Draw Sabers! by David Ekardt

"Draw Sabers! A Cavalryman's Story of the Civil War", is a historical novel of a young man and his friends in the 5th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry in the Civil War. Although written as a novel, it follows the life of these young men based on military records of the main character, the unit roster, unit history and several resource books about the 5th Ohio, including some firsthand accounts. The training that they went through which normally would take two years, was condensed into six months due to the need of manpower as the war was not going well for the Union at that time. Once they were trained, they were not fully armed for an entire year. When they finally received enough Colt Pistols, Burnside Carbines and enough sabers for all the men, they became a force to be reckoned with. You will learn of the hardships, and good times they had. Many endured a few months of being prisoners at Cahaba prison before being exchanged. They eventually were assigned to Kilpatrick's command under Sherman, battling around Atlanta, through Georgia to the sea, then up through South and North Carolina, until the war ended. Many times they endured lack of rations and feed for their horses while they foraged for sustenance on their march to the sea. Once the war ended in April of 1865, they did not get mustered out until October thirtieth, 1865, as they were kept there as occupation troops. This story will give you an insight to the hardships of a cavalryman during the Civil War as well as some of the good times that they had. So, Draw Sabers and enjoy a good story