"This volume enriches the historiography of the Civil War. The editors should be commended for their fine collaborative efforts."--Civil War Regiments"The quality, the depth of feeling, the frankness and the variety of subjects that mark these letters make for a connection between the reader and correspondents unusual in such collections...The editors have wisely let the Simpsons speak for themselves. So thorough were the letter writers in their descriptions that the editors could keep the notes and introduction to a minimum. This is a book not to be missed"--Georgia Historical Quarterly"Very interesting."--James A. Hakken, Jackson Community College"The war unfolds for the reader as it did for the soldier, full of great and horrible possibilities...Readers will find the real war in these letters written from the camp, battlefield, hospital, and picket line."--Civil War News"Like all good autobiographies, these witty and poignant letters reveal more about the authors than they had intended. As two young college boys turn into seasoned campaigners, we see an entire generation transforming itself into something it never expected."--Raymond L. Puffer, KLIATT