End of an Era

by John Sergeant Wise

This memoir constitutes one of the best first-person narratives of the Civil War experience. It is written with power, candour, objectivity and elegance. The story that John Sergeant Wise recounts is a colourful, almost novelistic account of a young Confederate soldier's life and views. END OF AN ERA is a valuable archive of sociological and anthropological information about a bygone era. Wise affectionately recounts the cultural and economic diversity of his social landscape. He describes many of the small towns, villages, and territories of early Virginia, recalling the demographic, economic, religious, and political aspects that made them notable. In the book's detailed prose, the various strands that made up the fabric of antebellum Southern culture are captured beautifully. He also describes the privations and horrors of war, and the failings of Southern leaders, with unflinching honesty. He does not glorify the Southern army or its government, nor does he try to justify his occasionally ungentlemanly conduct and speech. The full range of his emotions is exhibited in this memoir, reactions he had to the complex changes that occurred within his own circle, as well as in larger Southern society.

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1899

About the author

American author and leader in Virginia. Confederate Army Soldier.

Reviews

[Valentin Chirosca]

PREFACE THIS book needs this much of an apology. It is to a great extent the autobiography of an insignificant person. If it were that alone, it would have no excuse for publication, and would possess little interest for those outside the immediate home circle. But it is not an autobiography alone. It introduces views of Southern life and feelings and civilization, prior to and during the war, which possess an unflagging interest for the American people; and it tells the true story of several striking events which preceded our civil strife, and many episodes of the great war. Besides these, it gives accurate descriptions not heretofore published of the appearance and actions and sayings of many distinguished participants on the Confederate side. When I first concluded to print the book, I made an honest effort to construct it in the third person. It was a lamentable failure, and made it appear even more egotistical than in its present form. Having returned to the narrative in the first person singular, I found myself a participant in several scenes in which I was not actually present. How to eliminate these, and at the same time preserve the continuity of the narrative, was a serious problem. I solved it at last by the consent of my only living brother that he would stand for me in several episodes having told me all I know.1 I will not mar the narrative by pointing out the places in which my brother is myself. This confession redeems the book from being classed either as an autobiography or a romance; and whenever anybody shall say to me, "Why, you were not there?" I will answer, like the Israelite gentleman, "Yes, I know. Dot vas mine brudder." The reader gets the facts as they were, and that is all he ought to expect. I dedicate it to my old Confederate comrades, the bravest, simplest, most unselfish, and affectionate friends I ever had. J. S. W.

[Sarah Bierle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and easy-to-read, autobiographical reminiscence of a boy's life in pre-war and Civil War Virginia. Good details on the Battle of New Market.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of living in those times especially considering it really hasn't been that long.It's well worth any history buff's time.