Marching Home: Union Veterans and Their Unending Civil War

"Marching Home" is a transformative exploration of Union veterans who, after achieving victory in the Civil War, struggled to find their place in a peacetime America. Historian Brian Matthew Jordan challenges conventional narratives by delving into the harsh realities faced by these soldiers—such as physical and emotional wounds, alcoholism, and the fight for meager pensions—against a backdrop of a nation eager to move on into the prosperity of the Gilded Age. Utilizing previously untapped archives, he sheds light on their personal stories, revealing the deep scars left by war and the enduring impact on the American psyche. This poignant work underscores the relevance of their experiences in today's world.