The educated and articulate Holt, 42 when he was commissioned in 1862, describes camp life, army politics and military medicine up to Oct. 1864. His unit's colonel, Emory Upton, one of the most famous combat commanders of the war, led the regiment in most of the major campaigns in the eastern theater of the war. Includes eight b & w photos.

Introduction: "We are almost worked to death" -- Not a learned profession: "Open-hearted frankness" -- Outpost medicine: "We had no bandages" -- The Hammond alliance: "Their wounds, as yet, undressed" -- Taking medical command: "I found it in a deplorable condition" -- Antietam: "I pray God may stop such infernal work" -- Fredericksburg: "A huge serpent of blue and steel" -- Chancellorsville: "What will the country say?" -- Gettysburg: "I turned away and cried" -- Validation: "Little more remained to be done" -- Wildcatter: "A good kind husband" -- Compassionate coroner: "I have done my duty faithfully" -- Enduring legacy: "War is a terrible thing at best" -- Epilogue: "Today I am used up."