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Rebel Private: Front and Rear
Rare surviving journal of a foot soldier in Civil War, what the war was really like for a participant. Particularly important today with our soldiers all over the world.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1907
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 1, 2018
This is an interesting memoir of William Andrew Fletcher, detailing the four years he spent as a soldier of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Despite the efforts of his father, who had moved the family from Louisiana to Texas in an effort to avoid the conflict, the author left to fulfill what he felt was a duty to his country.
Mr. Fletcher fought in many of the larger battles of the war, including Second Manassas (Bull Run), Chickamauga, and Gettysburg, as well as his time trying to slow down General Sherman on his march to Atlanta. The author doesn’t say much about the overall battles and concentrates on his personal experiences instead, never mentioning overall strategy nor which side was victorious during each battle. The stories are fascinating, offering readers a chance to see how soldiers foraged for food, found clothing and mounts, as well as other stories soldiers might pick up when part of a war.
If you like history or are a student of the Civil War, this is a worthwhile read. There are many opportunities for Mr. Fletcher to explain his reasoning, and we learn much about his thoughts and how he viewed his participation. Four stars.
Mr. Fletcher fought in many of the larger battles of the war, including Second Manassas (Bull Run), Chickamauga, and Gettysburg, as well as his time trying to slow down General Sherman on his march to Atlanta. The author doesn’t say much about the overall battles and concentrates on his personal experiences instead, never mentioning overall strategy nor which side was victorious during each battle. The stories are fascinating, offering readers a chance to see how soldiers foraged for food, found clothing and mounts, as well as other stories soldiers might pick up when part of a war.
If you like history or are a student of the Civil War, this is a worthwhile read. There are many opportunities for Mr. Fletcher to explain his reasoning, and we learn much about his thoughts and how he viewed his participation. Four stars.
October 23, 2019
Anyone who is a Civil War history buff needs to read this book. It is a wonderful record of what the average every day soldier faced. It is also a good record too of how not only the war affected the soldiers but it gives insight on how the decisions made by both the North and South affected civilians. I highly recommend this book.
January 17, 2019
When I first began reading this memoir I thought uh not my cup of tea. Thought this is gonna be a waste of time. But, I kept reading and reading. Halfway thru the story, it got to the point where this memoir got pretty darn good.
I finished and WOW. The AFTERWORD made it a solid 5 rating.
Great book. If you are a Civil War buff - which I am not - then get this book and look up W. A. Fletcher.
I finished and WOW. The AFTERWORD made it a solid 5 rating.
Great book. If you are a Civil War buff - which I am not - then get this book and look up W. A. Fletcher.
July 8, 2025
Great book, I lived in Houston for 45 years, and this guy prospered with a sawmill in nearby Beaumont TX after the War. i could sort of relate to where he was coming from.
My wife is from KY with a small overlap into TN and I was somewhat aware of the conflicting loyalties in these areas.
The subject of this book visited a relative in TN during the War, this relative was a Union sympathizer, but blood overrode politics, and they parted somewhat amicably.
It has been maybe 20 years since I read this, but I think this guy escaped from a Yankee prison and had to make a long trek back home to find his unit.. He was just a regular Joe, no high brow takes here.
My wife is from KY with a small overlap into TN and I was somewhat aware of the conflicting loyalties in these areas.
The subject of this book visited a relative in TN during the War, this relative was a Union sympathizer, but blood overrode politics, and they parted somewhat amicably.
It has been maybe 20 years since I read this, but I think this guy escaped from a Yankee prison and had to make a long trek back home to find his unit.. He was just a regular Joe, no high brow takes here.
March 9, 2018
Enjoyed greatly
This book was very interesting and provided a front row view to a subject I’ve long been fascinated by. Would recommend it.
This book was very interesting and provided a front row view to a subject I’ve long been fascinated by. Would recommend it.
January 7, 2017
The style of William Fletcher’s memoir is one of my favorites to read. It is written as a story like an old relative is telling you about their past. It is factual from this private’s eyes about what he lived, what he saw, and what he dealt with through the war. He wasn’t concerned with politics of the time so you won’t be reading any of that in this one. All Fletcher was concerned with was his duty to protect and fight for his country after invasion.
It always amazes me at the differences in the men of this time from the different regions in the south, from their mannerisms to their behavior and speech. William Fletcher was from the Texas/Louisiana area and those boys were apparently a rowdy lot kind of like Quantrill’s boys. Fletcher wasn’t much different other than he had to be a little more disciplined due to actually being a private in the army. I figured that out from the beginning when he was getting up trouble with Wild Bill during his hospital stay for the measles. This was also around the time of his first encounter with lice and I have to admit as horrible an issue as I know that was for the soldiers in this war on both sides, I couldn’t help but laugh at his telling about his experience.
It’s hard to imagine all the walking these men did as privates in the army but one instance in this book really stuck with me. One of the men walking with Fletcher ended up with a blister on his foot so bad that it tore the meaty part of his heel completely off the bottom of his foot. I mean I knew of these hardships and that they marched across the south many times hungry for days and with no shoes but reading his description of that injury really drove it home.
Then Fletcher was wounded with a shot to the intestines that entered his hip. He had enough attitude and will that left the doctor no doubt he’d survive, even though they didn’t believe he would with a stomach wound like he had. Honestly I was shocked when I read where and how he was wounded to know he survived it as well. Then when he was shot in the foot and developed gangrene, good grief that was horrible. But once again Fletcher pretty much told the doctors where to stuff the attempt to cut off his foot…
He went on to tell the stories of his capture, time in imprisonment, and his eventual escape from the Yankees all the way to his trip back home after the war, including going back to work to get on with his life.
It always amazes me at the differences in the men of this time from the different regions in the south, from their mannerisms to their behavior and speech. William Fletcher was from the Texas/Louisiana area and those boys were apparently a rowdy lot kind of like Quantrill’s boys. Fletcher wasn’t much different other than he had to be a little more disciplined due to actually being a private in the army. I figured that out from the beginning when he was getting up trouble with Wild Bill during his hospital stay for the measles. This was also around the time of his first encounter with lice and I have to admit as horrible an issue as I know that was for the soldiers in this war on both sides, I couldn’t help but laugh at his telling about his experience.
It’s hard to imagine all the walking these men did as privates in the army but one instance in this book really stuck with me. One of the men walking with Fletcher ended up with a blister on his foot so bad that it tore the meaty part of his heel completely off the bottom of his foot. I mean I knew of these hardships and that they marched across the south many times hungry for days and with no shoes but reading his description of that injury really drove it home.
Then Fletcher was wounded with a shot to the intestines that entered his hip. He had enough attitude and will that left the doctor no doubt he’d survive, even though they didn’t believe he would with a stomach wound like he had. Honestly I was shocked when I read where and how he was wounded to know he survived it as well. Then when he was shot in the foot and developed gangrene, good grief that was horrible. But once again Fletcher pretty much told the doctors where to stuff the attempt to cut off his foot…
He went on to tell the stories of his capture, time in imprisonment, and his eventual escape from the Yankees all the way to his trip back home after the war, including going back to work to get on with his life.
November 28, 2013
William Andrew Fletcher enlisted as a private in Company F, 5th Texas Infantry. Hood's Texans were some of Lee's best shock troops (breaking the Union line at Gaines Mill & leading a counterattack at the Wilderness). Written in 1908 as a self-published volume, Fletcher confined his story to what he personally witnessed. A fire destroyed most of the copies but fortunately one copy found its way into the Library of Congress. A skilled woodsman & shot, Fletcher was also something of a loose cannon. He preferred scouting details--any duty that left him pretty much up to his own devices.
Fletcher spends a lot of time talking about "foraging", which can range from shoplifting from a fruit stand to stealing chickens out of a chicken coop. Discipline was obviously quite loose.
Fletcher was wounded several times. After being wounded in the foot at the Battle of Chickamauga, Fletcher transferred to the 8th Texas Cavalry, Terry's Texas Rangers. He was captured in Georgia, escaped off a train in Tennessee and was refused aid by someone who turned out to be one of his uncles. Fletcher joined up with a guerrilla band before rejoining his unit. He was in Columbia South Carolina the night it burned. Whether the fires were started by the Confederates or by Sherman's troops is still controversial.
The back cover claims that he fought at Chancellorsville but Hood's division was with Longstreet in Suffolk Virginia at the time. Another confusing item is Fletcher's claim to have observed the Confederate's retreat after the Battle of Franklin. But Hood marched his army to Nashville after the Battle of Franklin and Thomas routed Hood's army at Nashville.
Fletcher's style is folksy and enjoyable. This book is a pretty quick read.
Fletcher spends a lot of time talking about "foraging", which can range from shoplifting from a fruit stand to stealing chickens out of a chicken coop. Discipline was obviously quite loose.
Fletcher was wounded several times. After being wounded in the foot at the Battle of Chickamauga, Fletcher transferred to the 8th Texas Cavalry, Terry's Texas Rangers. He was captured in Georgia, escaped off a train in Tennessee and was refused aid by someone who turned out to be one of his uncles. Fletcher joined up with a guerrilla band before rejoining his unit. He was in Columbia South Carolina the night it burned. Whether the fires were started by the Confederates or by Sherman's troops is still controversial.
The back cover claims that he fought at Chancellorsville but Hood's division was with Longstreet in Suffolk Virginia at the time. Another confusing item is Fletcher's claim to have observed the Confederate's retreat after the Battle of Franklin. But Hood marched his army to Nashville after the Battle of Franklin and Thomas routed Hood's army at Nashville.
Fletcher's style is folksy and enjoyable. This book is a pretty quick read.
June 18, 2013
While not as famous as Co. Aytch by Sam Watkins, Fletchers Rebel Private: Front and Rear is in my opinion better. Fletchers writing is a little less folksy and filled with tall tales than Watkins memoir, but it does still suffer from those traits to a lesser extent. The narrative can also be a bit spotty, and jump around a bit, which can make it difficult to follow at times.
Despite its faults, Rebel Private offers an interesting look into the life of an ordinary soldier in the Confederate Army. Fletcher was present at most of the major battles in the Eastern Theater, through Gettysburg, and then went out west to fight with Longstreets I Corps at Chickamauga and East Tennessee. He even ends up being a POW, escaping, and then serving in Joe Wheelers cavalry for the rest of the war. Fletchers wide range of experiences help offer a broad picture of the life of a Confederate enlisted man. That's the main value to this work. You won't find detailed accounts of battles or campaigns, and the narrative is not always factually correct, but you do get a good window on the experiences and attitudes of a Rebel Private.
Despite its faults, Rebel Private offers an interesting look into the life of an ordinary soldier in the Confederate Army. Fletcher was present at most of the major battles in the Eastern Theater, through Gettysburg, and then went out west to fight with Longstreets I Corps at Chickamauga and East Tennessee. He even ends up being a POW, escaping, and then serving in Joe Wheelers cavalry for the rest of the war. Fletchers wide range of experiences help offer a broad picture of the life of a Confederate enlisted man. That's the main value to this work. You won't find detailed accounts of battles or campaigns, and the narrative is not always factually correct, but you do get a good window on the experiences and attitudes of a Rebel Private.
November 17, 2014
This memoir of a Confederte soldier is unique because most of the day to day writing during the Civil War was done by officers. This private fought in the midst of the battles of Manassas, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Chicamaunga and was seriously wounded and later captured and escaped. The beauty of this book is how articulate he was, how graphic his experience were and what it was like constantly having your face in the mud or chasing or being chased by the enemy. Mr. Fletcher later became a very successful Texas businessman and his journey home after the was and his subsequent success was very interesting. The book is often tedious because of the detail, but highlights attitudes of the time.
January 7, 2024
XXX This memoir is of a Civil War Private, a Texas/Louisiana boy who served with the 5th Texas Infantry, Company "F". Written 40 years after the war, it was originally published in 1908 in Beaumont, Texas.
That said, this is an insightful look into that war through the eyes of a young man with an optimistic attitude and no expectations. It is what it is, and he records it all. Your understanding and knowledge of the Civil War is not complete until you have read this book. It is one I will keep, and read again.
That said, this is an insightful look into that war through the eyes of a young man with an optimistic attitude and no expectations. It is what it is, and he records it all. Your understanding and knowledge of the Civil War is not complete until you have read this book. It is one I will keep, and read again.
October 16, 2019
Pretty self explanatory what the book is about. I think any journals from civil war time are worth reading.
January 21, 2010
Happened upon this book not long after finishing another first-person account of the American Civil War. That book, based on the diary and letters of a Union soldier, makes a great companion to this one. Both should be read by any modern-day fan of learning more about our nation's most turbulent time.
From a literary standpoint, Rebel Private is the better book. Written several decades after the war's conclusion, it benefits from it's design as a tale of Bill Fletcher's experience. Daniel Chisolm's notebook, by comparison, reflects only his sporadic attempts to stop and collect his thoughts, or the letters he wrote to family (there are no return letters to round-out the narrative). Chisolm's story is near complete, and wonderful to read. But again, no equal to the writing of Bill Fletcher.
Any American should benefit from reading this book. But those with some understanding of the time period and specifics of the war, itself, will be most pleased with time spent reading it.
From a literary standpoint, Rebel Private is the better book. Written several decades after the war's conclusion, it benefits from it's design as a tale of Bill Fletcher's experience. Daniel Chisolm's notebook, by comparison, reflects only his sporadic attempts to stop and collect his thoughts, or the letters he wrote to family (there are no return letters to round-out the narrative). Chisolm's story is near complete, and wonderful to read. But again, no equal to the writing of Bill Fletcher.
Any American should benefit from reading this book. But those with some understanding of the time period and specifics of the war, itself, will be most pleased with time spent reading it.
April 20, 2013
This was an excellent book in which William Fletcher, a Confederate private during the Civil War, details the extend of his vast travels. It's rare to have an entire account of a Confederate private during the Civil War. But even more rare is the fact that Fletcher saw action in everything from Gettysburg to the harassment of the rear guard on Sherman's March and still managed to tell the nitty-gritty. Furthermore, his frank and honest tone leave little to spare (with the exception of his sexual encounters which are hinted at but not talked about). This tone allowed him to talk frankly about the situation of slavery and how he felt about religion and politics without waxing ideological. A wonderful and an easy read.
January 8, 2013
Not nearly as renown as Sam Watkin's Company Aytch memoir, but definitely its' equal. Probably over regarded by me, since Fletcher served in the Texas Brigade. Totally devoid of commentary on the strategy, campaigns or "big picture" accounts, this is totally the perspective of the private during the war. What sets Fletcher's accounts apart is that he didn't seem to always have the same mindset as other Confederate soldiers and officers, but was candidly more "self preserving and self serving" in his decisions and rememberances. You can tell that nobody with a modern sensibility edited Fletcher's writing, which is refreshing.
July 4, 2013
Fletcher served in the Confederate army through the entire war and wrote this memoir mainly for his family. Although it was written from memory 50 years after the fact, it seems fresh and told with unflinching honesty. The author does not attempt to romanticize the war or make himself a hero in it. Neither does he bear any ill will against the Union soldiers he fought in the war; he saves his wrath for the preachers and politicians who got people worked up enough to fight it. This book is vivid portrait of a soldier's life in the Civil War and worth reading for anybody who has an interest in American history.
June 26, 2013
Was very interesting to read the account of a confederate soldier who fought in so many of the battles. The reading can get a little monotonous at times, but for the most part it flows along, but it is never a fast read. The battles aren't particularly exciting, but it was still cool because the author was a pretty daring guy and still some crazy stuff. Worth reading since there are so few accounts of a foot soldier's experience from the south.
March 14, 2020
Decent Reading.
A well written first hand account of a young Texas man and his ordeal within the Confederate Army. Serving in the Texas Infantry made his way into the Cavalry.
Pvt Fletcher goes into detail the battles of Manassas, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Franklin and other skirmishes. Talks of capture and escape and making his way back home to Texas from N. Carolina at the end of the war.
A unique look into the American Civil War from a Confederate Privates point of view.
A well written first hand account of a young Texas man and his ordeal within the Confederate Army. Serving in the Texas Infantry made his way into the Cavalry.
Pvt Fletcher goes into detail the battles of Manassas, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Franklin and other skirmishes. Talks of capture and escape and making his way back home to Texas from N. Carolina at the end of the war.
A unique look into the American Civil War from a Confederate Privates point of view.
May 18, 2011
A classic and well written journal of a Confederate enlisted soldier during the Civil War. Of the same genre as the Sam Watkins book, but very different in style and approach. Mr Fletcher is brutally honest, more observant, more hardened, and a bit more educated than Mr Watkins. A recommended read.
November 30, 2016
Good Historical Perspective
This is one of the few books written from a Rebel soldier's perspective. It provides considerable insight to the private's life in the Confederate army. It also gives us glimpse of several battles and the way many soldiers acted when threatened or angry.
This is one of the few books written from a Rebel soldier's perspective. It provides considerable insight to the private's life in the Confederate army. It also gives us glimpse of several battles and the way many soldiers acted when threatened or angry.
October 22, 2014
Confederate soldier William Fletcher writes his memoirs of the American Civil War. This work gives insight into the life and thoughts of a Texan in this epic struggle over states rights. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments were the real issue of the war.
March 3, 2019
Having studied the American Civil War for decades, I am more drawn to personal accounts these days than tactics and battle outcomes. This is an informative read told by one who observed and reported well without dressing up the stories. I really enjoyed it.
August 28, 2019
A first class account of a southern soldiers views and opinions
Concerning the civil war and a good many other subjects concerning every day life and living in those perilous times.
Concerning the civil war and a good many other subjects concerning every day life and living in those perilous times.
December 21, 2023
The honesty in this memoir is to admire. William "Bill" Fletcher is a savvy Texas lad who joined the Confederate Texas 5th Infantry. Co F. Pragmatic to a fault, clever thinking, and a survivalist, he is also an articulate raconteur. There's hardly a boring line in his narrative of battles, skirmishes, prison, and efforts to survive starvation and cold. He does skimp on names at times, but there could be good reason not to reveal identities of his encounters and interactions with other soldiers, citizens, and family. Bill's courage and innovation are to admire. He provides understanding of a soldier's life in the Civil War. Bill is extraordinary in what he will and won't do-- refusing to carry the flag, and turning down opportunity for new rank --Wisdom to read others, and even animals, along with a quick wit, carries him through the war in infantry and cavalry. The means of obtaining food and mounts may offend, but that is where his pragmatism gives advantage. The numerous welcomes and meals he had from country folk suggests likeability and charm. This is a good historical read, and recommended, especially for Civil War buffs.
January 18, 2024
A window into a notable time in AMerican History
I enjoyed the many idioms expressed during the course of this story! Fletcher the Texas Confederate soldier writes with a wry sense of humor and a self effacing attitude! He comes across as a man of courage,compassion and a fair example of solid citizen soldiers. This account of the Civil War years is most entertaining and educational. I highly recommend it!
I enjoyed the many idioms expressed during the course of this story! Fletcher the Texas Confederate soldier writes with a wry sense of humor and a self effacing attitude! He comes across as a man of courage,compassion and a fair example of solid citizen soldiers. This account of the Civil War years is most entertaining and educational. I highly recommend it!
August 17, 2021
Excellent private's eye view, with a variety of experiences. Fletcher served in the infantry in Virginia and later in the cavalry in the Western Theater. Fascinating descriptions of foraging, life in camp and on the march, being wounded, being captured, escaping and being on the run. Detailed stories of interactions with oppressed southern civilians.
October 6, 2018
A riveting, first-hand account of the life of an enlisted soldier for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Fletcher's stories bring to life the hardships faced by both sides, as well as the good times. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys Civil War studies.
December 2, 2021
Well written. Not only does it give a good perspective of the war from one who was there but it also looks into the human psyche, taking on issues on the morality of stealing, killing another person and how a soldier dealt with consistently surrounded by death, maiming and other aspects of war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
Authentic
I enjoyed reading this first-hand account, including many major events of the war. The writing was a bit awkward, and there were times I could not understand the meaning of various statements but I believe it was likely due to antiquated language or colloquial isms.
I enjoyed reading this first-hand account, including many major events of the war. The writing was a bit awkward, and there were times I could not understand the meaning of various statements but I believe it was likely due to antiquated language or colloquial isms.
September 29, 2009
Authentic memoirs by a Texan who enlisted, and refused advancement, as he believed it would hamper his freedom. After participating in many battles, spending time in hospital, he returned home. He was apparently quite broad-minded for his time and part of the country. It's very interesting to read what his granddaughter writes of her memories of him, as well.
It started off well, but I got totally bogged down (and bored) in the details of each battle he was in. I am not into reading those kind of details. So for the first and last part of the book: 4 stars. This is purely my OWN preference, and has nothing to do with its historical merit, which is very great, I'm sure.
It started off well, but I got totally bogged down (and bored) in the details of each battle he was in. I am not into reading those kind of details. So for the first and last part of the book: 4 stars. This is purely my OWN preference, and has nothing to do with its historical merit, which is very great, I'm sure.
April 20, 2012
My dad came across this book through a family member - the author, William Fletcher, is a distant relation of ours. That aside, this is truly an interesting and amazing read. It really does give the down and dirty side of war and how one man survived by being smart and willing to do what he had to do. I'm going to have my 13 year old son read this because I think he will enjoy it and also because it graphically describes so many hardships of war that I expect are sometimes still experienced today. Anyone who has any interest in history at all and in particular, the Civil War, will appreciate and enjoy this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews