A Duryee Zouave by Thomas P. Southwick. New Introduction by Brian C. Pohanka. 141pp., 25 photos, corrected index, biographical sketches.

A Duryee Zouave

by Thomas P. Southwick

The early life of the Author was spent in the city of his birth, New York. When only twelve years of age, both parents having passed away, leaving a large family of children, of whom he was one of the youngest, and being thrown upon his own resources, he became a newsboy and made his home with an older sister. Having to make his living at this early age he had no opportunity to secure an education, but ambitious he, by extensive reading and with determination acquired one himself.

The following narrative was prepared by him while serving with the Army of the Potomac, during the Civil War. During the latter days of his life, he was engaged in copying the record from the original diary, which was becoming faded and and dim, but ere he he could finish the task, the bugle call summoned him home and he laid down his pen, leaving the remainder to be completed by his children.

The original diary and the copy of Shakespeare which he carried through the entire two years of his service, are still in the possession of his family. The former is becoming obliterated with age and in order to preserve the record for his descendants is the purpose of this printed volume.

The Author makes no mention in his memoirs of a part he took in the campfire entertainments, but his ability to quote passage after rades who often invited him to render some selection, thus helping to enliven the dull monotony of camp life.

Several imposing monuments have been erected to the Fifth Regiment, New York Volunteers. Beside the one at Bull Run, of which there is a descriptive note, following the chapter on the second battle there, another fine shaft has been placed in the cemetery on Maryeís Heights, Fredericksburg, and another at Gettysburg. On each one is conspicuously displayed the corps badge, the Maltese Cross.