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Summary
Dear Delia chronicles the story of Henry F. Young, an officer in the famed Iron Brigade, as told through his 155 letters home. His insights, often poignant and powerful, enable readers to witness the Civil War as he did. Young covers innumerable details of military service—everything from the camaraderie, pettiness, and thievery he witnessed among the troops, to the brutality of internecine war. He was an equally astute observer of the military leadership, maneuvers and tactics, rumored troop movements, and what he considered the strengths and weaknesses of African American soldiers.
From newspapers, he retained a firm grasp of Wisconsin and national politics, often noting incidents of graft and corruption and offering pointed opinions regarding the 1864 presidential election. Above all, Young’s communications highlight his unflagging patriotism—his fierce determination to preserve the Union no matter the cost. Candid, contemplative, thorough, and occasionally humorous, Young provides a clear window into everyday events as well as into war, society, and politics. Civil War enthusiasts will appreciate this correspondence, as it reveals the perspective of a young officer from America’s western heartland, a regional viewpoint generally omitted from Civil War–era documentary projects.
Author and Editors
Michael J. Larson, an expert on the civil war and previously taught hisory in several school districts. He is an editor for Dear Delia and co-authored Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen: Reminiscences of the Civil War by John Eaton.
John David Smith is a professor of American History and has edited many books on the civil war including "New Perspectives on Civil War-Era Kentucky," and "The Long Civil War: New Explorations of America's Enduring Conflict."
Details
- Hardcover
- Size: 10" x 12"
- Pages: 312
- Illustrations: Many black and white photographs
- Publication: 2019. University of Wisconsin Press.
