In this volume the author recreates the war and battle experience of the Civil War from the point of view of the soldiers themselves, drawing on over 25,000 letters written by more than 1000 soldiers, both Union and Confederate. He demonstrates that the men remained highly motivated and idealistic.

Drawing on more than 25,000 uncensored letters and nearly 250 private diaries from men on both sides, McPherson shows that, contrary to what many scholars believe, the soldiers of the Civil War remained powerfully convinced of the ideals for which they fought throughout the conflict.

This is an extraordinary book, full of fascinating details and moving self-portraits.