'Minor War History' Summary

'Minor War History' presents a deeply personal account of the American Civil War through the eyes of Martin Alonzo Haynes, a soldier in the Second New Hampshire Regiment. The book is a collection of letters written by Haynes to the woman he would eventually marry, offering intimate details about his life as a soldier. Readers are privy to his experiences in battle, the challenges of camp life, his anxieties and hopes, and his growing love for the woman back home. While not a comprehensive military history, Haynes' letters offer a humanizing perspective on the war, capturing the emotional toll, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the longing for home. The book provides a window into the personal side of a conflict often depicted through grand narratives, offering a relatable and touching glimpse into the human experience of war.