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At Custer’s Side: The Civil War Writings of James Harvey Kidd.

Edited by Eric J. Wittenberg.

Illustrated, maps, index, endnotes, 140 pp., 2001. The Kent State University Press, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001, $25 plus shipping.

This book is primarily a companion volume to editor Eric Wittenberg’s earlier compilation of the Civil War let-ters of James H. Kidd. It represents a collection of Kidd’s postwar writings, speeches and reminiscences. These pa-pers were originally planned as a supplement to the editor’s Kidd letters but were excluded in the final production of the previous work. At Custer’s Side, however, can be read independently of the former volume.

James Kidd spent his wartime services in the 6th Michigan Cavalry, as part of George Armstrong Custer’s Michi-gan Cavalry Brigade, eventually rising to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers. Late in the war, he commanded the famed brigade himself. After the war, Kidd pursued a career in the newspaper business; thus his writ-ings obviously reflect a journalist’s style.

Make no mistake, Kidd was an ardent Custer sycophant who sought every opportunity to glorify the military ad-ventures of his hero. The reminiscences selected by Wittenberg could not fail to promote Kidd’s lionizing of the "Boy General."

Kidd’s essays may be read as separate pieces because, when written or delivered, they were not intended to flow as a series. Some will be familiar to Civil War cavalry researchers like Kidd’s address at the Gettysburg monument dedi-cation in 1889, his MOLLUS paper on the Michigan Cavalry Brigade’s exploits in the Wilderness, and the New York Times entries relating to the cavalry fights in the Gettysburg Campaign.

Presented also are lesser-known writings such as Kidd’s "Historical Sketch of General Custer," a worthwhile as-sessment written shortly after the general’s demise at the Little Big Horn. However, his Victorian-style ramblings in an 1885 memorial address offer little insight for researchers or buffs, its only value being to demonstrate the editor’s knowledge of American and world historical figures who are identified for the reader in the endnotes.

One error was found in the endnotes, although this reviewer admittedly did not read every endnote. Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick is identified by the editor as a member of West Point Class of 1856 (pg. 106) when, in fact, he graduated in the May 1861 class. This is a minor error, but considering the editor’s penchant for highly critical as-sessments of "Kill-Cavalry," it was amusing to find that he did not know a basic fact about Kidd’s division com-mander.

At Custer’s Side has a superbly written Foreword by historian Brian Pohanka. Pohanka’s fluid prose is a pleasure to read. This little volume also includes 11 excellent theater and battlefield maps that aid the reader with Kidd’s text. For the most part, the cavalryman’s journalist style makes for an easy read.

While Wittenberg’s previous work on Kidd’s Civil War letters is certainly a tremendous value to researchers and students, this follow-up volume is more likely to be savored by Custerphiles who can never get enough of their hero.

Bruce M. Venter

Bruce M. Venter holds a B.A. in history from Manhattan College and doctorate in ed-ucational administration from the State University of New York at Albany. He lives in Alexandria, Va.

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