From Cooperstown and its surrounding region; upstate New Yorkers responded to President Lincoln's call to service by volunteering in droves to defend an imperiled Union. Drawn from the farms and towns of Otsego and Herkimer counties; the 121st New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment served with the Sixth Corps in the Army of the Potomac throughout the Civil War. In the first comprehensive history of the regiment in nearly ninety years; Salvatore Cilella chronicles the epic story of this heroic "band of brothers." Led for much of the war by the legendary Emory Upton; the 121st deployed nearly 1;900 men into battle; from over 1;000 at call-up to the 330 who were finally mustered out of its war-depleted unit. Its soldiers participated in 25 major engagements; from Antietam to Sailor's Creek; won six Medals of Honor; took several battle flags; led the charge at Spotsylvania; and captured Custis Lee at Sailor's Creek. Cilella now tells their story; viewing the war through upstate New Yorkers' eyes not only to depict three grueling years of fighting but also to reveal their distinctive attitudes regarding slavery; war goals; politics; and the families they left behind. Cilella mines the letters; diaries; memoirs; and speeches of more than 120 soldiers and officers to weave a compelling narrative that traces the 121st from enlistment through the horrors of battle and back to civilian life. Their words vividly recount the experience of combat; but also rail against Washington bureaucrats and commanding generals. Many were upset with those who suggested that Emancipation was the war's primary cause; declaring their fight to be for the Union rather than freed slaves; but they also scorned any Northerners who sympathized with the South. Cilella also features compelling portraits of the regiment's three commanders: original recruiter Richard Franchot; West Pointer Upton; by whose name the 121st came to be known; and Otsego County native Egbert Olcott. Readers will especially gain new insights into the charismatic Upton; who took command at the age of 23; was a fearless leader on the field of battle; and became one of the army's most admired regimental leaders; clearly marking him out for future accomplishments. As dire as the war became; especially in the summer of 1864; Upton's Regulars repeatedly told their families they would do it all again and would sooner die in battle than shirk their responsibility to the Union. This regimental history stands as a testament to that dedication-and as an unvarnished look at the harsh realities of war.
#76256 in Books University Press of Kansas 2000-06-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.44 x 1.08 x 6.00l; 1.28 #File Name: 0700611223344 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A real gem!By CustomerI found Lt Bidermann's accounts of the 132 Infantry Division and participation with the 436 Inf Regiment as informative as it was entertaining. I must admit I had little historical knowledge of the Wehrmacht on the Eastern front aside from Von Paulus' 6th Army in Stalingrad. I found this more personal "soldier's" account to be humanizing. As I began to understood their loyalties to Germany and to each other my respect for their professionalism grew.. My thoughts often drifted between Lt. Bidermann and his comrades; of the sacrifice that they had made and the anticipation of those yet to come. I came away with a deeper understanding of the bravery and commitment from originally fighting Bolsheviks to eventually attempting to protect Germany. From seemingly indefensible position in the Courland Pocket they managed the unthinkable against overwhelming odds. And as a Professional Soldier Bidermann seems to bear no ill will towards his adversaries on the field. Of course his dislike for political types regardless of nationality was entirely a different matter. . Excellent Read!I appreciate Derek Zumbro's efforts in bringing this "soldier's story" to light.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Common SoldierBy Matthew BrennanUnlike so many memoir writers; the author does not exaggerate his role in a war or compliment himself. If the reader didn't know the background; he or she would find it hard to believe that Bidermann was an oft-decorated; five times wounded soldier. He served in a straight infantry division on the Eastern Front throughout the Russo-German War. Early in the memoir; he describes passing by a large German war cemetery from the Eastern Front of World War One. Perhaps it was a harbinger of things to come.This fellow was not in a flashy unit; but his well told story is valuable precisely for that reason. He fought from Crimea to Leningrad and places in-between. east and west.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting and detailed Eastern Front storyBy Roland W.This memoir is well written and does not compare to some of the more gory eastern front memoirs that I have read in the past. Lt. Biedermann often shares his believes and also political explanations as well as his assessment of the history of how the war evolved through the years.It is detailed; but does not go into some of the more graphic explanations of other eastern front memoirs that make you visualize exploding bodies etc.It is a good read and structured. It does not always go straight into actions; but also explains the life of a German soldier and the comradeship through the early and later years of the war. As with all memoirs you have to ask yourself if all memories are fresh enough in his mind when he wrote about his accounts. But sometimes details are necessary to throw you into the action and to make the reader understand the hardship that these guys went through.
