No Place for Little Boys: Civil War Letters of a Union Soldier

The Civil War was no place for little boys. "No Place for Little Boys" is an uncommon war story, told through the letters of Peleg Bradford Jr., a Union Soldier from Carmel Maine. His regiment, The First Maine Heavy Artillery, fought valiantly in several battles, including the Seige of Petersburg. According to the book, "The First Maine Heavy Artillery," written by Horace Shaw and Charles J. House, from August 21, 1862 to April 9, 1865, 1,363 of the regiment's 2,200 men were either killed or otherwise battle marked.

"No Place for Little Boys" represents three non-historians' efforts to let Peleg's words live again more than 130 years after they were penned to his mother, father, brothers, sisters and girlfriend. Annotations include information about 62+ soldiers whom Peleg mentions in his letters. Though Soldier Peleg's war may not have differed appreciably from his comrades', Son -- Brother - - Friend Peleg's words spelled out his feelings that were spilled into his uncensored letters home. Redaers can also benefit from the 14 original pen and ink illustrations, which were appropriately placed to complement the letters.

"No Place for Little Boys" is a dichotomous story of love and war, yet love is the common thread that binds this correspondence. Peleg's own granson, Richard Bradford, is liberally quoted in "No Place for Little Boys." Though he was only a boy when his grandfather Peleg died, Richard recalled his "Gramp" well. His recollections filled in some missing pieces left by his grandfather's letters. Peleg's words published in "No Place for Little Boys" offer an almost surreal serenity amidst the battlefield's chaos as he narrates a personal account of his war through his uncensored letters.

To Order a Copy Today...

Goddess Order Form

The First Maine Heavy Artillery 1862-1865

The ediotors of "No Place for Little Boys" are deeply indebted to Captain Horace Shaw and Major Charles J. House whose book, "The First Maine Heavy Artillery" published in 1903 guided our journey through Peleg Bradford, Jr.'s letters. House accounted for all 2,200 soldiers who served in the First Maine Heavy Artillery, while Shaw wrote compelling testimony of what the Civil War was really like to the men who served. This volume has been out of print for many years, leaving students, historians and family members of the soldiers mentioned in the book without the benefit of detailed, real life chronicle of the First Maine Heavy Artillery's activities from 1862-1865. A few copies are available at public libraries and at the University of Maine, but those do not circulate. There is a new development in regard to The First Maine Heavy Artillery. Clarence Woodcok has republished it in electronic format and it is available for sale or wiewing on web at... http://www.cwoodcock.com/firstmaine

For more information, please contact methix50@yahoo.com

"No Place for little Boys" gives the reader a glimpse of everyday concerns and thoughts about the war through the eyes of Peleg Bradford Jr.... We are grateful for this new contribution to our knowledge of this most crucial time in our nations history.

Linda L. Sudlow, Civil War historian and researcher

"MacCrae and Bradford, in compiling this collection of letters, have given a view of the human side of war which often goes untold. The glory of the human spirit to confront and overcome whatever is set before it is told through the letters of this one man and of those all around him..."

-- Rhea Côté Robbins, 1997 Chapbook Award Winner