Five Rode Off to War: One Returned Home

The author presents the authentic and tragic account of the Civil War experiences of two Covington brothers and their first cousins, three Eskridge brothers, who were all from rural Northumberland County, in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Allucius J. Eskridge and John H. Covington served with the Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry. Edwin Eskridge, Thomas W. Eskridge, and William H. Covington served with the Fortieth Virginia Infantry. Follow these brave men, who were of humble origins, through the bloody horrors of the war, from its beginning in Northern Virginia through the Seven Days' Battles, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Point Lookout POW Camp, and the Wilderness. Allucius Eskridge was the only survivor among the five men. Sadly, that was because he was severely wounded and went home. These men were typical of the thousands of soldiers from both sides who suffered through paralyzing fear on the battlefield. Their stories illustrate the horrific experiences of soldiers during the war. More significantly, this account illustrates the disastrous consequences felt by families on both sides due to the losses of sons, husbands, brothers, and fathers. In many instances, these men were very young and had not married and had children. Often, an entire generation was lost and the succession of a family name was not just diminished but terminated. Few people consider the devastating genetic consequences of a terrible war where neither side won.