With Grant at Fort Donelson

'Twice during the night I awoke, and could hear the groans and cries of the wounded lying out there on that bloody field. Some cried for water, others for some one to come and help them. Many years have passed since that terrible day and night, yet when my mind reverts to that time, I can hear those poor fellows crying for water. God heard them, for the heavens were opened and the rain came ... ' Originally published in 1915, this volume was conceived as a response to the younger generation of the mid-nineteenth century's increasingly urgent wish to understand the events of the Civil War. Wilbur F. Crummer, a personal acquaintance of General U. S. Grant and one of the 'Boys in Blue' who fought at many of the great battles of the Civil War, retells from personal experience the history of the devastating upheaval. With Grant at Fort Donelson presents a vivid and stirring account of the military action - and genius - of the years 1862 to 1863, using a broad range of contemporary source material as well as that collected in the years following the conflict. Unlike many other military histories, Crummer writes with a brilliant style that emulates the most sparkling prose fiction. His use of dialogue is a particularly stunning invitation for readers to experience intimate thoughts and feelings of the 'Boys in Blue' during testing times. Reading this history is a truly immersive experience, its cultural significance is undeniable and an absolute must-read.