Author Description

You will be hard-pressed to find a memoir of the American Civil War that is richer in wonderful anecdotes about Grant, Meade, Sheridan, Sherman, and a host of other prominent leaders of the war. Harvard graduate Theodore Lyman was a wealthy man from birth but in 1863, he joined the staff of General Gordon Meade in the service of the Union. It is incredibly fortunate for history that he did because he became the chronicler of the Army of the Potomac. Few men could have brought the intelligence, keen observation, wit, and engaging narrative to the task of recording what he saw around him. This collection of letters were written to his wife, Mimi and so provides a very personal, unique look at the war. You'll see a side of Meade, Grant, Sheridan, Sherman, and others that you've never seen before. "General Meade is in excellent spirits and cracks a great many jokes and tells stories." Ted Lyman was in the thick of every important action from the time he joined Meade. Lyman was a friend and cousin (by marriage) of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, portrayed in the film, Glory. In one letter he writes, "I saw Sherman, Grant, Meade, and Sheridan, all together. A thing to speak of in after years!" He also met and describes General George Custer among others.Lyman shook hands with Lee at his surrender and inquired after Lee's son, with whom Lyman had attended Harvard. After the war, Lyman continued his education, worked with famed scientist, Louis Agassiz, and became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.