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A Scottish Rebel in the Confederate Army
What could possibly induce an educated, merchant Scotsman, with no citizenship in the U.S., no sympathy for slavery, and a clear opposition to secession, to join and fight for the Confederate Army?
In this fascinating 1888 memoir by William Watson, you'll find out. As a foreigner, he had a unique and fairly dispassionate view of the impending calamity of the American Civil War. He had lived and done business in the South for several years, watching and listening to all points of view as the country slid towards disaster.
He tells us:
"I had already determined that I would never forswear or renounce my allegiance to Queen Victoria."
But when war came, Watson joined the Baton Rouge Rifle Volunteer Company to fight for the Confederacy. His insights and very self-aware answers as to why will surprise you.
His observations of life in the South before the war are worth the entire book.
For less than you'd spend on gas going to the library, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.
Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
In this fascinating 1888 memoir by William Watson, you'll find out. As a foreigner, he had a unique and fairly dispassionate view of the impending calamity of the American Civil War. He had lived and done business in the South for several years, watching and listening to all points of view as the country slid towards disaster.
He tells us:
"I had already determined that I would never forswear or renounce my allegiance to Queen Victoria."
But when war came, Watson joined the Baton Rouge Rifle Volunteer Company to fight for the Confederacy. His insights and very self-aware answers as to why will surprise you.
His observations of life in the South before the war are worth the entire book.
For less than you'd spend on gas going to the library, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.
Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1887
257 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
William Watson
3 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
William Watson was a Scot who lived and worked in the South prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Although he opposed secession, he served with the Confederate army until badly wounded at the battle of Corinth and discharged, whereupon he bought a small ship and took up blockade running in the Gulf of Mexico, making three successful passages. By the time he started much of this activity had moved to Havana, Cuba, which had attracted a variety of characters, some heroic but most shady. Watson describes his many problems in the business in a lively, modern style.
He recounted his service with the Confederacy in Life in the Confederate Army.
William Watson was a Scot who lived and worked in the South prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Although he opposed secession, he served with the Confederate army until badly wounded at the battle of Corinth and discharged, whereupon he bought a small ship and took up blockade running in the Gulf of Mexico, making three successful passages. By the time he started much of this activity had moved to Havana, Cuba, which had attracted a variety of characters, some heroic but most shady. Watson describes his many problems in the business in a lively, modern style.
He recounted his service with the Confederacy in Life in the Confederate Army.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 26, 2012
A very interesting read, I had to keep reminding myself that this book was written in 1887. The thoughts and feelings of those living at that time in history is not very much different from ours today. Outside of a few alternative spellings and phrasings, the writing is not dissimilar to today's selections. I very much enjoyed this book. The writer was very unbiased in his writing and tried to stick with the facts seen through his eyes. He gave great insight to the lives led by the soldiers in the Western Army of the Confederate States. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War. This depiction gives a view that has not been 'celebrated' in other writings and gives some vision of how these forgotten soldiers helped in the war effort.
July 4, 2020
Southern Non- Coms remarkable understanding of the War's political causes and effects on tactical and strategic operations.
I read and understand the book from a different and a bit of a personal perspective of the Civil War. I'm an amateur Civil War historian and my Great-Great and my Great-Great-Great-Grandfathers both fought for the Confederate States of America as volunteers from Georgia. Mr. Watson hits the nail on the head with his description of how politics worked during those times and that it was a minority of uncompromising "fire eaters" on both sides that resulted in the conflict. His explanations are interesting and to the point. I love the way he brings in the descriptions of the fighting along with the resulting feelings he has and how his friends act, react, and feel towards the fighting. Watson also tells about corruption in the southern army's commissary department and how the men in his unit were effected by this and how they felt. He also did an outstanding job of telling just what a despicable, corrupt, greedy, and hateful man Major General "Who stole the silver spoons?" Butler was. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Civil War or who is interested in this time of history and want to learn how closely the period of 1858 through say 1862 parallels 2018 through 2020. (Who knows what will happen in the years 2021-2022?). Goodreads everyone!!
I read and understand the book from a different and a bit of a personal perspective of the Civil War. I'm an amateur Civil War historian and my Great-Great and my Great-Great-Great-Grandfathers both fought for the Confederate States of America as volunteers from Georgia. Mr. Watson hits the nail on the head with his description of how politics worked during those times and that it was a minority of uncompromising "fire eaters" on both sides that resulted in the conflict. His explanations are interesting and to the point. I love the way he brings in the descriptions of the fighting along with the resulting feelings he has and how his friends act, react, and feel towards the fighting. Watson also tells about corruption in the southern army's commissary department and how the men in his unit were effected by this and how they felt. He also did an outstanding job of telling just what a despicable, corrupt, greedy, and hateful man Major General "Who stole the silver spoons?" Butler was. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Civil War or who is interested in this time of history and want to learn how closely the period of 1858 through say 1862 parallels 2018 through 2020. (Who knows what will happen in the years 2021-2022?). Goodreads everyone!!
April 3, 2017
Book received from NetGalley.
This is another reprint of an older book by Endeavour Press. I liked reading about the life of a Confederate soldier. This one was a soldier from Louisiana and reads like a journal. I have read multiple books of this type lately and I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. I do like the fact that this publishing company is reprinting these books so they can be read by Civil War History enthusiasts. I may end up getting a copy of this for my own shelves for a reference book.
This is another reprint of an older book by Endeavour Press. I liked reading about the life of a Confederate soldier. This one was a soldier from Louisiana and reads like a journal. I have read multiple books of this type lately and I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. I do like the fact that this publishing company is reprinting these books so they can be read by Civil War History enthusiasts. I may end up getting a copy of this for my own shelves for a reference book.
April 13, 2019
A true account
This book helped explain the cause and effect of the final war to me. I believe the the same type of political farce is occurring today.
This book helped explain the cause and effect of the final war to me. I believe the the same type of political farce is occurring today.
August 2, 2018
First person account
Watson was a Scot, an alien living in Louisiana. He joined the CSA voluntarily and fought bravely, being twice wounded. His book is a contemporary account and gives the lie to the beliefs that secession was uniformly believed to be a good thing in the South (it was at best supported by half the population); and that the war was one in which the South fought to "preserve slavery" and the North to "abolish slavery." These ideas are widely held today, but Watson's first hand experiences with fellow soldiers and Union prisoners contradict them; as do Union memoirs, who emphatically assert the goal was to preserve the Union and nothing else. Watson has low regard for the Confederate government and Army officers (most especially Bragg) and always felt the Confederacy was doomed from Day One. He regarded Ben Butler, the Union officer in charge at New Orleans as the Devil incarnate; and the Emancipation Proclamation as a pointless political exercise. Modern Americans, steeped in the Politically Correct view of the war should read this account if only to discover how one who fought in it viewed the conflict, its reasons for happening, and its outcomes in a different light. Then read Union memoirs and note the points of similarity of view.
Watson was a Scot, an alien living in Louisiana. He joined the CSA voluntarily and fought bravely, being twice wounded. His book is a contemporary account and gives the lie to the beliefs that secession was uniformly believed to be a good thing in the South (it was at best supported by half the population); and that the war was one in which the South fought to "preserve slavery" and the North to "abolish slavery." These ideas are widely held today, but Watson's first hand experiences with fellow soldiers and Union prisoners contradict them; as do Union memoirs, who emphatically assert the goal was to preserve the Union and nothing else. Watson has low regard for the Confederate government and Army officers (most especially Bragg) and always felt the Confederacy was doomed from Day One. He regarded Ben Butler, the Union officer in charge at New Orleans as the Devil incarnate; and the Emancipation Proclamation as a pointless political exercise. Modern Americans, steeped in the Politically Correct view of the war should read this account if only to discover how one who fought in it viewed the conflict, its reasons for happening, and its outcomes in a different light. Then read Union memoirs and note the points of similarity of view.
February 20, 2020
Not what it says it is
Really disliked this book. Author protests that he is just giving the view of what he saw, presumably while serving in Confederate army. You must get 30% through the book before it even gets to the army life. The author continuall6reminds us he is unbiased observer then his strong biases are clearly seen. He comments on all sorts of things of which he has no experience or expertise such as the nature of European armies. There is almost no, zero, personal observations. I stopped reading after the second section was just like the first. This really seems like it was written recently by someone just who just wanted pretend they where there so they could unload their own opinions. I think I paid 99 cents. That was too much
Really disliked this book. Author protests that he is just giving the view of what he saw, presumably while serving in Confederate army. You must get 30% through the book before it even gets to the army life. The author continuall6reminds us he is unbiased observer then his strong biases are clearly seen. He comments on all sorts of things of which he has no experience or expertise such as the nature of European armies. There is almost no, zero, personal observations. I stopped reading after the second section was just like the first. This really seems like it was written recently by someone just who just wanted pretend they where there so they could unload their own opinions. I think I paid 99 cents. That was too much
December 31, 2018
A well written and informative account of the origin's and early years of the American Civil War.
As a one time member of an American Civil War reenactment society, I have always been interested in this particular conflict. A contemporary account of someone who took part in this war is I feel invaluable, particularly someone who fought for the South. I also discovered a few facts that I was unaware of (e.g. smooth bore muskets were still in use by the Southern armies and many volunteers were only required to serve for one year). A very good read from someone who was seen as a foreigner and had a more dispassionate view of the conflict.
As a one time member of an American Civil War reenactment society, I have always been interested in this particular conflict. A contemporary account of someone who took part in this war is I feel invaluable, particularly someone who fought for the South. I also discovered a few facts that I was unaware of (e.g. smooth bore muskets were still in use by the Southern armies and many volunteers were only required to serve for one year). A very good read from someone who was seen as a foreigner and had a more dispassionate view of the conflict.
February 5, 2025
Very revealing account of the political maneuvering leading to La. Secession and divide between slaveholders and the other 90% of the population. Views on Lincoln vs Seward held by the south, and perceived weakness of Lincoln politically due to his low vote %, together with inaction of Buchanan in response to SC secession fascinating. Also the views and actions of both southerners and federal troops toward slaves would upset many so called established truths about them. Lastly how Emancipation Proclamation was worded and therefore interpreted very interesting-another matter at odds with its reputation and meaning as taught today.
November 8, 2021
Interesting perspective
The author was a Scotsman who served in the Confederate Army as a sergeant. The writing offered a unique and objective viewpoint and identified nefarious characters that may have wanted this war. He also makes the case that not much was done in the way of federal intervention earlier on, or diplomacy, to prevent it.
His analysis of The Emancipation Proclamation was fascinating, the document did not actually free many slaves.
The author was a Scotsman who served in the Confederate Army as a sergeant. The writing offered a unique and objective viewpoint and identified nefarious characters that may have wanted this war. He also makes the case that not much was done in the way of federal intervention earlier on, or diplomacy, to prevent it.
His analysis of The Emancipation Proclamation was fascinating, the document did not actually free many slaves.
February 14, 2024
I must admit that this is by far the beat account of the Civil War I have ever read. Written from a common soldier and on a common level. Not of an officer or a political viewpoint.
Written by a Private, later promoted to a Sergent, it covers the enlistment, training and movement to battles of the Western theater of war with first hand accounts of the battles of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, a few skirmishes before Corinth and Iuka.
Written by a Private, later promoted to a Sergent, it covers the enlistment, training and movement to battles of the Western theater of war with first hand accounts of the battles of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, a few skirmishes before Corinth and Iuka.
March 29, 2020
A book that rang true
Having spent two tours in Vietnam I could relate to a lot of the author's experiences. I also was surprised that warmongers and politicians were just like the ones that got so many of us killed and injured in Vietnam over absolutely nothing and that the Civil War was just as pointless as the Vietnam catastrophe.
Having spent two tours in Vietnam I could relate to a lot of the author's experiences. I also was surprised that warmongers and politicians were just like the ones that got so many of us killed and injured in Vietnam over absolutely nothing and that the Civil War was just as pointless as the Vietnam catastrophe.
April 12, 2019
Excellent book. I have read literally thousands of books and pamphlets by participants, yet Mr. Watson enlightened me.
He was highly intelligent and observant. I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
He was highly intelligent and observant. I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
April 23, 2019
Excellent study of the South, it's politics, people and their war.
Watson was a keen observer as well as a participant in the Confederacy in the west. His memoir is a must read for students of the Civil War.
Watson was a keen observer as well as a participant in the Confederacy in the west. His memoir is a must read for students of the Civil War.
February 12, 2019
Überwiegend mit Detail.
Es wäre mir viel lieber, wenn der Autor mit seinen Beschreibungen ein bisschen spärlicher wäre. Das auch habe ich durchblättert.
Es wäre mir viel lieber, wenn der Autor mit seinen Beschreibungen ein bisschen spärlicher wäre. Das auch habe ich durchblättert.
October 12, 2020
History as told by one who was there.
It is interesting to hear from a personal viewpoint. Not from a history book written by a person who has an agenda.
It is interesting to hear from a personal viewpoint. Not from a history book written by a person who has an agenda.
April 11, 2021
An excellent report by a Scotsman on the civil war
To learn about the war from the Confederate side. How salavery was not the important issue it was freedom that was first.
To learn about the war from the Confederate side. How salavery was not the important issue it was freedom that was first.
April 7, 2025
Nicely written
The first 150 pages are slightly dull. Persevere and it becomes informative and entertaining. A window to another time and place.
The first 150 pages are slightly dull. Persevere and it becomes informative and entertaining. A window to another time and place.
March 12, 2021
Available at Open Library:
https://archive.org/details/lifeincon...
https://archive.org/details/lifeincon...
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews