Military Reminiscences of the Civil War, Volume 1: April 1861-November 1863

A seasoned officer’s own voice guides listeners through the tumultuous first years of the conflict, offering a window into the raw urgency that surged across the nation after Fort Sumter. From the feverish call for volunteers in Ohio to the hurried construction of camps like Dennison, the narrative captures the scramble to equip, train, and organize men who were often strangers to military life. Along the way, the memoir weaves in the political debates and personal convictions that drove both politicians and ordinary citizens to the battlefield.

The account then turns to the everyday realities of camp—rudimentary shelters, scarce supplies, bouts of illness, and the relentless push for discipline under evolving tactics. It also follows early movements into western Virginia, where the fledgling forces confront rugged terrain and an uncertain enemy. Listeners will come away with a vivid sense of the challenges, camaraderie, and evolving strategies that defined the war’s opening act.