Perry's Saints; Or, The Fighting Parson's Regiment in the War of the Rebellion

A vivid, first‑hand account of a Union regiment’s early days in the Civil War, this memoir brings the ordinary soldier’s world to life. Drawing directly from the author’s journals, it sketches the bustling camps, the nervous anticipation before departure, and the raw reality of marching toward battle. Readers hear the clatter of drums, the camaraderie of shared meals, and the uneasy hopes that accompany each new order.

Beyond the bustle of camp, the narrative follows the regiment’s first forays into hostile territory, detailing the tense moments of their initial engagement and the stark contrast between battlefield spectacle and everyday hardship. Through candid observations of fellow officers, enlisted men, and even the civilians they encounter, the work offers an unvarnished glimpse into the hopes, fears, and steadfast resolve that defined these early months of conflict.