To Petersburg with the Army of the Potomac

The letters of Levi Bird Duff present a perceptive picture of life in the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1864. They are unusual for their literacy, descriptions and continuity, the strength of opinions expressed, and their source: a private who rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, thus a witness of the army at several levels. Leadership, organizational, weather, and morale problems that plagued Union troops are made clear. Written only for the eyes of Duff’s love, the messages reflect the tension experienced by many soldiers between the conflicting calls of duty and affection.

Jonathan E. Helmreich is college historian and a professor emeritus of history at Allegheny College. He lives in Sanibel, Florida.

Levi Bird Duff
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 240
Bibliographic Info: 33 photos, maps, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4430-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5421-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi
Introduction: Levi and Harriet      1

1. In Defense of Washington, D.C.      11
2. Promotion      27
3. The Peninsula      44
4. Recovery      62
5. Fredericksburg      82
6. Winter Quarters      101
7. Chancellorsville to Gettysburg      115
8. Waiting      132
9. On the Rapidan      149
10. In Camp      167
11. Grant Starts to Move      185
12. Cold Harbor to Petersburg      199

Epilogue      209
Appendix A: Chans des Confédéres      215
Appendix B: Gettysburg Memorial Address      218
Chapter Notes      221
Bibliography      227
Index      229