Citizen Soldier

A classic account of the Civil War from a Union Army Infantry officer

In 1861 John Beatty raised a company of Ohio Volunteers to take their part in the great conflict between the states. From this time, as an officer of the 3rd Ohio Volunteer regiment he faithfully kept an almost daily journal of life in a Union Infantry regiment. As the campaign in West Virginia began Beatty recorded the events of army life on the march, around the campfire, on picquet duty and in clashes with the Confederate enemy. He has a fine sense of humour and his anecdotes of dialogue involving soldiers, former slaves, his brother officers and their 'rebel' prisoners elevate his text from the run of the mill military memoir.
Battlefield accounts are equally graphically drawn including Perryville which he experienced as a regimental officer. Promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers in 1862, Beatty commanded a brigade at Stone River, Tuilahoma and Chickamauga. Another brigade appointment saw him in action at Chattanooga and Knoxville.
This edition includes the narrative of General Harrison Hobart of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Beatty's close friend, in which he recounts the story of his capture, imprisonment and escape.