I purchased first editions of most of the autobiographies of the men, being especially fascinated with Generals Longstreet and Chamberlain. Chamberlain's writing is brilliant, and his description of what it was like to see his men marching in the final parade, his unit enlarged by the ghosts of those he lost, is incredible.
My great grandfather's connection was to General Hancock. GGF was one of the special judge advocates at the Lincoln assassination trial and ran the investigation for Stanton, later putting the record together for the Library of Congress. Stanton probably wanted him because he'd just gotten the death penalty for the southern conspirators in Indianapolis. Like many of the Civil War soldiers, GGF spent a lot of his life defending his friends, and General Hancock was getting a lot of flak because he wouldn't turn over Mary Surratt to avoid her execution. GGF's speeches always involved a large section defending Hancock, as well as Judge Holt.
http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/burnett/lincoln5.htm#hancock
Another tidbit on Hancock, from his autobiography, was that he was hit while on horseback, and operations were unsuccessful. He was reconciling himself to death when the Surgeon General came to say goodbye and, in the doorway, asked if he could try one more time. Hancock agreed. The doctor put him in a chair on top of a table so that he could operate at the same angle that the bullet went in. He was successful and Hancock lived.
For your land - for your homes - for your sweethearts - for your wives - for Virginia! Forward.
This always sends a chill up my spine and then as the charge my eyes fill with tears.
Wasn’t a pretty sight. Many a good boy lost a young and promising life. Some wore blue and some wore gray.