Opium Eating: An Autobiographical Sketch by an Habituate

"Opium Eating: An Autobiographical Sketch by an Habituate" by Anonymous is a gripping autobiographical account from the late 1800s that recounts a soldier's devastating experiences during the American Civil War and his subsequent battle with opium addiction. Beginning with the author's eager enlistment as a young army drummer and participation in major battles, the story quickly takes a dark turn as he is captured and endures the horrific conditions of prisons like Richmond and Andersonville, where starvation and despair are rampant. The narrative shows how the author's initial fight for survival evolves into a longer, more insidious struggle with opium, highlighting the interconnected themes of war, suffering, and the desperate search for escape through drugs.