Joseph T. Durkin

One of the best primary accounts of the Civil War by a Confederate. John Dooley was the youngest son of Irish immigrants to Richmond, Virginia, where his father prospered, and the family took a leading position among Richmond's sizeable Irish community. Early in 1862, John left his studies at Georgetown University to serve in the First Virginia Infantry Regiment, in which his father John and brother James also served. John's service took him to Second Manassas, South Mountain, Sharpsburg (Antietam), Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg; before that last battle, Dooley was elected a lieutenant. On the third day at Gettysburg, Dooley swept up the hill in Pickett's charge, where he was shot through both legs and lay all night on the field, to be made a POW the next day. Held until February 27, 1865, Dooley made his way back south to arrive home very near the Confederacy's final collapse. Dooley's account is valuable for the content of his service and because most of the material came from his diary, with some interpolations (which are indicated as such) that he made shortly after the war's end when his memory was still fresh. Dooley's health seems to have been permanently compromised by his wounds; he entered a Roman Catholic seminary after the war and died in 1873 several months before his ordination was to take place.

John Dooley, Confederate Soldier: His War Journal is a firsthand account of the Civil War written by John Dooley, a Confederate soldier who fought in the war. The book is a compilation of his journal entries, which detail his experiences and thoughts during his time in the army. Dooley's journal entries provide a unique perspective on the war, as he was a private soldier rather than an officer. He writes about the battles he fought in, the hardships he faced, and the camaraderie he shared with his fellow soldiers. The book also includes historical context and background information on the war, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the Civil War. Overall, John Dooley, Confederate Soldier: His War Journal is a fascinating and informative read that offers a personal glimpse into the life of a Confederate soldier during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

The book tells of Stephen R. Mallory's support of naval inventions, strategy, and ideas. It also sheds light on the the successes and failures of Jefferson Davis. Durkin gives a well-balanced biography of Mallory and his life in the Confederate navy.