Three Years in the Sixth Corps

by George Thomas Stevens

A Concise Narrative of Events in the Army of the Potomac, from 1861 to the Close of the Rebellion, April, 1865

Genres: Civil War, History

436 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1866

About the author

George T. Stevens, 1832-1921, surgeon of the 77th Regiment, New York Volunteers.

Geo. T. Stevens, M.D., Ph. D., New York

Reviews

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't too keen on this old book initially but as soon as I stopped seeing it for the details of the battle scenes (which can be described much better in other books) and saw it for what a great narrative it is between the battles I ended up really enjoying it. Sections like what the 6th corps did just one day after Gettysburg when one almost never hears about that were great. I liked the description of the off time this Union doctor gives--something many other civil war books skip over. Well worth finding a copy of this to read.

[Barbara Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told

Interesting story. Never realized the Yankees won every battle and that the NY sixth corps won the war. Sarcasm aside an interesting telling of the civil war from the perspective of a common soldier. However one should read one from the perspective of the southern soldier.

[Ward G · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any one that is a scholar of the battles.
This could be an excellant resource.

Well, written, common language.
That does give very fine details of some of the battles.
The different command leaders. As well as unit positions.
The set up for battles. As well at times the retreats.
How the battles play out. Changes in command.

Author also giving some insight.
Into camp life. As well as the country, and people living there.
That they pass through and meet.

The only reason not a five star.
Is his continual over praising of union forces.
Every leader and commander. Wise, beloved by all the troops.

Every soldier killed, that is mentioned.
The most gallant of all. Bravest heroic, and on and on.
To where part of it reads. As if the union troops.
Had been Greek demi gods, not soldiers.
Takes away some of the credability of it.

Still very impressive. His accounts of command breakdowns.
Troop placements, and actions, events of major battles.
Historians of the war. Should like this book.

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fine early (1866) memoir of the Civil War from an Army surgeon from New York state. Evidently relying on his own journals from the time, Stevens is able to recreate the scenes of war in a vivid way. He had a keen eye for local flora and often reports on the types of trees and flowers that he passed along the roadside during otherwise tedious marches. Some of my favorite passages involve the author's encounters with newly freed slaves, and with President Lincoln, casually chatting with soldiers from the Sixth Corps who rushed to Washington when Confederates were at the city's doorstep in July 1864. Stevens tells his story specifically from the perspective of the Sixth Corps in the Army of the Potomac, which was of particular interest to me since one of my ancestors served in that organization. I believe this book would appeal most to a reader like me, but it has much to recommend it to anyone interested in the Civil War.

[Lee Thackston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history from a surgeon in the 77th New York, Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac. Most sounds like it was written by a soldier at the front but the excerpts concerning the hospitals is the unique glimpse this book will provide. Despite the repetitive usage of the term "never before in the history of armies" it is a solid read about not just this Corps, but the entire army. While some details of combat and frontline actions may be incorrect, its a great reference for the disposition of units from the Sixth Corps.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty basic book on the history of the 6th Corps in The Army of The Potomac. It goes for the entire war and is from first hand experiences. It does not get into any strategy or anything beyond basic information on what the Corps was doing specifically at any time. It is OK.