Title: The Civil War letters of General Robert McAllister.
Authors: McAllister, Robert, 1813-1891.; Robertson, James I., 1930-2019; Robertson, James I., 1930-2019; New Jersey.
Publisher: Published for the New Jersey Civil War Centennial Commission by Rutgers University Press
Year: 1965
Subjects: United States History Personal narratives.; United States History Campaigns.
Abstract: "In addition to fighting in virtually every battle of the Army of the Potomac, missing only South Mountain and Antietam, Robert McAllister of the 1st New Jersey Infantry and later of the 11th New Jersey Infantry wrote a series of letters, here published for the first time, that reveal far more than a successful military career. As a man McAllister was an original. A former railroad construction engineer, he was a middle-aged family man at the outbreak of the war. Soft of voice, calm of temperment, religious and averse to the use of liquor, he became the epitome of the Scotch Presbyterian warrior -- an officer so concerned for the welfare of his men that he came to be known as 'Mother' McAllister, yet so dedicated to the winning of the war that he was fearless in leading his men. He was twice wounded and three times promoted for heroism on the battlefield; his regiment distinguished itself at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; his brigade was the first to pierce the Confederate line as Spotsylvania's 'Bloody Angle' and saved an entire wing of the army at the Boydton Plank Road and again at Hatcher's Run"--Dust jacket.
Contents: Off to war and Bull Run -- Outposts at Alexandria -- The winter ends at Yorktown -- Peninsular defeat and promotion -- From the Potomac to the Rappahannock -- Camp Fitzhugh Farm, 1862-1863 -- Chancellorsville and Gettysburg -- "The races campaign" -- Brandy Station hibernation -- Bloody route to Petersburg -- The siege begins -- Lines of endeavor -- Unbuilding a railroad -- The path to peace.