The 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry - by David Williamson (Paperback)

About the Book

"This chronicle of the 47th Indiana follows the regiment's odyssey through the words of its officers and men. Sources include Chaplain Samuel Sawyer's account, soldiers' accounts, stories of war and intrigue from newspapermen of the "Bohemian Brigade," and General James R. Slack's own story. Numerous photographs, previously unpublished maps, and a full regimental roster complete this"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Organized at Indianapolis in December 1861, the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry's Civil War service spanned the Mississippi Valley and the Gulf South. From Louisville to New Orleans and on to Mobile, General James R. Slack and the 47th Indiana took the war to the inland waterways and southern bayous, fighting in many of the Civil War's most famous campaigns, including Vicksburg, Red River and Mobile. This chronicle of the 47th Indiana follows the regiment's odyssey through the words of its officers and men. Sources include Chaplain Samuel Sawyer's account of their exploits in the Indianapolis Daily Journal, soldiers' accounts in Indiana newspapers, stories of war and intrigue from newspapermen of the "Bohemian Brigade," and General Slack's own story in letters to his wife, Ann, including his postwar command on the Rio Grande. Numerous photographs, previously unpublished battle and area maps, and a full regimental roster complete this detailed account.

Review Quotes

"very well-done regimental history...not only describes some of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War but also transports the reader into the unheralded and overlooked backwaters...one of the most comprehensive histories of the war in the West that I have seen. This book goes beyond the narrow perspective of the average regimental history. I enjoyed reading the extensive, unedited excerpts from letters to local newspapers. They went beyond descriptions of skirmishes and killing. I recommend it as a primer for [the Civil War in the West]"-Civil War News.

About the Author

David Williamson (Ph.D., Tulane) has written numerous books on the history of the American Civil War.