Brothers in Gray: The Civil War Letters of the Pierson Family - Hardcover

9780807121344: Brothers in Gray: The Civil War Letters of the Pierson Family

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807121347 ISBN 13: 9780807121344

Publisher: LSU Press, 1997

Residents of antebellum northwest Louisiana held strong pro-Union sentiments, and the Pierson family of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, were no exception, opposing secession in 1861. Yet once war began, the region contributed its full share of support to the southern army, and four of William H. Pierson's eight sons enlisted. Ranging from the early battles of the Trans-Mississippi to the epic battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and from the brutal trenches of Vicksburg to provost guard duty in north Louisiana, this extensive collection of Civil War letters, written by three of the Pierson brothers, offers riveting glimpses of almost every variety of experience faced by Confederate soldiers. Prolific letter writers, the Piersons were educated, observant, and well placed to comment not only on the battles and campaigns of their regiments but also on their commanding officers, the effect of political activity on soldier morale, being taken captive, and, most of all, their entire family's understanding of and commitment to the Confederate cause.

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From the Back Cover:

This extensive collection of Civil War letters, written by three sons of William H. Pierson of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, offers riveting glimpses of almost every variety of experience faced by the Rebel soldier. Prolific letter writers, the Piersons were articulate, observant, and well placed to comment not only on the battles and campaigns of their regiments but also on their commanding officers, the effect of political activity on soldier morale, and, most of all, their entire family's understanding of and commitment to the Confederate cause. The letters vividly depict the life and duties of the private soldier, the noncommissioned officer, the company-grade officer, and the field-grade officer. They range in subject from the early battles of the Trans-Mississippi - including the campaigns at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge - to the epic battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and from the brutal trenches of Vicksburg to provost guard duty in north Louisiana in the waning days of the war. In addition to military matters, the letters reflect the social history of the South at war. They disclose much fascinating detail about the importance of extended family, attitudes toward religion and the typically firm belief in Providence's shaping the destiny of the Confederacy, and the unshakable view of southern womanhood as the guardian of the embattled republic. Idealistic and patriotic, the Piersons excoriate prostitutes, profiteers, draft dodgers, and others whom they see as polluters of their country and its uniquely righteous cause.

About the Author:

Thomas W. Cutrer, professor of American studies at Arizona State University West, is the author of Ben McColloch and the Frontier Military Tradition.T. Michael Parrish, Linden G. Bower Professor of American History at Baylor University, is the author of Richard Taylor: Soldier Prince of Dixie and Confederate Imprints: A Bibliography.

Thomas W. Cutrer, professor of American studies at Arizona State University West, is the author of Ben McColloch and the Frontier Military Tradition.
T. Michael Parrish, Linden G. Bower Professor of American History at Baylor University, is the author of Richard Taylor: Soldier Prince of Dixie and Confederate Imprints: A Bibliography.

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