by Robert Crewdson
From the publisher:
You will never understand the Civil War until your understand its emotion. Love and War dramatically presents the real inner conflicts between love and duty. This wonderful collection of poignant letters provides a fascinating glimpse into the heart and mind of a private soldier in the Army of Northern Virginia. Madly in love with a much younger woman, he married her early in the war, and went AWOL three times in order to be with her. He survived Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, but died at the Battle of Chester Station in May 1864. Cover commentary by leading historians: James McPherson, James "Bud" Robertson, Jr. and Holt Merchant.