The Flying, Gray-Haired Yank or The Adventures of a Volunteer is a personal narrative of thrilling espreiences as an army courier, a volunteer Captain, a Prisoner of War, a fugitive from Southern dungeons, a guest among the contrabans and Unionist, and finally a skirmisher at the very front at Appomattox. Originally printed in 1888 by Hubbard Brothers Publication in Philadelphia, reprinted in 1992 by Gauley Mount Press.
Hard Cover, 424 pages.
Illustrations.

$30.00

The Author

   Michael Egan wrote The Flying Gray-Haired Yank long after he completed serving his adopted country, The United States, in the Civil War. Unfortunately, he died in 1888—the year his book was published and he did not see it in its completed form.

   He avoided the temptation of writing a history of the war, its great campaigns, and illustri­ous commanders by simply telling the story of what he saw as he participated in small, unimportant actions and great events which were vividly recorded by others in their books. This honest history of the soldier's war is refreshing to read as the rich detail of Egan's story unfolds.

   Egan began service as a civilian contractor to the military and carried dispatches through the guerrilla infested portion of central West Virginia. He covered the route from Clarksburg to Gauley Bridge and his story is filled with details about the families living along the road—many names which are familiar in the area today. He tells of generals, chases, the murder of a young Union soldier, and the execution of the killers.

   Following his courier duty, Egan entered into the service of the new state of West Virginia as an officer in the 15th West Virginia Volunteer Infan­try Regiment. He participated in campaigns, was captured, escaped from prison, was re-captured, and escaped a second time. His story includes details of evasion of Confederate patrols, help from slaves and Unionists, and his eventual return to safety within Union lines.

   He soon rejoined his regiment and was present with Grant's army at Lee's surrender where his troops attacked the last Confederate artillery position of the war.