A story of the great war between the States-told from the ranks This is an engaging recollection of the American Civil War by one of its most humble participants an ordinary soldier-later an NCO of the Union Army-in the 61st Regiment of the Illinois Infantry. His story, written in old age is surprisingly fresh, vital and full of concise detail. Here, clearly, is a man who relished recalling his time in the army and had many interesting stories of camp, campaign and battlefield action to tell. Leander Stillwell was a westerner and member of the Union army of the West, so within these pages the reader will find accounts of the Battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Iuka, Salem Cemetery, Vicksburg, Devall's Bluff, Little Rock, the Clarendon Expedition, Murfreesboro and the fight at Wilkinson's Pike.