An Eye for Glory: The Civil War Chronicles of a Citizen Soldier

By Karl A. Bacon

Description:

Michael Palmer is a good man, a family man. But honor and duty push him to leave his comfortable life and answer the call from Abraham Lincoln to fight for his country. This 'citizen soldier' learns quickly that war is more than the battle on the field. Long marches under extreme conditions, illness, and disillusionment challenge at every turn. Faith seems lost in a blur of smoke and blood ... and death. Michael's only desire is to kill as many Confederate soldiers as he can so he can go home. He coldly counts off the rebels that fall to his bullets. Until he is brought up short by a dying man holding up his Bible. It's in the heat of battle at Gettysburg and the solemn aftermath that Michael begins to understand the grave cost of the war upon his soul. Here the journey really begins as he searches for the man he was and the faith he once held so dearly. With the help of his beloved wife, Jesse Ann, he takes the final steps towards redemption and reconciliation. Using first-hand accounts of the 14th Connecticut Infantry, Karl Bacon has crafted a detailed, genuine and compelling novel on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Intensely personal and accurate to the times, culture, and tragedy of the Civil War, An Eye for Glory may change you in ways you could have never imagined as well.

Book Takeaway:

Michael Palmer's going off to war is much like the Apostle Peter's stepping out of the boat to walk on the stormy sea (Matthew 14:29). Just like Peter, Michael is overwhelmed. Michael sees only the storm of war and death he's immersed in instead of fixing his gaze upon his glorious Lord. And just like Peter, Michael is powerless to save himself.

Why the author wrote this book:

While returning from a business trip in the spring of 1998, I found myself in a used book store in the terminal of Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee. I browsed through the history section and discovered a copy of "Infantryman Pettit, The Civil War Letters of Corporal Frederick Pettit" in good condition. Corporal Pettit was a young Christian soldier from western Pennsylvania who served in the 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It is well known that brother sometimes fought against brother during the Civil War. More frequently, friend fought against friend. But as I read the letters Corporal Pettit sent to his family and friends, it struck me anew that there were many believers in both armies. It was a common occurrence for one Christian brother to fight another, each trying his best to kill the other, and each fully convinced of the righteousness of his cause. I thought there was a story to tell.