Following the Greek cross

Tells the story of Thomas W. Hyde, a native of Maine, who rose rapidly through the Union ranks and eventually received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Antietam. It tells the story of an illustrious army unit and offers rare glimpses into the Northern perspective on the war and its significance in U.S. history. He served on the staffs of several prominent Union officers, including John Sedgwick and Horatio G. Wright, major generals who between them commanded the Sixth Corps in several important campaigns in the Virginia theater. Hyde's unit was also among those who followed General Lee's army into Pennsylvania and fought at Gettysburg. In his correspondence, Hyde writes engagingly about the war, his fellow soldiers, strategy and tactics, and daily life in the Union forces. He elaborates on their motivation for fighting, the strength of their camaraderie, and their unflagging determination to preserve the Union.