History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of
Samuel Miller Quincy’s History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry: A Prisoner’s Diary is a firsthand account of the regiment’s service during the American Civil War. Quincy was a member of the regiment and was taken prisoner during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. He was held in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, and his diary provides a unique perspective on the war from the perspective of a prisoner. The book begins with Quincy’s enlistment in the regiment in 1861 and follows his journey through the war. He recounts his experiences in battle, his capture, and his time in prison. He also provides detailed descriptions of the conditions in the prison, the treatment of prisoners, and the daily life of the inmates. Quincy’s diary provides a vivid and personal account of the war and its effects on those who fought it.
By Samuel Miller Quincy · First published 1882 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography, Military History · 11,191 words
First lines
The committee's announcement, that on this evening there would be read by me a paper relating to the history of the regiment, I fear may have awakened false expectations. But it was suggested that a little personal history of my own experiences, from the moment when that terrific flank fire caused the regiment to leave me for dead on the field of Cedar Mountain to the moment when, three months later, I again came under the stars and stripes at Aiken's Landing, would interest former comrades for a short time to-night. It is safe to say, perhaps, that our regiment passed through every possible experience of the war. In all the various scenes of suffering and endurance, both physical and mental, which the war could offer, the Second Massachusetts was represented; and in that view, perhaps, the personal adventures of those who, while separated from the corps, always considered its membership the highest of honors, may be considered as forming part of the general history of the regiment itself.
What this Textopian page supports
History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry: a Prisoner's Diary is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Samuel Miller Quincy, dated 1882 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Samuel Miller Quincy
- Date: 1882 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Biography, Military History, Memoir
- Length: 11,191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry: a Prisoner's Diary by Samuel Miller Quincy
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The title of the book suggests that it is a historical account of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry, and the subtitle suggests that it is written in the form of a diary, which is a common writing style for historical fiction.
- Biography — The book is written in the form of a diary, which is a common writing style for biographies.
- Military History — The title of the book suggests that it is a historical account of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry, which is a form of military history.
- Memoir — The subtitle of the book suggests that it is written in the form of a diary, which is a common writing style for memoirs.
Tags
1833-1887 · 1861-1865 · 1864) · 1865 · 1887 · 2nd (1861-1864) · Army · Civil War · History · Massachusetts Infantry Regiment · Personal narratives · Prisoners and prisons