View Cart

A Rebel's Recollections by George Cary Eggleston (1839-1911) Republished from the revised 1889 edition - (PDF 767Kb, 103pp)

Add to Cart $2.25

Originally published in 1874, the author was a distinguished Virginia gentleman of good breeding and fine family. Like so many of his kinsmen, he volunteered for service in the army of the State of Virginia, and served with disctinction as an artillery officer. His Recollections only occasionally involve battles - the narrative is mostly about life in the Confederate States of America during wartime. He is deeply aware of the motivation behind the fight for secession, the pride of the Virginians, the exceptional qualities of the womenfolk, and the ineptitude of the Confederate bureaucracy. Hardly a military biography - this is a guided tour of Civil War era society below the Mason-Dixon Line.

Recollections of a Naval Officer by William Harwar Parker Republished from the original 1883 edition - (PDF 4.24Mb, 637pp, 10 illust)

Add to Cart $2.25

Lieutenant Parker's life at sea began as a mere boy, serving aboard a United States Frigate off the coast of Africa and touring around the world. Clearly a man of some intellect and judgement, he was posted to the United States Naval Academy, but resigned his commission at the outbreak of the Civil War. Offering his services to the State of Virginia, he was commissioned and distinguished himself in several important engagements.

"After several months' shore duty, First Lieutenant Parker was sent to Charleston, S.C., where he was Executive Officer of the ironclad Palmetto State and participated in her attack on Union blockaders in January 1863. In October 1863, he became Superintendent of the Confederate Naval Academy, based on board CSS Patrick Henry in the James River, Virginia. He also commanded the ironclad Richmond. In April 1863, as the Confederate Capital at Richmond, Virginia, was evacuated, he led the Naval Academy's Midshipmen as a guard for their failing Government's archives and treasury.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/wh-parkr.htm

Comparatively little has been written about the Confederate Navy. Lt. Parker's Recollections stands out as a most interesting and readable account, especially with regard to the development and service of the iron-clad "Monitors" in the war.