Civil War Letters of Lt. Milton Campbell – 12th West Virginia Infantry (US)

Civil War Letters
of
Lt. Milton B. Campbell

12th West Virginia Infantry (US)

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Privately Printed, 2004
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Softcover, 196 pages
New, purchased from the Author.
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The author, Linda Cunningham Fluharty, was born in West Virginia. She wrote 7 books back in the early 2000’s on West Virginia in the Civil War. She states on her webpage, dedicated to West Virginia history, that her books were not for sale. Copies were given away to libraries and friends who requested them. In more recent years she and her husband moved to Louisiana. I found one of her books and reached out to her to see if she had any left. She sold me the few remaining copies she had. Her books were printed thru a commercial publisher in Nebraska.
The print runs ranged from 25 to 100 copies. Very small runs.

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From the author’s webpage

The Voice of a Soldier…
     Letters written by Civil War soldiers are the closest we have to their voices.

     This book contains 37 letters written by Lt. Milton B. Campbell during his service in the Civil War. He was in Company “I” of the 1st (W) Virginia Infantry, organized at the outset of the war to serve for three months. When the 12th West Virginia Infantry mustered into service in August 1862, Campbell enlisted and served with Company “I” until September 1864.

     The letters, written mainly to his sister, Mary, later the wife of James E. Brandon, provide a first-hand account of the activities of this regiment – and others – during the war. He names many soldiers in his letters, as well as acquaintances from his hometown of New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia.

     Lt. Campbell’s perceptions are well-articulated and convey to the reader the increasing intensity of the war, as well as the mounting frustrations of this young officer who was ultimately dismissed.

     Despite his dishonorable discharge, Lt. Campbell becomes an endearing figure through his letters. His actual service was not dishonorable and he seems to have fallen victim to the times and circumstances in which he found himself.

     Research about the people and events mentioned in each letter is presented to provide context.