Overview
What a Boy Saw in the Army
FROM THOSE WHOSE OPINIONS CARRY WEIGHT.
SEE WHAT THEY SAY OK IT:
The book is very interesting as a story, with its vivid pictures and incidents of military life during our great war. I like the book, and feel sure that boys will not only enjoy it, but will receive instruction from the many true insights it gives of the every day life of the young men in the ranks during the war. My son, Harry, a young man, liked the work, and was enthusiastic in reading it.
Major General United States Army, Governor’s Island, N. Y.
The Christian Advocate, New York.
Dr. Young is the Editor of the Central Christian Advocate, published in St. Louis. He entered the army , and was barely out of his teens when the struggle ended in 1865. For years he has lectured with great popularity upon his scenes, experiences, and surroundings in the war. He tells us about the boy’s early life, and where he was when he heard the blast of the bugle and beat of the drum, and thrillingly describes the circumstances which led him to write to his mother asking permission to enlist; speaks of her refusal at first and the final consent; gives with interesting detail an account of his enlisting, the first review, the great men he saw, his enthusiasm, and then the experiences of a brief campaign which took all the shine off. Some persons think that accounts of battles are not suitable for boys. We think that accounts of patriotic struggles make patriots. It is a stirring narrative, and will please every boy that has it, and can do none any harm. It is really more fascinating than the sensational tales which lead so many astray; and it is all true, and a part of the history of our country.
The Inter Ocean, Chicago.
This is a story of high adventure and sight seeing by a boy who was in the war for the Union in the stormy days of ’61 to ’65. There was scarcely a brigade in the old Union army that did not have its “ Boy of the Regiment.” The spirit of patriotism did not stop with the fathers in 1861, but was seen in the boys, and in numerous instances they smuggled themselves into the commands and stayed there. The writer of this knew many such, who were too young and too small and weak at first to carry a gun, who, before the war closed had made a record as good soldiers second to none. The story here told is of a boy barely out of his teens, who went through the war, and here presents pictures that will warm every patriotic man and woman that reads. Mr. Frank Beard, the artist, has caught the very spirit of the camp fire and the march and the battle, and aptly emphasizes the interesting text. It is one of those books that must be read to be appreciated. Army scenes and sketches cannot be listed up in a review and do them any justice. Let the boys and girls read. They are in no danger of being too patriotic. The man or woman that does not love his country is a poor lover indeed. The book is in handsome ornamented covers and large clear print.
I have read What a Boy Saw in the Army and am iree to say it surpasses any book of the kind I ever read. Its portrayal of scenes and events is graphic. Jack Sanderson is truly a hero; Sergeant McBride an insuppressible wit. No person reading it can fail to have his love for God and native land immeasurably increased. It ought to have a large sale. It will be a positive pleasure for me to place it in the hands of my people, and as I have opportunity will endeavor to secure subscriptions for it. Pardon this uncalled for endorsement of What a Boy Saw in the Army. I cannot
