Friend Jennie: The Civil War Letters of Lt. George Bryan of the 125th New York Vounteer Infrantry

"To you it seems very solemn to see a funeral but I have seen death. In so many ways that it seems to be something that must happen everyday. I have seen men killed by their fellow soldiers and those that as been killed in battle and many that have died in camp by disease. Do you wonder that I look at it so, I must say that I have seen a great deal since I left home more perhaps then many would ever see in Schaghticoke in a lifetime. Jennie I hope you may never see so much as I have seen and passed through."

So wrote George Bryan of the hardening impact of war. In "Friend Jennie," The Civil War Letters of Lt. George Bryan, 125th NY Volunteers, Bryan clearly demonstrates his masterful eloquence as a writer. In the over 40 letters that follow, all of them written to his hometown friend Clariss Jane (Jennie) Ackart, Bryan not only chronicles his experiences as an officer in the Army of the Potomac, but also touches upon a wide variety of subjects that impacted the everyday lives of the common soldier. Along with his incredible writing ability, Bryan was also extremely insightful and a keen observer. Combined, these talents make the following writings one of the best collection of Civil War letters I have seen.