 Civil War Experience of
an
Officer and his Family
“Subdued
by the Sword”
by
James M. Greiner
on
OFF THE PAGE
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Originally
broadcast
December 28, at
1 & 7pm on WSKG Radio
If you should hear that I am killed or wounded you must
not believe it until you hear from some reliable source.
And if it should be my lot to fall, mourn not for me but
take care of my girl and bring her up as she should be brought
up. Educate her well by all means and she will be a comfort
to you.
---
letter from John to Harriet Kidder, 27 November 1862
During the Civil
War of 1861-65 the United States of America was torn
apart and put back together. Millions participated in a
conflict whose ramifications are still felt and which remains
a subject of tremendous historical interest. (The Ken
Burns series on PBS turned us all into Civil War buffs).
But while the effects of war decimated much of the South,
many in the North tried to continue with a normal life.
Union forces were ultimately victorious, but at a human
and social cost. The experience of one officer, the unit
he commanded and the family and community he left behind
tell us much about the personal events within a great national
drama.
“Subdued
by the Sword” by James
Greiner is the story of John Swain Kidder, a wagon-maker
from Laurens, NY who epitomized the citizen-soldier of
the Civil War era. In August 1862 he was appointed captain
of Company I of the 121st New
York Volunteers and left behind his wife Harriet, a
young daughter and a successful business to lead soldiers
from central New York through some of the fiercest action – and
some of the most boring and uncomfortable delays – of
the conflict.
The 121st saw action at Gettysburg,
Spotsylvania, the Battle of the Wilderness and in the climactic
battles around Petersburg. Captain Kidder was shot in the
face, leaving him deaf in one ear, and after convalescence
in a military hospital and on home leave he was assigned “light
duty” at the notorious prisoner-of-war camp at Elmira.
He later resumed active duty with the 121st and
he and his unit enjoyed a hero’s reception on their
return to New York.
But the military
history is only a framework for “Subdued
by the Sword”. This is a personal story of a man far
from home who tried to keep in touch and provided us with
an excellent account of the Civil War. It might seem from “Subdued
by the Sword” that when John Kidder wasn’t fighting
he was writing. Some ninety letters penned by John Kidder
to his wife have been preserved by his descendants, especially
great-great-grandson Jerry
Reed of Whitesboro, NY. They give a close view of the
soldier’s life (ninety percent of Union soldiers didn’t
know how to cook) and of activity back in New York (Kidder’s
wagon business was falling on hard times). During his time
guarding prisoners at Elmira, Kidder developed a lucrative
business selling craft items made by the men in captivity.
“Subdued by the Sword” is a well-researched
book about all the “Onesters” of the 121st New
York Volunteers. Author James Greiner joins Bill
Jaker on OFF THE PAGE to discuss Civil War history and
the life of John S. Kidder. To join in the program call during
the 1:00 o’clock hour to 1-888/359-9754, or post a
message here.
Listen to the program
now
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