Soldiering with Sherman: The Civil War Letters of George F. Cram

George F. Cram, Author; Jennifer Cain Bohrnstedt, Editor

ISBN 10: 0875802613 / ISBN 13: 9780875802619

Published by Northern Illinois University Press, DeKalb, IL, 2001

About this Item

Northern Illinois University Press, DeKalb, IL. 2001. Hardcover. Stated 2nd Edition. Book is tight, square, and unmarked. Book Condition: Very Good; scant shelfwear; oil stains to front and rear board bottom edges- small spot on front in center and larger spot towards the front tip. DJ: Very Good; light bumping to head; oil spots at bottom edges of DJ; not visible on front only on reverse; offset with stains on boards. Khaki cloth boards and spine with bright copper lettering on the spine. Maps as endpapers. 210 pp 8vo. The author was a sergeant in the Union Army, 105th Illinois Infantry Regiment, during the American Civil War. He fought in a number of conflicts; Resaca, Peachtree Creek, Kennesaw, and Sherman's "march to the sea." He was a highly literate college student who wrote candid letters about the war with piercing objectivity, optimism, and a dry sense of humor. He reported the details of camp life, depicted campaigns through Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, and contributed new insights into the battle scenes and about the key Union leaders. A clean very presentable copy.

Seller Inventory # 020685

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Soldiering with Sherman: The Civil War Letters of George F. Cram
• Publisher: Northern Illinois University Press, DeKalb, IL
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0875802613
• ISBN 13: 9780875802619
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Autobiography
  • Civil War
  • Journalism/Writing

About this title

Synopsis

Rare among Civil War correspondence, the collection of Union Sergeant George F. Cram's letters reveals an educated young man's experiences as part of Sherman's army. Advancing through the Confederacy with the 105th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Cram engaged in a number of key conflicts, such as Resaca, Peachtree Creek, Kennesaw, and Sherman's "march to the sea."

A highly literate college student who carried a copy of Shakespeare in his knapsack, Cram wrote candid letters that convey insights into the social dimensions of America's Civil War. With a piercing objectivity, optimism, and a dry sense of humor, Cram conscientiously reported the details of camp life. His vivid depictions of the campaigns throughout Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas contribute new insights into the battle scenes and key Union leaders.

Cram and several of his compatriots adhered to a principled code of personal conduct (no smoking, swearing, drinking, or gambling), striving to maintain integrity and honor in the face of war's hardships and temptations. Influenced by the abolitionist values of his community and college, Cram's observations on the effects of slavery and on the poverty of many of the Southerners are especially illuminating.

Civil War scholars and general readers alike will learn much from Cram's discoveries and observations—from his sympathy for poor whites to his grudging respect for the Confederates—that reveal the character of a young man maturing at war.

About the Author

Jennifer Cain Bohrnstedt is a trustee of the California History Center Foundation, a member of the Peninsula Civil War Round Table, and an independent Civil War scholar.

Orville Vernon Burton, who provided the Introduction, is Professor of History at the University of Illinois.