Hi list,
I thought it would be helpful if a list was made up of books that would good give information to the fresh fish out there..Since I'm a member of that particular species of creature I'll start...

1) Civil War Reenactors Encyclopedia , great pictures of actual gear and uniforms

2) Reliving the Civil War by Hadden: good information on how to get started in this hobby

3)The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium: Well researched articles on how to authentically portray a Eastern theater Union soldier

4) The Union soldier in battle by Hess: Great book on how troops acted in battle

5)The Bloody Crucible of Courage by Nosworthy :Detailedi nformation on weapons and how they were used

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thanks

Will Coffey


proud member of the 149th NYSV

most importantly, read books on the particular unit that you are protraying, so you wil be an informative member of the group. I believe if you know the actual history of the men you are trying to honor and their sacrafices it will push you to be the best you can..

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thanks

Will Coffey


proud member of the 149th NYSV

Your posts are very informative I might add the following books.
Hard Tack and Coffee by John D. Billings. Although written almost twenty years after the great conflict, it still gives a good picture of how the common soldier lived. The Life of Billy Yank by Bell I. Wiley does the same (He also wrote one about The life of Johnny Reb). I also reconmmend investing ina good manual on Civil war tactics. Our unit uses Caseys but check and see what your unit used during the war. I remain your Obedient servant, Neil K. MacMillan

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Neil K. MacMillan 12th US Inf. "Those who forget History are doomed to repeat it."- Santayana

Hey, First Sergeant, long time no hear.

Hard Marching Every Day and Si Klegg and His Pard are on my list.

Also, read Gilham's manual for some details. Note that Gilham's faces the company to the left, which eliminates the problem of having the taller shooter in front. You can view it online at

http://47thva.org/gilham/

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Yours most respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. L. ("Rob") Griffiths

Co. "B", 149th Reg't. of N.Y. Vols.
Co. "G", 157th Reg't. of N.Y. Vols.

Will and all,

All great recommendations. I have "The Union Soldier in Battle", and "Hardtack & Coffee", and I thoroughly enjoyed them both. My copy of "The Bloody Crucible of Courage" is actually a soft bound pre-published uncorrected proof copy that is signed by Brent, the author. It is unedited, and even has a warning statement in the front that it may contain typographical errors. I got it from Brent as a gift. Kind of cool.
I also highly recommend as you did, the CRRC from the Columbia Rifles, in fact my 2nd edition just arrived today! It's got a TON of info. I'd also recommend the Time-Life "Echoes of Glory" books, "Arms and Equipment of the Union", and "Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy", as well as "House Divided, The Story of Freemasonry and the Civil War", by Allen E. Roberts. (Yes I am of the Craft). I too would also recommend any regimental histories that have been written if any regarding the unit that your group represents.

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Dan Houde

Proud Member Co. B, 149th NYSV
Cobleskill #394 F.&A.M.
Cpl. James Tanner Camp #134 SUVCW

I have both of those and they are great references. I also have Joslyns guide to military ettiquitte(sp) Another book I have that gives you a real good idea of social mores for the time Is titled A gift Book for Young Men by Dr. William Alcott I have a first edition from 1853 and I doubt the work is in print anymore but it is a fascinating book. The boook is an eiitquitte manual for young gentlemen By the way, Will Great job on starting a fascinating thread! Neil

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Neil K. MacMillan 12th US Inf. "Those who forget History are doomed to repeat it."- Santayana

For magazines I would suggest the
1) The Civil War Historian: a top quality magazine with great articles
2) The Citizens' Companion : a journal for civilian reenacting

I debate putting this one on here, because of problems they have had, but they seem to be improving so I'll list Camp Chase Gazette also..

There is also a couple of Civil War newspapers
1) Civil War News
2) Civil War courier

ps no wonder why my wife hates to get the mail, its all for me

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thanks

Will Coffey


proud member of the 149th NYSV

I'd have to agree that the Civil War Historian is without a doubt one of the best if not thee best publication out there. I do still receive the CWN, I've been getting it for the past 8 years, and we advertise in it for our sutlery. It's not the best, but I still enjoy reading it. I just received a complimentary copy of the CW Courier, I am thinking about getting that now too as it too has seemed to improved.
On the topic of books, I have a unique find, "Sherman and his Campaigns", by Rev. F Senour, published in 1865. What really makes this book unique is that it was written before the War ended. It is also signed inside the cover, "Christmas Greetings, To: Ernest Sherman Cramer, Ph.D, Grand Nephew of Gen'l William T. Sherman, and also an avid student of the Civil War. From his wife, Drew Hummer Cramer, Dec. 25, 1961.
Kind of cool I thought. I have a pretty good collection of 19th century published books pertaining to the Civil War, as well as Freemasonry.

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Dan Houde

Proud Member Co. B, 149th NYSV
Cobleskill #394 F.&A.M.
Cpl. James Tanner Camp #134 SUVCW

All of these are good referance materials. I have the the C.R.s1st edition have yet to order the 2nd.All the info is nice to know .It's even better when it's applied to your impression.

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Brian W.Swartz

Scourge of Broome County wrote:

.All the info is nice to know .It's even better when it's applied to your impression.

Thats why lists like these are important, as the first step in improving your impression is knowing the difference between a good and bad one

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thanks

Will Coffey


proud member of the 149th NYSV

To all,

I suggest that you try to obtain some of the R.L. Murray series "Letters from the front." Even if it isn't about Onondaga County, they are insightful into the mind of a soldier. On that same note, it is also practical to obtain schoolbooks from that era. As a history professor told me this semster: "Don't judge based upon what you know, judge based on what they knew." In a history book for 6th graders, there is extensive detail into the complexities and issues in the Middle East.

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Alexander M. Stowe
Son of New York
122nd NYVI

Alex,

Greetings. Yes, I am a big fan of R.L. Murray myself. I have "letters from the Front", there is great info on Onondaga County Regiments in this book, including the 149th NYSV. I also have his "Never Forsake the Flag", which is a collection of letters written by Capt. George Turnbull of the 134th NYSV, one of the local regiments here where I live. Lastly, I have his book, "A Perfect Storm of Lead", which about the Defense of Culp's Hill during Gettysburg, and covers Greene's Brigade, (again 149th NYSV related).

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Dan Houde

Proud Member Co. B, 149th NYSV
Cobleskill #394 F.&A.M.
Cpl. James Tanner Camp #134 SUVCW

I have his New Yorkers in the Civil War (Volume 4) and Madison County Troops in the Civil War. He also sent me a preview of an historical novel he wrote - the name of which escapes me at the moment - but I must confess that I never got around to reading it.

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Yours most respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. L. ("Rob") Griffiths

Co. "B", 149th Reg't. of N.Y. Vols.
Co. "G", 157th Reg't. of N.Y. Vols.

I just received Seize the day! by William Watson " A guide to wringing more satisaction from you Civil War reenacting experience", seems to be a neat little guide around 100 pages thats sort of a hands on guide to different parts of the reenacting experience, goes into detail what the responcibilities are for different ranks, and the things you might expect at events, for only $10 its worth picking up...

http://brokenlanceenterprises.com/_wsn/page10.html is the link to buy it..

The authors description of the book in another forum is at:

http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4065

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thanks

Will Coffey


proud member of the 149th NYSV

face it anything by R.L.Murray is exelant.If you ever get a chance to go to one of lectures GO.He has done presentations for the Binghamton Civil War Roundtable each time he has been great to listen too. He also has an impressive miniture of Pickets Charge.
Osmer

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Brian W.Swartz