Witness to Appomattox by Richard Wheeler is an unusual history in that it relies on contemporary accounts to reveal the minute details of the conflict. While no substitute for more standard histories, this book (and I assume others he has written such as [book:Witness to Gettysburg] and [book:Sword Over Richmond] does bring a very personal flavor to the account. We see the filth and suffering much more closely than we would otherwise. One touching scene records Lincoln entering Richmond, his escort vessels all running aground, his barge's tug included, and being forced to enlist rowers. They touch ground only to be besieged by blacks who had been slaves only 24 hours earlier. When being told who the man brought ashore was jubilation erupted. Lincoln's visit to General Pickett's wife was particularly poignant. They had been old friends of the Lincoln's; indeed, Lincoln had recommended Pickett's appointment to West Point. The human touch is important to history. ( )

This is an unusual history in that it relies on contemporary accounts to reveal the minute details of the conflict. While no substitute for more standard histories, this book (and I assume others he has written such as [book:Witness to Gettysburg] and [book:Sword Over Richmond] does bring a very personal flavor to the account. We see the filth and suffering much more closely than we would otherwise. One touching scene records Lincoln entering Richmond, his escort vessels all running aground, his barge's tug included, and being forced to enlist rowers. They touch ground only to be besieged by blacks who had been slaves only 24 hours earlier. When being told who the man brought ashore was jubilation erupted. Lincoln's visit to General Pickett's wife was particularly poignant. They had been old friends of the Lincoln's; indeed, Lincoln had recommended Pickett's appointment to West Point. The human touch is important to history.

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