The Civil War Experiences of W. H. Kavanaugh (1913)

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Written for his children

Foreword by Howard V. Kavanaugh, nd

This is the story of a young farm boy that leaves home to fight as a foot soldier in the Civil War, during a time when honor and devotion to duty were considered the only way of life.

This is more than an account of the war; it is a human interest story about life, death, sorrow and the occasional joys that a private in the Southern Army experienced during that "unjust and unholy war".

These writings of W. H. Kavanaugh were first published in 1913 in Versailles, Missouri in a newspaper appropriately titled the Versailles Leader. The papers have remained in our family for these many years and were recently typed in manuscript form. Note that in several places where the copy was lost in the folds and could not be deciphered it was recorded as a dashed line. It is the desire that the restoration of these papers may bring a certain sense of history and enjoyment to those that may read them.

Both of the author's great grandsons served in the United Stated Armed Forces, also as enlisted men. Therefore, these events as recorded here are held somewhat dear to them.

The Civil War Experiences of W. H. Kavanaugh, Versailles Leader, 1913