Brothers In Gray: The Civil War Letters Of The Pierson Family

Residents of antebellum northwest Louisiana held strong to pro-Union sentiments, and the Pierson family of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, was no exception, opposing secession in 1861. Yet once the war began, the region contributed its full share of support to the southern army, and four of William H. Pierson's eight sons enlisted. Ranging from the early battles of the Trans-Mississippi to the epic battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, and from the brutal trenches of Vicksburg to provost guard duty in north Louisiana, this extensive collection of Civil War letters, written by three of the Pierson brothers, offers riveting glimpses of almost every variety of experience faced by Confederate soldiers. Prolific letter writers, the Piersons were educated, observant, and well placed to comment not only on the battles and campaigns of their regiments but also on their commanding officers, the effect of political activity on soldier morale, being taken captive, and, most of all, their entire family's understanding of and commitment to the Confederate cause.

T. Michael Parrish is Linden G. Bower Professor of American History at Baylor University.