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"Far, Far From Home": The Wartime Letters of Dick and Tally Simpson, Third South Carolina Volunteers
This is a selection of wartime letters of Dick and Tally Simpson of South Carolina from their service in the Civil War on the Confederate side - Tally was killed and Dick survived the war.
- GenresNonfiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 25, 2025
Book Review: Far, Far from Home – The Wartime Letters of Dick and Tally Simpson
Far, Far from Home is a moving and deeply personal look into the lives of two brothers from South Carolina—Dick and Tally Simpson—who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. What makes this collection so unique is that these letters were not written years later with the benefit of hindsight; they were written in real time, penned from camps and battlefields by soldiers living through uncertainty, hardship, and fear.
The letters reveal the day-to-day struggles of camp life: inadequate food, harsh weather, illness, and the constant discomforts that came with military service. Through Tally’s vivid descriptions, we see not only the suffering but the perseverance. One of the most memorable passages recounts the massive Confederate snowball fight in January 1863—an unexpected moment of joy and camaraderie in the middle of a brutal war.
Knowing Tally’s fate casts a long shadow over the entire book. He writes so often of wanting to return home, to be with his family, to put the war behind him. His words are filled with hope, faith, and dreams of the future. Yet we, unlike his family then, know what awaits him. When the narrative finally reaches the letters announcing his death at Chickamauga, it feels heartbreakingly real—even though history has already revealed the end.
One of the most touching and tragic aspects is Tally’s affection for a woman he never met, a budding love that remained forever unrealized. His longing for a normal life—a family, a future, the simple comfort of home—stands in painful contrast to the violence and loss surrounding him.
Far, Far from Home is not simply a historical document; it is a testament to humanity in wartime. It reminds us that behind every regiment and battle were young men with hopes, families, humor, and heartbreak. This book allows readers to see the Civil War not just through the lens of strategy and statistics, but through the eyes of those who lived—and died—far, far from home. 4.8/5.0 stars
Far, Far from Home is a moving and deeply personal look into the lives of two brothers from South Carolina—Dick and Tally Simpson—who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. What makes this collection so unique is that these letters were not written years later with the benefit of hindsight; they were written in real time, penned from camps and battlefields by soldiers living through uncertainty, hardship, and fear.
The letters reveal the day-to-day struggles of camp life: inadequate food, harsh weather, illness, and the constant discomforts that came with military service. Through Tally’s vivid descriptions, we see not only the suffering but the perseverance. One of the most memorable passages recounts the massive Confederate snowball fight in January 1863—an unexpected moment of joy and camaraderie in the middle of a brutal war.
Knowing Tally’s fate casts a long shadow over the entire book. He writes so often of wanting to return home, to be with his family, to put the war behind him. His words are filled with hope, faith, and dreams of the future. Yet we, unlike his family then, know what awaits him. When the narrative finally reaches the letters announcing his death at Chickamauga, it feels heartbreakingly real—even though history has already revealed the end.
One of the most touching and tragic aspects is Tally’s affection for a woman he never met, a budding love that remained forever unrealized. His longing for a normal life—a family, a future, the simple comfort of home—stands in painful contrast to the violence and loss surrounding him.
Far, Far from Home is not simply a historical document; it is a testament to humanity in wartime. It reminds us that behind every regiment and battle were young men with hopes, families, humor, and heartbreak. This book allows readers to see the Civil War not just through the lens of strategy and statistics, but through the eyes of those who lived—and died—far, far from home. 4.8/5.0 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
A unique insight into the the day-to-day of camp life during the Civil War as well as the thoughts and fears of the soldiers.
December 26, 2014
A tremendous addition to Civil War primary sources. A well annotated, gripping account of the war and it's impact on young men who fought.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews