Co. Aytch

The Classic Memoir of the Civil War by a Confederate Soldier

By: Sam R. Watkins

Narrated by: Pat Bottino

Early in May 1861, 21-year-old Sam R. Watkins of Columbia, Tennessee, joined the First Tennessee Regiment. He fought in all of its major battles, from Shiloh to Nashville. Twenty years later, with a "house full of young 'rebels' clustering around my knees and bumping about my elbows," he wrote the remarkable account of "Co. Aytch," its common foot soldiers, its commanders, its Yankee enemies, its victories and defeats, and its ultimate surrender on April 26, 1865.

Co. Aytch is the work of a natural storyteller who balances the horror of war with his irrepressible sense of humor and his sharp eye for the lighter side of battle. Among Civil War memoirs, it stands as a living testament to one man's enduring humanity, courage, and wisdom in the midst of death and destruction.

©2003 Sam R. Watkins (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Anyone who wishes to hear a Southern view of why they fought should hear Watkins....[T]his work is moving and always fascinating because it is a great text penned by a man who has seen the spectrum of human cruelty, horror, and kindness." ( AudioFile)

A very good first person account of the Civil War

Would you listen to Co. Aytch again? Why?

Yes, because it is the best book of its kind I have listened to.

What other book might you compare Co. Aytch to and why?

There are one other books to compare it to.

What does Pat Bottino bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He captured the emotion of the War both the good and the bad.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, the entire book was very moving.

Any additional comments?

This is the first Civil War account that have either read or listened to that told the how the foot solider felt about the Generals that commanded them. That in itself makes this a one of a kind book.

Long-time primary source on the war

An interesting mix of lost cause stories told by a former rebel, now reconstructed and loyal. First-person vignettes told in homely language. Why did it take me so long to read (listen to) Sam Watkins’ memoir?

Well-read throughout. Recommended. Thanks to Audible for making this volume available free of charge.

Best telling of soldiers experience

I have read Co. Aytch at least 25+ times over my many years. I have visited ole Sam’s grave and laid flowers to appreciate his well-told experiences during the war between the states.

Outstanding!

Very good first hand account of a brave man that endured much hardship. I highly recommend this great work.

Co. Aytch; Greatest Civil War Memoir

This is an impressive recollection of war time events by Sam R. Watkins. Some stories are sad, others are funny, and others are just enjoyable to hear. Makes me appreciate the events of the past more. . .

Enjoyable, but, the narrator...

The narrator does an okay job. He does read with emotion, but is too ... exacting in his enunciation, and reads somewhat ... dryly? Not sure how to phrase it. It comes across as someone carefully reading something, as opposed to listening to someone tell their story, which is a shame.

The stories are his experiences, and they are at times humorous, and sometimes chilling. One story in particular is very haunting. His language at times, especially in the closing, is so very beautiful and moving. It's absolute poetry.

I read it to find out what the average soldier experienced, and what he was fighting for. In the light of how on fire our country is, I thought it a timely read. Now, I want to find a similar read from the Union side. Looking at everything, I wonder if we are headed for some kind of calamity as before (read Lincoln's address to the Young Men's Lyceum -- it sounds very much like it was written today) and wonder if all that suffering and death was for nothing if we can't peacefully find our way forward.

All in all, perhaps a book better read than listened to and, yet, still an enjoyable listen. It's just not as enjoyable as it could have been.

good listen

not boring to listen to
good to listen to a southerns experience in the war

The Civil War According to a Regular Guy

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it's like listening to a guy you know tell a story. He talks about everyday stuff that you won't hear about in the history books. Like the time they had to destroy a big cache of food, and each took a slab of bacon and stuck it on their bayonet to carry with theme.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Co. Aytch?

Noting stood out, all good.

What three words best describe Pat Bottino’s performance?

Regular Nothing Special

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, just found it interesting.

Any additional comments?

Nope. Listen to it - pretty interesting.

God Bless Sam Watkins. an amazing book

any one who wants to research the civil war should take this as a core study.

Excellent civil war history as live by a Rebel infantryman who survived the entire Civil War

This civil war infantryman’s personal stories provide the reader an in-site to war not offered by traditional civil war historians.