Marty Nino Bertera

A Soldier at Dawn Marty Nino Bertera

This intriguing narrative tells the story of not only a remarkable man but also a memorable soldier, Samuel De Golyer. His real-life adventures and triumphs emerge from the personal accounts from multiple soldiers who served alongside of him. In his story you will read one-hundred and fifty-five year old accounts of his fame that have never before been written about in detail. These astonishing specified accounts are not only apiece of our history, but are the first-hand recollections of camp life, combat and tactics from on and off of the battlefield.

This book is dedicated to exposing one of the civil wars greatest documented escapes of prisoners out of Richmond, Virginia. The adventurous Captain De Golyer was captured at the battle of First Battle Run, relates his and his adventures eight day journey to achieve freedom.

At the same time showing De Golyer's progression through the ranks, first becoming the Major of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, Court Martial, than ultimately his dismissal from the army. All these major events occurred within a six month time span of his imprisonment. The ex-major emerged up from the face of despair to glory. With a hasty last minute intervention from Michigan Governor Austin Blair, went from a man who had no future opportunities to becoming a highly respected and well known commander of the Eighth Michigan Artillery Battery. From this point forward he was to only reach the highest heights of his personal and professional achievements. He saw close action combat with guerrillas in Missouri, a battlefield pistol duel with General Stephen D, Lee to using his battery as an offensive tool at the battles of Raymond, Champion Hill and Vicksburg Mississippi.

Ed Bearss a Preeminent National Park Service historian lauded Captain De Golyer in his classic three volume set on the Vicksburg Campaign. Bearss deemed Captain De Golyer to be the "Greatest artillery officer in Grant's army."