My Dear Parents: The Civil War Letters of William Garrigues Bentley of the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry - Hardcover

Bentley, William Garrigues

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786416599 ISBN 13: 9780786416592

Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc, 2004

Synopsis

William Garrigues Bentley chose to leave the safety of home and family at age 19 and march off to preserve the Union. He enlisted in the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, in 1862 and served for three long years before being honorably discharged. His firsthand account details his day-to-day life as a soldier, the long marches around Kentucky, skirmishes with the Rebs, joining with Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, then chasing Hood into Tennessee and fighting in the bloody battle at Franklin, and on to rejoin Sherman in the winter of 1865 for the final months of the Carolina campaign. The discovery of new letters and documents about the Civil War is uncommon today. This book - compiled from a collection of 142 letters - not only is an important historical record but also offers an insight into the political thoughts and feelings of the time. Bentley participated in 13 of the notable battles of the war. The book includes a complete roster of the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

About this title

Review

"a labor of love"--The Civil War News; "this volume provides an unparalleled first-person look into the heart and mind of the average western soldier"--Military Images; "a useful read for anyone interested in the life and experiences of the common soldier in the war"--The NYMAS Review; "well-written...include[s] a roster of the entire 104th Ohio, which will be of interest to researchers and descendants...Bentley's letters are a good read. Bentley, who enlisted at age nineteen, was extremely observant and a very good writer...should appeal to anyone interested in the Army of the Ohio, the 104th Ohio Volunteers, and the life of the common Federal soldier in the Western theatre"--North & South; "the benefit of this book is the letters themselves. It is always a treat to be able to see the Civil War through the eyes of the participants...a nice job"--The Civil War Courier; "of significant interest"--www.h-net.org.

-a labor of love---The Civil War News; -this volume provides an unparalleled first-person look into the heart and mind of the average western soldier---Military Images; -a useful read for anyone interested in the life and experiences of the common soldier in the war---The NYMAS Review; -well-written...include[s] a roster of the entire 104th Ohio, which will be of interest to researchers and descendants...Bentley's letters are a good read. Bentley, who enlisted at age nineteen, was extremely observant and a very good writer...should appeal to anyone interested in the Army of the Ohio, the 104th Ohio Volunteers, and the life of the common Federal soldier in the Western theatre---North & South; -the benefit of this book is the letters themselves. It is always a treat to be able to see the Civil War through the eyes of the participants...a nice job---The Civil War Courier; -of significant interest---www.h-net.org.

About the Author

Barbara Bentley Smith is William Garrigues Bentley's great-granddaughter. She lives in North Carolina. Nina Bentley Baker is William Garrigues Bentley's great-granddaughter. She lives in North Carolina.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0786416599
• ISBN 13: 9780786416592
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Smith Barbara Bentley, Baker Nina Bentley