A Minor War History Compiled from a Soldier Boy's Letters to "the Girl I Left Behind Me": 1861-1864

A young Union recruit’s voice carries us from the cramped, makeshift barracks of Concord to the bustling streets of early war camps, capturing the humor, hardships, and camaraderie of ordinary soldiers. Through frank, often witty letters to his sweetheart back home, he paints vivid scenes of barber‑shop mishaps, communal meals, and the rhythm of marching drills, giving listeners an intimate glimpse of daily life far from the grand strategies of generals.

Beyond the battlefield’s headlines, the collection preserves the personalities of his fellow volunteers—characters like the outspoken barber, the steadfast “Abbott Guard,” and the ever‑ready campfire storyteller. Their small‑scale adventures, jokes, and moments of quiet reflection reveal the human heart of the conflict, making the era feel immediate and personal. Listeners will feel as though they are sitting beside the soldier, sharing his hopes, fears, and the simple pleasures of army life during those formative months of the war.