Manhood and Patriotic Awakening in the American Civil War

the long version

There have been many books devoted to the troops that fought in the Civil War and the social history underlying the conflict of the Civil War. Within that historical record, one question still captivates and provokes: why did they fight? Bruce Donald’s book examines that question, using as its base, a collection of 39 letters telling the story of a conflicted farm boy from a tiny town in upstate New York who after much soul-searching finally joined the Union Cavalry late in the Civil War. John E. Mattoon was a “common” soldier, aside from his uncommonly interesting and expressive letters. This book constitutes a valuable case study illuminating the motives, experiences, and ultimate realizations of a young cavalry volunteer. The scholarly research adds historical context providing colorful depth and flesh to a developing interpretation of John’s experiences. A refreshing approach to an old conflict- students, teachers, and anyone interested in the personal side of war will benefit from the first-hand glimpse of Manhood and Patriotic Awakening.