I think something important to bring up when it comes to this book is the idea of Post Traumatic Stress and its effect on W.C. Minor. First, here are definitions of PTSD by the National Institute for Mental Health as well as the American Psychological Association.

Here are articles that address this idea of PTSD and the Civil War. While at the time they would not have recognized mental disorders in the way we do today, I think it’s worthwhile to explore this subject on how the perception of mental illness has changed or not changed from the 19th century until now.

New York Times – PTSD and the Civil War

Smithsonian Institute – Did Civil War Soldiers Have PTSD?

U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs – History of PTSD in Veterans: Civil War to DSM-V

History Welfare Network- Dying to Get Home: PTSD in the Civil War