Overview

At the outbreak of war, twenty-year-old Francis Adams Donaldson enlisted in the 1st California Regiment (later known as the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers) of the famous Philadelphia Brigade of the II Corps, Army of the Potomac. He fought at Ball’s Bluff (where he was captured) and participated in the Peninsula Campaign until he was wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Upon his recovery, Donaldson reluctantly accepted promotion to a captaincy I the Corn Exchange Regiment (also known as the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers), which served throughout its existence in the V Corps. In his new position, Donaldson participated in all the major campaigns and battles in the East through late 1863, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, and Mine Run. Although Donaldson made no secret of his distaste for writing he consistently sent home some of his letters filled as many as fifty pages of writing paper. Nearly all of his letter were written in camp of while on active campaign, im

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9780811736879

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""The Donaldson Civil War correspondence is arguably the most interesting and perceptive that is has been my fortune to read in more than 40 years. Unlike most Civil War collections, steeped as they are in the morality of the Victorian era, the Donaldson letters reveal much about the Civil War soldier that is not a part of the popular literature."" - Edwin C. Bearss, historian Emeritus, National park Service--Edwin C. Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service ""These letter are among the fullest, most detailed, and most incisive of any I have read--and believe me, I have read many collections. The descriptions of various battles are fuller than in any collection of letter or diaries I have read."" - James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom--James M. McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom ""This is one of the finest solider accounts of the Army of the Potomac that I have ever read. It is filled with the sort of personal vignette that brings those long-dead soldiers to life....I think it will become a classic."" - Brian Pohanka, Civil War author, lecturer, and historian--Brian Pohanka

This is one of the finest solider accounts of the Army of the Potomac that I have ever read. It is filled with the sort of personal vignette that brings those long-dead soldiers to life....I think it will become a classic. - Brian Pohanka, Civil War author, lecturer, and historian--Brian Pohanka

Author Information

A graduate of Villanova University, J. Gregory Acken is past president of the Old baldy Civil War Round Table of Philadelphia and currently serves on the board of governors of The Civil War Library and Museum. He resides in Middletown, New Jersey, with hi

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