Yeoman's in the Fork Blog

"It was the bloodiest battle of modern times in any war. It was the finishing stroke to the independence of the Southern Confederacy. I was there. I saw it." -Sam Watkins, 'Co. Aytch'

We have finally done it! After a book-hunt that seemed to be more arduous and difficult than putting a man on the moon, Yeoman's now owns a FIRST EDITION copy of 'Co. Aytch' by Sam Watkins. This classic confederate memoir and Tennessee rarity has been in our scope for over a year, but finding the right copy was not an easy task! 'Co. Aytch' was first printed by the Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House in 1882, a short 2 years after the Civil War. It appears that this first edition was followed by a second edition in the year 1900 (by the Times Printing Company) and not again until 1952 when McCowat-Mercer Press took the reigns. As a side note, the 1952 edition was the first issue of this famous title that was issued in a dust-jacket.

The first edition consisted of only 2000 and the copy soon available from Yeoman's is one of those few. Interestingly, the second edition has considerable value on the open market as the first is so scarce and the print run appears to have been 2000 copies as well. As with all books, scarcity matters when it comes to value! 'Co. Aytch - Maury Grays First Tennessee Regiment. Or, A Side Show of the Big Show' is one of those classic memoirs that tells a great story from the view of the common soldier involved in the conflict. As with other wars, the American Civil War seems to have had a tremendous amount of information written and printed post-war by the upper level commanders. The tales, exercises, daily activities and moments of pleasure of the vast majority of those involved in the war were never told. This book is one that seems to sum up with tremendous ease the emotion and experience of the common confederate soldier. This is all compounded with the fact that Watkins served in nearly every battle that involved the Armies of Tennessee. 'Co. Aytch' is noted by many as the finest description of the Battle of Franklin and we are proud to have a copy back home!

Be sure to check out the scans of the binding and interior of one of the finest Civil War books ever written in my opinion. Anybody out there have something to say about 'Co. Aytch'??? Feel free to send me an email at mikecotter@yeomansinthefork.com - I would love to have a special page on our website devoted to this book in the future. Your comments, editorials, reviews and/or thoughts might make our permanent page of honor for Watkins and his AYTCH...

"The death-angel was there to gather its last harvest." - Sam Watkins, 'Co. Aytch'