Nice, serendipidous find on Google Books

[Tom Scoufalos]

Stumbled across this narrative on Google Books earlier this week; I'm only about halfway though but would strongly recommend it as a good read with lots of little insight into the life and times of an AoP infantryman:

Our boys: The personal experiences of a soldier in the Army of the Potomac

It was written by Alonzo Hill, a private in Company D, 37th PVI/8th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves which was initially brigaded in the 1st Brigade under Reynolds. Published in 1864 - I believe Hill lost a limb and wrote it after returning home, although I haven't gotten that far yet - it's words fresh from the mind of a then 21 year old veteran of the AoP.

Very, very engaging, and lots of insight into stuff to round-out an impression nicely. Though it sounds like in 1861 at least, the main activity of this company was big-time fighting amongst themselves, physically. One thing that probably gets way under represented!

[Tom Scoufalos]

Tried to add this as an "edit" but too late; Claude Sinclair would probably enjoy the discourse on the issuance of painted tent blankets...the first mention of their being issued waterproof-anything on a personal basis, which was in March 1862...and the men's pragmatic perception and appication of them (at least as far as I've read) as in effect being painted shelter halves. Certainly not a brand-new disovery, but not encountered every day in primary sources.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Thanks very much for this, Tom. I just glanced at it a bit and look forward to reading the whole.

[Rob Weaver]

You're right - it is a nice little find. Thanks. Not only do they spend a lot of time fighting with each other, they spend a lot of time - and expend a lot of energy - avoiding BOREDOM! What a bunch of HS kids without enough adult supervision!

[Tom Scoufalos]

Interesting excerpt I thought I'd share - setting is Harrison's Landing; the writer A F Hill was serving as second sergeant of his Company D, with the company lead by o e of the lieutenants; the cap't had been captured and the fate of the company's other Lt escapes me now:

It was five o'clock when we reached camp. We had not been there long, when Sergeant Anawalt came to my tent and said:—
"You are detailed for guard to-night."
"I expected it," I replied.
"You are to act as officer of the guard."
"As what?"
"Officer of the guard."
"How is that?"
"Because our company must furnish an officer of the guard, and Lieutenant Cue being in command of the company will be called upon in his turn to act as officer of the day; I being first-sergeant, my duties will not allow me to do guard duty. You are next in command, and must of course act as officer of the guard."
This was true. Captain Conner and Lieutenant Moth were missing; Sergeant Graham had long since been transferred to the Construction Corps; Sergeant Zee had been killed at New Market Cross Roads; Sergeant Anawalt was now firstsergeant, and I was next.
"Well," said I, "I will go of course; but it will be awkward for me to act in that capacity. I presume I must wear
sword?"
• "Yes; Lieutenant Cue will lend you his."

I honestly never thought they'd go to the trouble of getting a "loaner sword" to a sergeant so he could act as officer of the guard at guard mounting ceremony immediately after as taxing a campaign as they had!

[Rob Weaver]

And the loaner is, presumably, an officer's sword! Wouldn't we laugh them off as farbs?

[Rob Weaver]

Al was quite the tourist wasn't he? Visiting Mount Vernon twice AND an excursion to the Manassas battlefield! And picking up relics to boot!