Emerging Leader: The Letters of Carter Van Vleck to His Wife, Patty, 1862-1864 - Hardcover

Van Vleck, Carter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1469739682 ISBN 13: 9781469739687

Publisher: iUniverse, 2012

Synopsis

On October 19, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Carter Van Vleck wrote to his wife and daughter:

It takes an immense amt. of study to learn well the art of killing people, without getting killed yourself And that is the great secret of war, to kill & cripple the enemy to the greatest degree with the least possible damage to those under your command It is a fearful yet a very pleasent study I like it much better than I expected to & much better than any thing else I ever studied or practiced.

How I should like the sad realities of war, or how I should demean myself in an actual fight, of course I have as little idea as anyone else that knows me I might disgrace myself & family forever or might win honors worthy to be won.

During the next two years, the young officer would detail his Civil War experiences in intimate letters to his "whole heart's love," Patty, and their daughter Nellie. The letters reveal both the external challenges Van Vleck faced and his personal conflicts: the urge to eliminate slavery by serving his country well and the longing to return to his loved ones.

About this title

About the Author

Carter Van Vleck had practiced as a teacher, a merchant, a homeopathic physician, and a lawyer in the years before he enlisted in the 78th Illinois Volunteer Regiment. Acclaimed as a skilled orator, his persuasive ability had led him into local politics two years before hostilities began. As an officer, his ability to clearly recognize conflicts involving both his superiors and the men under his command and to articulate fair resolutions gained the respect of everyone with whom he came in contact.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1469739682
• ISBN 13: 9781469739687
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 284