Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers: Four Years with the Iron Brigade

By: Rufus Dawes

Narrated by: Zachary Cowan

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Rufus R. Dawes (1838-1899) was just 23 years old when the Civil War broke out. He became a captain in the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, one of the regiments forming the "Iron Brigade" of the Union Army of the Potomac. First published in 1890, this work records his regiment’s routine and operational actions, including Second Bull Run, Gettysburg, and Petersburg. Dawes also recorded details about daily camp life and individual soldiers.

Museum Audiobooks strives to present audiobook versions of authentic, unabridged historical texts from prior eras which contain a variety of points of view. The texts do not represent the views or opinions of Museum Audiobooks, and in certain cases may contain perspectives or language that is objectionable to the modern listener.

Public Domain (P)2018 Museum Audiobooks

Outstanding first hand account.

Excellent from a true hero in many ways. The narrator put me there along with the Iron Brigade!

Excellent telling of the war

This is an excellent history is slant history taken from a regimental standpoint from the American Civil War.. The narrator does an overall very good job but mispronounces a number of names of Southern townsouthern towns along with a few other mispronounced words. Other than that very very good!

Direct descendant of Rufus Dawes

It's hard to express how thrilling it is to hear my g-great grandfather's words told in an audible form. We've read his journal, of course many times, but there is something wonderful about listening to his story this way, some things coming forward as if new, such as his humor in the early days. How lucky are we to have this available, our own family's story of that turbulent time. That being said, it is so unfortunate that the publisher didn't bother to double check the photo on the cover, that of Brigadier General Rufus King and not of the author, and our patriarch, Lt. Colonel Rufus R. Dawes.

Just get it.

Don’t know how I was able to overlook this for so long; it’s one of the best Civil War memoirs I’ve read.

Great Account!

Great story for anyone looking to learn more about the Iron Brigade, especially day to day life. Just one note, the photo on the tab is actually Rufus King, not Rufus Dawes, not sure if that was intentional?

Very Rare perspective of junior officer who lived through 4 yrs

Dawes provides a very unique perspective of a young wide-eyed junior officer who enlists in a key regiment of what will be known as one of the most aggressive units in the entire union army—The Iron Brigade. They were proud of their reputation of being the point of the spear—1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac. They fought and held their ground like their confederate colleagues, earning their reputation for which they paid the price. Through his daily words you hear his evolution into a rugged commander who fought side by side his friends and truly lived to see it all.

A great story.

Riveting at times with what the soldiers went through. Not confined to just battles but boredom of camp life, hardships on the March and in battle as well as the horrendous wounds. The narrator speaks like a ho hum story teller who has seen to much. Highly recommended.

best understanding of the course of the Civil War

Many times I have been confused and befuddled trying to follow the course of events of the Civil War. This account, first person, made the course of the conflict understandable in a way I have never had before. I highly recommend it.

Excellent account of life in the Army of The Potomac

This is Rufus Dawes’ primary account of his experience. I’ve read many diaries and regimental histories and this is a good one. It is amazing Dawes survived the war. Highly recommend it if you’re interested Civil War and Iron Brigade history written in a personal format.

Good Variation

This was a personal account based on letters the author wrote or received. The work presents a unique perspective of one person's view as opposed to an overall general approach. I found that it brought small details to light, from battle deaths to frustrations experienced. It is even more interesting, having relatives who fought with Wisconsin units.