With Grant at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg and an appreciation of General U. S. Grant

"With Grant at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg" by Wilbur F. Crummer is an early 20th-century historical record told from the perspective of a soldier in the 45th Illinois Volunteers during key Civil War battles. The story vividly recreates the author’s experiences and focuses on General Grant's military leadership, alongside a glimpse into the lives, challenges, and emotions of soldiers. The narrative opens with young soldiers Will and Jim at Cairo, Illinois, ready for action because they believe General Grant is planning an offensive, as depicted with detailed descriptions of the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. Crummer's account highlights the difficult conditions soldiers faced, highlights the strong bonds between them, and reveals the tough parts of war by balancing it between moments of light-heartedness amidst the need to survive.