men until that officer resumed command after his own escape. In early 1864 Johnson enlisted the help of Josiah Gathwright to outfit his men with saddles. Gathwright subsequently originated a saddle that later became known as the “Morgan Saddle”. Returning behind the lines in Kentucky Johnson was accidently shot in the eyes by one of his own men leaving him completely blind for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he resolutely remained in Confederate service until the end returning to the Texas frontier to help settle that area and founding the city of Marble Falls where he lived prominently until his death in 1922 at age 85. Johnson’s first hand experiences with Forrest, Morgan, Breckinridge, President Davis and others is revealing. Brave, ambitious and owning a strict code of justice, General Adam R Johnson in short, embodied the American frontier spirt of the 19th century. A splendid book! Well written, engaging, adventurous reading.

Jones, B.W. Under the Stars and Bars, A History of the Surry Light Artillery.

Jones, John B. A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary., Condensed and edited by Earl Schenck Miers. Baton Rouge, LSU Press 1958. Well known but still excellent diary of the war from the Southern capital as meticulously recorded by one who was in the know at the War Department. Includes opinionated commentary on the true state of affairs at the front while giving detail of the Confederacy’s great leaders, Richmond’s society and homefront trials. Excellent and a classic!

Jordan, Thomas and J.P. Pryor. Campaigns of Lieut.- Gen. N.B. Forrest and of Forrest’s Cavalry. 1868; Dayton, Oh: Morningside Books, 1995. Written during Forrest’s lifetime and apparently with his personal assistance and papers, this is as close to an autobiography of Forrest as one can have.

Kean, Garlick Hill., Inside the Confederate Government, The Diary of Robert Garlick Hill Kean, Edited by Edward Younger. LSU Press, Baton Rouge, 1957. Insightful and interesting account of the inner workings of the Confederate War Department Kean was opinionated but astute and truthful. Excellent!

King, John H., Three Hundred Days in a Yankee Prison., King served in the 6th Georgia Cavalry but most of this narrative deals primarily with his capture at Vicksburg and his life in Camp Chase prison. Includes roster of 6th cavalry. Not much on cavalry but good.

Lane, Walter P., The Adventures and Recollections of General Walter P. Lane. First published in 1887, second publication , Marshall Texas, News Messenger Publishing Company, 1928.

Little, Dr. George and James R. Maxwell, History of Lumsden’s Battery., First hand account of the exploits of Little and Maxwell in Co. F., 2nd Alabama Artillery Battalion.

MacMurphy, G.L., The Diary of G. L. Macmurphy, Terry’s Texas Ranger. Getzen, Rufus & Troy Groves, eds. The Terry’s Texas Rangers Online Archive, 2001, www.terrystexasrangers.org .

Macon, T.J. Reminiscences of the First Company of Richmond Howitzers.

McCarthy, Carlton, Detailed Minutia of Soldiers Life in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865.

McCleary, A.C. Humorous Incidents of the Civil War. 12th Tennessee Cavalry. Served under N.B. Forrest. Short but interesting. Not as good as the title suggests.

McClellan, H.B. I Rode with J.E.B. Stuart: The Life and Campaigns of Major-General J.,E.B. Stuart. Bloomington, IN: University of Indiana, 1958. McClellan’s memoirs are the most reliable source of intimate information on the famed Cavalier, his exploits and those of his devoted staff.

McCollum, Duncan, The Diary of Captain Duncan McCollum, Co. A 4th Mississippi Cavalry 1865, Edited by J.K. McCollum and J. K. McCollum, San Bernardino Calif, 1964. Call # E568.6 4th.M3 1964x., McCain Library, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. Capt McCollum’s diary begins in December 1864 through May 17, 1865 and consists of his services in the 4th Mississippi Cavalry. Though the 4th fought in the Vicksburg Campaign, Sherman’s Meridian Campaign, the Battle of Tupelo and with Forrest at Johnsonville, Tennessee this diary begins after those engagements. During the period of his diary McCollum’s unit traveled in Mississippi and Alabama participating in the fighting under N.B. Forrest at Selma before being surrendered at Gainsville Alabama.

Merrick, Morgan Wolfe. From Desert to Bayou, The Civil War Journal and Sketches of Morgan Wolfe Merrick. San Antonio, Texas: Texas Western Press, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, The University of Texas at El Paso, 1991. Brief narrative includes rare and wonderfully detailed drawings and sketches of war time service in the Trans-Mississippi.

Miller, George Knox., An Uncompromising Secessionist, The Civil War of George Knox Miller, Eighth (Wade’s) Confederate Cavalry. Edited by Richard M. McMurry. Eloquent letters by a highly intelligent, well educated man chronicling the cavalry duties, hardships, monotony, suffering and horror of this well traveled and hard fighting unit. Captain Miller commanded a company and sometimes the regiment under Wheeler spending nearly the whole war in the field. Excellent, well edited narrative providing unique insight into the cavalryman’s day to day life.

Mims, Capt Wilbur F., War History of the Prattville Dragoons., 3rd Alabama Cavalry.

Montague, Adolphus Wiley, Reminiscences of Montague’s experiences during the war including his occaisional service as a private in Co. B, 7th Tennessee Cavalry. As told to his daughter Lizzie in 1912. The stories are interesting if not notable for the fact that Montague appears to have spent as much time out of the army as he did in it. Although enlisting in Oct 1861 and participating as an observer in the battle of Belmont Mo. Montague took sick and spent the next couple of years in and around home in Mason Tenn. with most of this time dodging Yankee patrols. Interestingly, while escaping one of these forays a sudden jolt to his spleen apparently cured whatever aliment he had which allowed him to soon thereafter re-join his regiment (about early 1864). From there he participated in the battle of Brice’s Crossroads, Athens Ala., Sulpher Creek Trestle, and Johnsonville before one again heading home. Having missed the Nashville campaign he re-joined his regiment in time for the Battle of Selma before being paroled at Gainsville Ala. and turning home again. Montague was young during his service and while brave and obviously not reluctant to kill he was also apparently not very dedicated to the cause as he whimsically seemed to straggle in and out of the army at leisure. Montague’s story seems to lack alot of detail and emotion leaving one to ponder his actual role or perhaps, an avoidance of its more brutal aspects. While interesting, his reminiscence is more adept for family consumption than military usefulness as it lacks a lot of detail. Published on line by the family at www.montaguemillenium.com/interesting_people/montague_adolphus/confederate

Monteiro, Aristides, War Reminiscences by the Surgeon of Mosby’s Command. Excellent narrative of lie with the Confederacy’s foremost partisan ranger. Dr. Monteiro penned his recollections in the decade following the war. Reprint by Butternut, Gaithersburg, 208 pgs.

Montgomery, Frank A., Reminiscences of a Mississippian in Peace and War., Lieutenant-Colonel, First Mississippi Cavalry, Armstrong’s Miss. Brigade; Member of Legislature, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1896 and one term Judge of Fourth Circuit Court District of Mississippi. Cincinnati, The Robert Clarke Company Press, 1901. Electronic Edition, Documenting the American South, or, The Southern Experience in 19th Century America. Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/montgomery/montgom.html. Excellent narrative of Montgomery’s exploits with the 1st Mississippi Cavalry. Serving under Gen’ls Jackson, Armstrong, Wirt Adams, Chalmers and Forrest the First Mississippi fought through many of the west’s campaigns in Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia. Montgomery details much of his unit’s hard service with fairness, intelligence, compassion and detail. His war time exploits take up most of the book but his post war experiences detailing politics and race relations during Reconstruction in Mississippi is particularly interesting.

Moore, Edward A., Story of a Cannoneer under Stonewall Jackson, Richmond Howitzers.

Morton, John Watson. Artillery of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Cavalry. Nashville: Publishing House of M.E. Church South, 1909; Paris TN: The Guild Bindery Press, 1988. Excellent account and a must-read classic for Forrest buffs.

Mosby, John S., Mosby’s War Reminiscences and Stuart’s Cavalry Campaigns. Mosby’s 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry. Mosby’s war in Mosby’s Confederacy written by the man himself. Absolutely required reading for Mosby’s exploits and ANV cavalry.

Mosby, John S., Stuart’s Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign, New York, 1908

Mosgrove, George Dallas, Kentucky Cavaliers in Dixie or Reminiscences of a Confederate Cavalryman. Louisville, Ky: Courier-Journal Job Printing Co. 1895; Jackson, Tn: McCowat-Mercer Press, 1957. 4th Kentucky, Morgan’s Cavalry. Well written, very interesting even exciting.

Mulligan., A.B., My Dear Mother & Sister, Civil War Letters of Capt. A.B. Mulligan, Co. B, 5TH South Carolina Cavalry, Butler’s Division, Hampton’s Corp’s, 1861-1865. By A.B. Mulligan. Edited by Olin F Hutchinson, Jr., 1991, reprinted by Reprint Co., Spartanburg, SC, 1992. The title describes it admirably. Mulligan formed and equipped this company in 1861 serving in South Carolina and the coast of North Carolina until May 1864 when they were sent to Virginia. Most of the letters are about the mundane of camp life, food and family associations on the home front but provide great insight to these aspects. Although often in engagements the heavy, non-stop fighting began for Mulligan in Virginia. His letters speak in detail of this with additional insight into horse procurement and food issues there. The Captain served faithfully and with distinction often commanding his regiment and at times the entire brigade until wounded in the hand at Burgess Mill, October 1864.

Munson, John W., Reminiscences of a Mosby Guerrilla. 43rd Virginia Battalion Cavalry (Mosby’s). Repint by Zenger, Washington, 1983, 284 pgs. Munson was a trusted and loyal member of Mosby’s infamous command.

Myers, Frank M., The Comanches. A History of Whites Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, 35th Virginia Cavalry

Neese, George M., Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery. New York & Washington DC, 1911, Preprinted by Morningside, Dayton Oh. 1988. Chew’s Virginia Artillery Battery. Faithful diary of Neece’s experiences fighting the war in the Shennendoah Valley and the Army of N. Virginia from 1862 until Neece was captured in the fall of 1864 and sent to Point Lookout MD. until the summer of 1865. Almost poetic, well written classic for ANV horse artillery and cavalry purists.

Noel, Theophilus, Autobiography and Reminiscences of Theophilus Noel. 4th Texas Cavalry. A large, wasteful volume of worthless, self aggrandizing, entirely exhausting gibberish. A reading of this lengthy, laborious volume leads one to suspect the mental stability of its writer.

O’Ferral, Charles T.O. , Forty Years of Active Service., New York & Washington, Neale Publishing, 1904. Personal narrative of author’s service in the 12th Virginia Cavalry and as a congressman and governor of Va.

Opie, John N. A Rebel Cavalryman with Lee, Stuart and Jackson. Chicago, Il: W. B Conkey Co., Chicago, 1899; Dayton Oh: Morningside Press, 1972. Colorful and lively account of one of “Stonewall” Jackson’s Infantry and later the 6th Virginia Cavalry from Clarke County, Va.

Owen, William Miller, In Camp and Battle With The Washington Artillery of New Orleans.

Perry & Perry, Theophilus & Harriet., Widows by the Thousands: The Civil War Letters of Theophilus and Harriet Perry, 1862-1864. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville., 2000. 333 pgs. Theophilus was a Captain with the 28th Texas Cavalry that campaigned as “Walker’s Greyhounds” in Arkansas and Louisiana. Very literate collection of letters between husband and wife during the war.

Pitts, Jack E., Memoir of Jack E. Pitts, Co. K, 1st Virginia Cavalry. Cal # M279, McCain Library, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. Collection consists of one fourteen page memoir by Pitts relating exclusively to his experiences in JEB Stuart’s encircling raid, also known as the Chickahominy Raid, around the Army of the Potomac outside of Richmond from June 12 – 15, 1862.

Poe, David, Capt., Personal Reminiscences of the Civil War. 20th Virginia Cavalry. Poe was elected lieutenant later captain of the 20th Virginian Cavalry from the mountains of West Virginia. Most of his first three years were spent fighting small unit skirmishes in the mountains of western Virginia and in the Valley. In 1864 the 20th was attached to Early’s army for the march on Washington. The text contains lots of interesting stories of small unit actions during the war. Poe was not highly educated and thus his reminiscence is a bit disjointed and difficult to read. He was however, highly intelligent, a canny and fearless leader and, very cool under fire. The kind of man you would want to follow rather than face in a fight. Poe’s work includes a detailed appendix of the men that served with him.

Robertson, Frank Smith., In the Saddle With Stuart., Edited by Robert J Trout., Gettysburg, Pa., Thomas Publications, 1998. A student before the war, Robertson enlisted in the infantry but illness laid him up for almost two years. At the request of JEB Stuart and through family connections he was assigned to Stuart’s staff as Assistant Engineer in January 1863. Robertson became a trusted aide for Stuart serving through many campaigns until Stuart’s death at Yellow Tavern in May 1864 then on the staff of Gen. Fitzugh Lee. This is Robertson’s personal memoir and letters edited admirably by renown JEB Stuart historian Robert Trout.

Rose, Victor M., Ross’s Texas Brigade. Being a Narrative of Events Connected With Its Service in the Late War Between the States. Louisville, KY: Courier-Journal, 1881. 185 pgs., E580.4R6R68. 9th Texas Ross’ Cavalry Brigade serving largely east of the Mississippi River under Forrest, Van Dorn, etc.

Rosser, Thomas L., Riding With Rosser, Divisional Cavalry Commander, C.S.A.., Edited by S. Roger Keller., Shippensburg, Pa., Burd Street Press, White Mane Publishing, 1997. Rosser’s sometimes dry and methodical memoirs of his service to the Confederacy leaves one wanting more detail and personal flavor. Still an excellent book with extensive footnotes and rare photos. 

Rugley, Helen J. H., ed., Batchelor-Turner Letters, 1861-1864: Written by Two of Terry’s Texas Rangers, Steck Co., Austin, 1961. Correspondence of some of Terry;’s Texas cavalrymen. 

Scott, Joe M. Four Years Service in the Southern Army, Mulberry, Arkansas: Leader Office Print, 1897. His personal story, Scott served in three different cavalry units. First in Captain Ruff’s Company of Arkansas cavalry, then the 6th Texas Cavalry and finally Col. Brook’s Texas Cavalry.  

Scott, Paul R. ed., “Claiborne’s History of Terry’s Texas Rangers”, The Terry’s Texas Rangers Online Archive, 1996. History of Terry’s Texas Rangers by John M Claiborne as published in an 1891 issue of the New Birmingham Times newspaper. This work was laboriously edited and graciously provided by Paul R Scott and only available on Troy Grove’s web site The Terry’s Texas Rangers Online Archive, 2001, www.terrystexasrangers.org

Sharkey, H. Clay. Recollections of a Privates Homecoming. Vol. 1, History of Leake County Mississippi. Clay was a member of the 3rd. Miss. Inf. Co. C then the 5th Ala. Cav. Co. D. 

Smith, Robert D. Confederate Diary of Robert D. Smith. Columbia, Tenn: Capt. James Madison Sparkman Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, 1975. Excellent and rare diary of an Ordnance officer serving throughout the war in the Army of Tennessee. A must read for anyone interested in the details of front line ordnance operations and camp life including insight into some of the west’s famous leaders.  

Sparkman, Lt. Jesse R., Diary of, June 17, 1861 – May 31, 1865, Co. C, Southern Guards, 2nd Mississippi Battalion, Jeff Davis Legion (ANV) . Very good diary with nice detailed entries of wartime service in the Jeff Davis Legion of Stuart’s Cavalry. Sparkman’s service covers the entire war. He was only slightly wounded once but fought in all of the Legion’s fights under Stuart and later including service in the Carolina’s at the end of the war. Very good detail of the day to day life of an ANV cavalryman. University of Mississippi Library Special Collections.

Sparks, A.W. , Recollection of the Great War, The War Between The States, As I Saw It. Reminiscent Historical and Personal. Longview, Tex. D & D Publishing 1987. A most excellent history of the 9th Texas Cavalry and of Ross’ Texas Brigade which served most of the war east of the Mississippi River. While largely about the 9th Texas it also includes detailed descriptions of the 3rd and 6th Texas regiments and all of their engagements including fighting Indians in Oklahoma, the Battle of Corinth (fought dismounted), the great Holly Springs Raid (re-mounted); the fights around Vicksburg, Yazoo and under Van Dorn at Thompson Station, Tenn.; with Wheeler around Atlanta and under Forrest in the 1864 Tennessee Campaign. This widely traveled, hard fought and capably lead (by Ross) brigade of Texans endured some of the most arduous fighting on the war in the west (all without leave) which virtually decimated them to little more than several companies in strength by war’s end. The book colorfully chronicles their fighting and hardships with humorous anecdotes and heart wrenching stories. It also includes insightful personal biographies of many of its field officers. Few histories of western cavalry are better than this.  

Stiles, Major Robert, Four Years Under Marse Robert. Richmond Howitzers.  

Stokes, William. Saddle Soldiers, The Civil War Correspondence of Gen. William Stokes of the 4th S. C. Cavalry. Lloyd Halliburton ed. Orangeburg, SC: Sandlapper Publishing Co., 1993, Capt. then Col., of the 4th S.C., later with the 5th and 6th, S.C. Stokes became a General in Butler’s Brigade, Hampton’s Division, A.N.V.  

Stone, Henry Lane., Morgan’s Men, A Narrative of Personal Experiences., Address delivered before the George B Eastin Camp, No. 803 United Confederate Veterans at the Free Public Library, Louisville Ky., April 8, 1919. Louisville, Westerfield-Bonte Co., IN., 1919. Electronic Edition, Documenting the American South, or, The Southern Experience in 19th Century America. Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. http://docsouth.unc.edu/stone/stone.html A short but very interesting narrative detailing Stone’s Confederate service from September 1862 under Gen John H Morgan and Basil Duke. Stone went through several engagements before being captured during Morgan’s infamous Ohio raid. Escaping Camp Douglas he fled to Canada before making his way back to Kentucky fighting Sherman again in Georgia and North Carolina before finally surrendering May 1865.  

Stuart, James Hardeman, James Hardeman Stuart Diary & Papers, Manuscript Collection, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Mississippi. Stuart served as a Captain on the staff of JEB Stuart.  

Terrell, Alexander Watkins, From Texas to Mexico and the Court of Maximilian in 1865. Dallas, The Book Club of Texas,1933. Terrell commanded a regiment of cavalry that followed Genl’s Shelby, Hindman and Kirby Smith into Mexico after the war.  

Trout, Robert J., Galloping Thunder: The Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion. Author focuses on individual men quoting from hundreds of letters and journals. Large volume, thoroughly researched and excellent work on Stuart’s infamous mounted artillery. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, 2002, 786 pgs.  

Trout, Robert J., They Followed the Plum: the Story of J.E.B. Stuart & His Staff. First complete biographical record of Stuart’s 48 staff members and four headquarters personnel who served under the Confederate chieftain. Stackpole, Mechanicsburg, 1993, 382 pgs. Well written, informative and very interesting. 

Trout, Robert J., With Pen & Saber: The Letters and Diaries of J.E.B. Stuart’s Staff Officers., Harrisburg, Pa: Stackpole, 1993. Using their diaries and letters home Trout gives us another excellent and entertaining account of the inner circle of Stuart’s staff and campaigns.  

Trueheart, Charles William. Rebel Brothers: The Civil War Letters of the Truehearts. Edited by Edward B. Williams. Texas A&M University Press, 1995. Story of members of a Galveston family who served with the 8th Alabama Infantry and the 7th Virginia Cavalry and McNeill’s Partisan Rangers. 

Van Borcke, Heros, Memoirs of the Confederate War for Independence. Prussian officer who attached himself to JEB Stuart’s staff. Rich, exciting account although somewhat embellished by a renown member of Stuart’s inner circle. Exceptionally fine recollections as told to John R Thompson in London after the close of the war. (New York, 1938). Reprint by Morningside, Dayton, Oh., 1985. 

Vandiver, Frank E., Ploughshares Into Swords, Josiah Gorgas and the Confederate Ordnance Department., Univ. of Texas Press, Austin, 1952. Simply the best written overview of the Confederate Ordnance Department’s operations and its instrumental contributions to the success of the Confederacy. Largely based upon Gorgas’ diaries. Included here because of its value.  

Walters, John, The Civil War Diary of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. Shippensburg, Pa: Burd Street Press, 1997.  

Ward, William W. For the Sake of my Country, The Diary of Col. W.W. Ward, C.S.A. Vol. III. Murfreesboro, Tn: Journal of Confederate History Series, 1992. An excellent though sometimes a bit skimpy diary, Ward rode with the 9th Tennessee Cavalry, Morgan’s Brigade.  

Watson, George William. The Last Survivor, The Memoirs of George William Watson. Brian Stuart Kesterson, ed. Washington, WV: Night Hawk Press, 1993. A Horse Soldier in the 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Welch, Stephen Elliott, John Michael Priest (ed.) “Stephen Elliott Welch of the Hampton Legion.” Shippensburg, Pa: White Mane Publishing Co., 1994. Nicely edited letters of a member of Hamptons Legion.

Wells, Edward L. Sketch of the Charleston Light Dragoons. Camden: Jim Fox, 1996. 4th South Carolina Cavalry. Formed at least as early as 1733, being called then with British loyalty, the “Charleston Horse-Guards,”. In the American Revolution, they were called the “Charleston Light Dragoons,” Volunteering for service to their State in 1861 they operated as an independent Cavalry Company defending the land approaches to Charleston and keeping the railroad open between Charleston and Savannah. They later became Company “K” of the 4th S. C. Cavalry in Butler’s Brigade, fighting in Virginia and in the Carolina’s

Wiggins, Sarah Woolfolk. Journals of Josiah Gorgas, 1857-1878. Tusacaloosa: University Of Alabama Press, 1995. Though edited to largely emphasize the relationship of a 19th Century Southern family it provides a vivid picture of the war’s true effects on the home front.

Williams, E.W. With the Border Ruffians; Memories of the Far West. Includes information on the 33rd Texas Cavalry.

Williams, James, J., Mosby’s Rangers. Record of operations of the 43rd Battalion from its organization to the surrender from a diary of a private supplemented with official reports. Williamson’s account contains personal observations and unique illustrations. Time Life Books, Alexandria, 1982, 511 pgs.

Williams, Leonard., Boot Full of Memories, Capt. Lenonard Williams, Hampton Legion, 2nd S.C. Cavalry. Edited by David Douglas and Robert L. Brown Publisher. Gray Fox, Camden, SC, 2003. Letters from an educated and prolific correspondent, Cpt. Leonard Williams commented freely on changing conditions and appraised the needs and condition of his company. Riding at the head of his company for 4 years he was a participant in the cavalry actions in Virginia and was commended personally by JEB Stuart for leading a charge that broke a Federal line at Jack’s Shop on the Rapidan.

Witherspoon, William, Reminiscences of a Scout, Spy and Soldier of Forrest’s Cavalry. Jackson, Tenn., McCowat-Mercer Printing Co., 1910. Witherspoon fought under Forrest with Co. L, 7th Tennessee Cavalry.

Woodruff, William E., With the Light Guns in 61-65: Reminiscences of Eleven Arkansas, Missouri and Texas Light Batteries in the Civil War., Little Rock Central Printing Co. 1903, Good first person account of the artillery in the Trans-Mississippi. Major Woodruff fought in S.W. Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and into the Indian Territory. Re-printed by the Eagle Press of Little Rock in the 1990’s.

Wyeth, John Allen, M.D. With Sabre and Scapel, Autobiography of a Soldier and Surgeon. Harper & Brothers, New York and London, 1914. Interesting account of war time activities and post war education and career as a noted surgeon. Wyeth was a member of the 4th Alabama Cavalry. He rode under John Hunt Morgan in his famous 1863 Christmas Raid and was with Wheeler in the Sequatchie Valley of East Tennessee and at Chickamauga before being captured and finishing the war at Camp Morton Prison. Though never serving under N.B Forrest Wyeth admired him enough to pen the one of the first extensive and well written biographies of the famous general, “That Devil Forrest, Life of General Nathan Bedford Forrest.” as well as numerous articles on Forrest, Wheeler and Morgan.                                                                              

Young, J.P. Seventh Tennessee Cavalry: A History. Dayton, Oh: Morningside Press, 1976. Young enlisted as a private in Company D of Forrest’s old regiment in 1861.

Campaigns of Wheeler and His Cavalry 1862-1865 Including the Santiago Campaign 1898, Dodson, W.C. ed.,J. J. Fox, 1997.