All For the Union: The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes

Written by Robert Hunt Rhodes

Narrated by Norman Dietz

All For the Union is the astonishing and eloquent diary of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, the Union soldier featured in Ken Burns' highly acclaimed PBS television documentary The Civil War. Enlisting as a private in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, Rhodes fought in every major campaign waged by the Army of the Potomac, from Bull Run to Appomattox. Here, in his own powerfully moving words, Rhodes reveals why he was willing to die to preserve his beloved Union.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490677071

Reviews for All For the Union

[catsandcherrypie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting diary following a young man's experiences during the Civil War as he moves from a private to an officer. Gives personal experiences of the war and some of the politics of the time.

[joycepa_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hunt, born in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, enlisted as a 19 year old private in June, 1861. He served for four years in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, finishing the war as lieutenant colonel, commanding the regiment. The book is a collection of his diary and letters, combined into one easily readable volume. It's notable mainly for views of the every day soldier in the Civil War--on saving the Union, freeing the slaves, the secession, and religious expression (and its lack) in his regiment and among his friends in the Army.

The 2nd Rhode Island participated in or was present for every single major battle of the Army of the Potomac from 1st Bull Run to Appomatox Court House. While there are some excellent descriptions of individual engagements within larger battles, as might be expected, there are no lengthy descriptions of the major battles themselves.

The prose is literate and very straightforward; he is not a literary figure. But perhaps for that very reason, his diary and letters are fascinating because they are the record of the thoughts and feelings of the everyday soldier caught up in the horrendous carnage of the American Civil War.

Details of camp life, drill, parade, reviews make up the major part of the writings, offsetting the descriptions of fighting. camp life could be entertaining as well as boring; Rhodes gives an excellent view.

The book was made justifiably famous by the PBS Series, The Civil War.