The American Civil War developed from a conflagration of ideologies, state rights, secession and slavery. The letters contained in this volume are the words of the average citizen voicing courage and anguish during this time. Many missives are between a sutler from upstate New York and his loved ones in Candor, and others from friends on the front lines. These echoes from the past are vibrant with life, hardship and death; on farms desperate for workers, and villages struggling to meet draft quotas. In 1861 through 1865 the music of war could be heard resonating across the continent, to encourage recruits, boost morale and keep cadence on marches. Songs of patriotism, faith and love illustrating the beliefs of both North and South, are a recurring theme in this volume. Part One contains chapters: The Cadence of War; The Much Maligned Sutler & His Goods; The Sutler from Candor; Oaths of Loyalty and Allegiance; Women of the American Civil War and the Sanitary Commission; Contrabands; Defenses (Rails, Cannons, and Telegraph); Arsenal and Hospitals at Washington, D.C.; Of Presidents and Generals, of Cabbages and Kings. Personal letters to and from the sutler from Candor, William C. Gridley, and his friend and future wife, F. A. Keeler, are interspersed throughout the chapters of Part One. Part Two (Letters from Family & Friends) contains the following chapters: Documents, Photos, Relevant News Articles (Personal Letters Interspersed); Drugs (Such as They Were); War Steeds; Civil War Draft and Dodgers; Fashionable or Not; Specie Concerns; President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865); After the War; Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) - Memorabilia - 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg Invitation; and, Perhaps. Numerous vintage photographs, a list of references and a full-name index add to the value of this work.
