Company Aytch or a Side Show of the Big Show: A Memoir of the Civil War

This is the definitive primary account of the American Civil War. It's funny to tragic in a heartbeat; Sam Watkins did us all a great service by taking the time to write his experiences.

great book. everyone interested in this time in American history should read it.

Who but the great-granddaughter of Sam R. Watkins should be the one to republish her ancestor's seminal work with a follow up edition?Using Watkin's personal, family-heirloom paperback copy of his book with all of his handwritten notes in the margins, McAlister provides an insight into what might have been, if Sam had published a second edition. Something he tried to accomplish before his death in 1901.McAlister herself has a degree in history from Vanderbilt. We are fortunate that she could acquire her great-grandfather's personal copy of the book, passed down through various family members to produce this new edition. It is as equally important as the one Sam R. Watkins first had serialized in the Columbia Herald (Tennessee) from 1881 to 1882. Then published in book form as "Co. Aytch: A Side Show of the Big Show" in 1882. 1500 copies total, some hardback, some paperback.Ruth now keeps her family-heirloom copy of her grandfather's book in a bank vault - rightly so. There are many versions of Watkins' book out there because it is in the public domain. Almost too many if you ask me. This is the one you want to read.It has roots.

This particular purchase was actually a gift, but I have read the book. Sam gives a unique perspective of the war. He is totally honest in his perceptions and uses his subtle sense of humor to good effect. This is not a scholarly work, but a description of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of a participant. The way he writes, I can hear is voice in my head. I have to also add that Sam is my daughter's relative through her paternal grandmother's line - 2nd cousin 4 times removed, which gives me a special interest in the book.

When you start reading this book, you'll be taken back in time to the American Civil War. You'll March along side of Pvt Sam Watkins. You'll witness the excitement and terror of nineteenth century warfare. You'll laugh and cry along with him. And at the end you'll have a much better understanding of the life of an enlisted foot soldier fighting a losing war in his own homeland.

Great first hand account of a private soldier during the civil war. Sam fought for the confederacy and saw real action in many major battles. How he survived is truly remarkable after having been in the thick of fighting for the entire war. If you love civil war history you need this book.

I have been fascinated with Civil War history since I was a kid. This book provides a first-hand account of not only the war but the complicated issues that caused it as well as the emotional toll it took on soldiers and civilians alike. Highly recommended!

This book is considered among the classics of the Civil War books written by those who were not generals, and rightly so. It has a simple style with occasional self - conscious flights of fancy. For many readers this tale opens up the lesser-known campaigns in Tennesee and Georgia. Students of the military art may wonder why the European powers, who sent many observers, missed the obvious foreshadowing of the trenches of World War I. And those not yet afflicted with PC may be interested to examine the Confederates who did the vast majority of the fighting and dying - poor whites who would not have been able to afford slaves, but fought above their weight for so long.

Sam was made famous by the Ken Burns film. He was the common man's voice. If you want a clear explanation of why he was fighting you get it in the first few pages , States rights , Tariffs and invasion of his homeland. He was at many of western campaign's big battles and his description of Battle of Franklin is amazing. His description of Yankees as puritan witch burners is classic , if he were alive today he would make a good living on have I got news for you and other such programs. As he states at the end 3200 men were in and joined the 1st Mississippi by the end of the war 65 were left , few owned or cared about slaves.

A most interesting first-person account. The anecdotal style can make the book seem somewhat self-contradictory and disjointed, but nonetheless there's much to be gleaned. While some of the battlefield experiences have been related elsewhere, they are here very fresh. Familiar in general terms with the experiences of the Confederate infantry out of the line from other sources, this book still brought those experiences very vividly to life.

For anybody with even a passing interest in the American Civil War this book is an excellent read. Written in the style and language of the day, it really puts you in the action. It most definitely isn't a historical reference book being the reminisces of Watkins as best he recalls the events he was involved in but there is plenty in there to pique the interest of the amateur historian.It should be read along with Marcus Toneys THE PRIVATIONS OF A PRIVATE in which he relates his side of the story fighting in the same regiment and battles as Watkins.

Excellent account of the hardships and privations. It would be even better to have included some illustrations to show where the journey took him, along with some references to the battles he fought.

A soldiers view of war. It shows war at its worst. Not for the soldiers honours and awards just a cold dark grave buried by the thousand. A world away from historians and generals who didnt fight but got the credit. The rank stupidity of politicians and incompetence of generals can be seen in all its glory here.