57th NY: The Diary of a Young Officer Serving with the Armies of the United States During the War of the Rebellion

Unit: 57th New York

Unit Affiliation: (3), 1, II

Title: The Diary of a Young Officer Serving with the Armies of the United States During the War of the Rebellion

Author: Favill, Josiah M.

BTC’s Take: Favill’s account of his service in the Union army from Bull Run to the spring of 1864 is well-written and entertaining even for the present day reader.  Favill offers extremely detailed accounts of his service at First Bull Run and then in the Army of the Potomac with the 57th New York.  He rose from acting adjutant of the 57th New York to a staff officer in Caldwell’s (later Barlow’s) Division of the Second Corps, and throughout Favill does not hesitate to offer his opinion on various people, places, and other matters.  See Jeffry Wert’s review of a reprint of this excellent book at Civil War News for more information.

Unfortunately, Favill’s book contains no information on the Siege of Petersburg, making it less useful within the context of this web site.

Book Summary/Review:

BTC Siege of Petersburg Book Notes:

Publisher: R.R. Donnelley

Publication Date: 1909

ISBN-13: 978-1116303896 (2009 BCR reprint)

Links to Read/Buy:

1. The Diary of a Young Officer Serving with the Armies of the United States During the War of the Rebellion (Google Books)
2. The Diary of a Young Officer Serving with the Armies of the United States During the War of the Rebellion (Amazon.com)