The diarists and memorialists of the Civil War from both sides give copious information on their branches of service; infantry, foot artillery, cavalry, however, few who served in the horse artillery wrote of their experiences. Thankfully George Neese of the Confederate Horse Artillery left his diary entries to posterity affording the reader an intimate, honest look into this neglected arm.Neese enlisted in Chew's battery in 1861, and would fight in that unit until his capture in 1864. He and his comrades fought under Jackson in the famed Valley campaign at Kernstown and Cedar Mountain; under Stuart he was engaged heavily at the Battle of Brandy Station. Later in the war under Imboden he saw action at the retreat from Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spotslvania and the 'Crater'. His capture and imprisonment at the notorious Point Lookout prison are particularly poignant reminders of the brutality of war.Highly recommended.