Like Grass before the Scythe

“The fate of Sergeant William Remmel, like thousands of men who wore blue and butternut, remains lost to the pages of history. Fortunately, his letters have survived, allowing him to speak across the tides of time.”
—Civil War History

“Like Grass before the Scythe is recommended to those who would like a deeper understanding of the thoughts and concerns of a rank-and-file Union soldier. Remmel's letters put a very real and human face on the life of the Civil War solider.”
—H-Net Reviews

“A strong set of letters. . . . Bender has done a remarkable job identifying the various people Remmel mentions in his letters. While this is hardly a social history of Remmel’s regiment, the reader does get a good feel of where the soldiers come from and what happened to them. Furthermore, the letters show much about family dynamics and the nature of life in the North during the Civil War.”— Reid Mitchell, author of Civil War Soldiers

“This is a highly valuable collection of letters, ably edited.”— Steven E. Woodworth, author of The Art of Command in the Civil War

“Remmel, unlike many soldier correspondents who generally confined themselves to statements about the weather and their health, proved to be a keen observer of events and quite capable of articulating his opinions concerning complex issues. Remmel offers the reader interesting insights into the life and times of an infantry soldier who "saw the elephant" with the Army of the Potomac's famous VI Corps. Anyone interested in looking at the Civil War from the bottom up should make their acquaintance with Sgt. William Remmel.”
—Blue and Gray Magazine