Haystacks of Limbs: The Siege of Petersburg, Virginia - 1864-1865 The Civil War diary of Anthony Gaveston Taylor, 39th Illinois Regiment - Company A - Volunteer Veteran Infantry

This is just one of the fascinating Civil War camp-life gems to be found in Bambi Rae Brown's book, Haystacks of Limbs, a true account written over 150 years ago by her great-grandfather, A. G. Taylor, a farmer from Illinois. His accounts cover the events of 1864 to 1865 as he engaged in the Petersburg Campaign and include: Butler's advance at Port Walthall Junction, VA and the casualties of 400 Union soldiers. The daily skirmishing, stacking of arms, trench digging, and camp life during the nine-month Siege of Petersburg. The horrendous aftermath of the slaughter at Deep Bottom Creek where he assisted in hundreds of amputations. The taking of Richmond, the Confederate capital, and the final flag of truce which led him to Appomattox and his regiments' muster out on December 6, 1865. Brown also includes an Overview of the Civil War as well as her ancestor's exploits from 1861-1863 while enlisted in the 39th Illinois Regiment, Company A.