A History of the Army Experience of William A. Canfield

A young man from a modest New Hampshire farm recounts his journey from a humble childhood to the battlefields of the Civil War. After a formative religious awakening in his teens, he leaves the mill to answer the call of duty, joining the Army of the Potomac and later serving in the Southwest. His narrative captures the camaraderie of camp life, the harsh realities of marching, and the stark contrast between the hope that guided him and the brutal combat he faced.

The memoir turns poignant when he describes the wound that cost him his left arm during the siege of Petersburg, an injury that reshaped his future. In the aftermath, he reflects on his time in the army hospital and the challenges of rebuilding a livelihood for his family. Written with straightforward honesty, the account offers listeners a vivid glimpse into the personal sacrifices and resilient spirit of a soldier striving to find purpose beyond the war.