Reluctant Witnesses: Children's Voices From The Civil War

By Emmy E. Werner

Book Overview

Between 250,000 and 500,000 boy soldiers fought in the U.S. Civil War. Many more children were exposed to the war's ravages in their home towns--in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Columbia, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry, Richmond, and Vicksburg--and during Sherman's March to the Sea. Based on eyewitness accounts of 120 children, ages four to sixteen, Reluctant Witnesses tells their story of the war: their experience of the hardships they endured and how they managed to cope. Their voices speak of courage and despair, of horror and heroism, and of the bonds of family and community and the powers of faith that helped them survive. Their diaries, letters, and reminiscences are a testimony to the astonishing resiliency in the face of great adversity and their extraordinary capacity to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Like children of contemporary wars, these children from the Union and the Confederacy speak to us across centuries without hate but with the stubborn hope that peace might prevail in the end.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813328225
• ISBN13: 9780813328225
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.5" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

A Useful Compendium

While it is true that there is little "new" written here, and that the materials can be obtained, one must also commend Dr. Werner for actually doing the work, and publishing it. There are few photographic images of children from the wartime, and any insights into the drummer boys North and South, some who upon reaching the appropriate age became soldiers, is testament to the unfortunate appeal of war throughout the centuries, how quickly the glamour fades, and how tenacious even a very young person can become once committed to a cause. Thus, the lessons of 1861-1865 are as much modern lessons as windows to the thoughts and predicaments of children and adolescents in that unfortunate conflagration. Thankfull, there is little psychobabble to explain why a boy would seek to participate, or a young girl seek to honor her elders who participated and suffered. One of the youngest drummer-boys, John Clem, ultimately became a General and lived to 1937. I would like to have seen more about his life, and perhaps a biography is in order. The book also speaks to the raised hopes, ultimately dashed, of freed children in slavery--for example, Mattie Jackson, of Missouri, wrote an autobiography in 1866 prefaced with the statement "I ask you to buy my little book to aid me in obtaining my education that I may be enabled to do some good on behalf of the elevation of my emacipated brothers and sisters." Her "book" was written down by a friend who was literate, and who edited it. As we know, the last know Confederate widow, Ms. Alberta Martin, recently passed on. The heritage of this crucial defining time in American history is still important, as witnessed by Gen. Colin Powell's 1996 dedication of a monument to the 185,000 black soldiers who fought for the Federal army. What we need is a monument to all who fell, suffered disease and deprivation, loved ones who spent the rest of their lives permanently changed by the conflict--a truly integrated monument and dedication to the Irish, Blacks, Jews, Germans, immigrants from near and far, who fought "Pro Aris et Pro Focis"--for hearth and home (Cicero), a theme found on Federal and Confederate battle flags. "With malice toward none, and charity for all" to paraphrase Mr. Lincoln, is a promise yet to be fulfilled. All who seek to preserve their heritage and acknowledge the blessings of living in the America we cherish and which so many seek to reach, is the legacy of the children who witnessed and participated in the American Civil War. We owe them all, drummer boys and girls on the home front struggling to survive, no less. However, we cannot call them all "reluctant," can we?

I'd never thought the Civil War Could be so interesting!!!

This book, about kids in the Civil War, was fascinating! I loved every word of it. When I was instructed at school to read a book about the Civil War, I was prepared to read some long, boring, historical novel. Instead, I picked up this book and couldn't put it down.This book describes the life of children in the Civil War. It goes into detail about times of sadness and times of joy. Some of the quotes are just heart wrenching to hear what these kids went through and others make you happy. This book really made me feel like I was living back then, living through the troubles of the Civil War.This book is not exactly a story but tells of different children chronologically with the war. Some of the children are mentioned throughout the whole book and others just appear once. Its so amazing what the kids went though back then. I hope you will read this book, not only for educational purposes but also for pure enjoyment. All in all, Reluctant Witnesses is a moving description of the life of kids on the battlefield, in the homes, and stranded in the middle of nowhere during the Civil War. This book is captivating and great to read. I would recommend it in a heartbeat.