William Mervale Smith, surgeon of the 85th New York Volunteer Infantry, faithfully kept a diary of his Civil War experiences. Smith's introspective musings cover matters both professional and personal, from the horror of battle and the almost equally terrible politics of war to his deepest longings and questions about love and spirituality. - Jacket flap.

Introduction -- The gathering storm -- The peninsula -- An ignoble retreat -- Norfolk to New Bern -- The Battles of Kinston and Goldsboro -- Between battles -- The doctor is examined -- With muffled oars : the siege of Washington -- The final days -- The next thirty-nine years -- Commentary -- Appendixes. McClellan and cowardice -- Dr. Smith's examination papers -- Ships named in the diary -- Dr. Smith's descendants -- Federal misbehavior at Suffolk, Virginia -- Dr. Smith's report on the 85th New York.