"David Day was an ordinary soldier in an extraordinary war. His diary is a highly literate and personal story of his life with the Union army. Editor Pamela Cummings enriches this account with footnotes, a bibliography, and a special section explaining the people mentioned in this book. David takes readers from the idleness of waiting to the engagements with the enemy. As his company traveled into the South, readers will see the institution of slavery through his eyes. Although he found the Southern language difficult, he recorded a conversation he had with the enemy, who was a true Southern gentleman. Some of his comments may appear racist by today's standards, but his words contain no malice. David was described as a jovial and very popular man with many friends. It appears that he brought his sunny disposition to these diary accounts. While he did write about various battles, he also included humorous incidents, as well as everyday observations about the world around him. While most readers are familiar with the 'big' battles of this war, David's diary is a startling reminder that all battles were big to those who fought in them. It also seems that normal, everyday events were just as important and necessary for survival as the ability to fight well. Soldiers lived in another world, and the contact with familiar and friendly things was a balm to the soul and mind. David enlisted for three years, partly because of his love of adventure. When he returned home, he was forever changed in body and mind. These words, which he penned during his time as a soldier, will highlight some of those changes, as well as speak to today's readers about one man's contribution to his country. Readers have the benefit of David Day's own words, as well as the insightful editorial comments by Pamela Cummings. The diary accounts are further explained and enhanced by historical facts. This hindsight of history causes the reader to better understand the bigger picture of the war, while at the same time, observing how it affected one soldier's life. David Day's diary is 'his' story, and part of our nation's history. Read it for reference, enrichment or as a reminder of a war fought by ordinary people just like us."—Joyce Handzo, In The Library Reviews

...Foster's brigade starts up the railroad for town, leaving Reno's and Parke's brigades to take care of the field. Cautiously we moved along, thinking, perhaps, the enemy may have formed a second line and are awaiting our approach. It soon became apparent, however, that they were making the distance between them and us as long as possible. We then hurried along, arriving at the river where the railroad bridge was burned which crossed into town. The view from here was an appalling one. The railroad bridge, a fine structure upwards of 1500 feet in length, was in ruins and the town was on fire in several places. Dense clouds of smoke of inky blackness settled like a pall over the town, while every few moments the lurid flames, with their forked tongues, would leap above the clouds, and the bellowing of the gunboats on the river, throwing their large shells over the town after the retreating enemy, conspired to make a most hideous scene.

It was near the middle of the afternoon when the old ferry boat Curlew (which a few weeks before I had wished sunk) arrived. On board this, Major McCafferty, with a mixed company of about 100 men, with the colors, crossed the river and landed on the wharf at the foot of Craven street. These were the first troops and colors in the city. After landing we marched up Craven nearly to Pollock street, when we halted. The major did not appear to have any business on hand or instructions to make any, so we waited for further orders or for the regiment to join us.