Connecticut Yankees at Antietam (Civil War Series)

Review Written April 2, 2019Bloody AntietamAntietam fought on September 17, 1862, was the most deadly day of combat in all of American history. The exact casualty figures that day are elusive and will never be known. According to the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion and the Antietam Battlefield Board, the number of casualties was about 23,000; the Union lost 2,100 killed, the Confederates 1,550. Many Union (9,500) and Confederate (7,750) wounded died in the weeks and months after the battle. The higher Union casualties are reflective of the fact that they were on the offensive against the Confederate's prepared defensive positions. What was such a traumatic experience like for the soldiers fighting that terrible day?This book is a history of the US Civil War Battle of Antietam. It is however, not a typical Civil War battle history. Its purpose is not to analyze or recount the tactics and strategy of that battle, an unusually violent and bloody fight, in a war full of violent and bloody battles.This book instead strives to answer a simple question. Who were the men who fought? More particularly, who were the soldiers that day, fighting with the Union Army from Connecticut, who survived, were maimed or died at Antietam? Before the Civil War, they were farmers, teachers, laborers, blacksmiths, cigar makers—everyday people with everyday jobs. The author relates the narrative of these mostly forgotten soldiers have been uncovered by mining diaries, pension records, soldiers’ letters and photographic albums at historical societies, colleges and libraries. Using these sources the author reconstructs a different soldier's life in each chapter of this book. The writing is clear, concise, factual, and honest. There is not much of an attempt at analysis of the facts surrounding each soldiers life. I enjoyed the fact that he included, where it exists in the records, the soldiers thoughts about the battle, their motivations for joining and fighting, the impact of the battle on the rest of their lives, and other similar relevant information.The US Civil War is probably the single most written about historic events in American history. Hundreds of books, films, and research studies exist regarding almost every conceivable event and aspect of the war. I know this because I have made it my purpose, during 2019, to research, obtain, read, and learn as much as I can about It. This book was of particularly interest because it looks beyond the flags, guns, strategy, tactics and generals, to focus on ordinary ground soldiers, the infantrymen, who struggled amongst the screaming shot and shell, fought, died or were wounded, and might survive to leave a record of what battle was like, as well as, of the impact that experience had on their lives. The author reveals that the Connecticut survivors of bloody Antietam were influenced by their battle experiences for the rest of their lives. One can easily infer that these experiences shaped the lives of these survivors significantly and is likewise for all survivors, North and South, of the 100 Civil War battlefields. Thus the war was formative to the character, attitudes, concerns, and decision making of many Americains, shaping the remainder of the 19th Century in innumerable ways. This is a seminal book, meant for thought and consideration. I recommend this book to readers interested in the details of US Civil War history and in particular the conduct of combat, and its affects on soldiers.

Banks gives life to names found on rosters and tablets. He tells of soldier's occupations before entering the service. He writes of the ordeals endured, of actions taken, and of families left behind.Much of the information found in the book can also be found posted onliine.

An outstanding compilation of Connecticut's contribution to the winning of the American Civil War. Well written and researched. Highly recommended, personal accounts of the courage and suffering which accompanies all armed conflicts. Thank you!

I picked this book up because my great grand uncle is featured in the book. There was information even my Grandmother had not relayed to me. An excellent source of historical information on people in the battle of Antietam.

Thank you John Banks for a wonderfully insightful look into the lives of these Connecticut soldiers. I cannot give a accurate rating as I can only read one chapter/life story at a time and have not finished the entire book yet. Each chapter causes one to stop and reflect. I recommend this book.

Personal tales of the soldiers that were wounded and died at Antietam. Very well written....it drew me right in.....made me feel like I was there, living through each story with the soldiers. I would highly recommend this book for any Civil War buff!

As a direct decendent of one of those featured (my great grandmother), I felt that John did a terrific job of bringing these long-gone people back to life. I only wish that each chapter had been much longer.

One of my ancestors, Captain Newton Manross was highlighted in the book along with many others. It was very touching to read the stories of both the survivors and those who gave their lives.