Originally published by UNC Press in 1989,
Fighting for the
Confederacy is one of the richest personal accounts in all of
the vast literature on the Civil War. Alexander was involved in
nearly all of the great battles of the East, from First Manassas
through Appomattox, and his duties brought him into frequent
contact with most of the high command of the Army of Northern
Virginia, including Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and James
Longstreet. No other Civil War veteran of his stature matched
Alexander's ability to discuss operations in penetrating detail--
this is especially true of his description of Gettysburg. His
narrative is also remarkable for its utterly candid appraisals of
leaders on both sides.