The Hardest Lot of Men

“In The Hardest Lot of Men, Joseph C. Fitzharris vividly recounts the dramatic story of the Third Minnesota Infantry in very human terms. By describing the regiment’s trials and triumphs through the eyes of its men, he gives us an unusually revealing glimpse of Civil War soldiering.”—Daniel Sutherland, author of American Civil War Guerrillas: Changing the Rules of Warfare and A Savage Conflict: The Decisive Role of Guerrillas in the American Civil War
 

“A comprehensive chronicle of the Third Minnesota's Civil War, Joseph Fitzharris's The Hardest Lot of Men also offers readers keen insights into how early-war surrender could have lasting negative effects on individual psyches and derail the vitally important development of unit cohesion."—Civil War Books and Authors

“The Hardest Lot of Men is a deeply researched and detailed account of the lives of the 19th-century men who made up this regiment…Readers of Minnesota Civil War history will find this book rich in detail, thorough in its description of the daily lives of Civil War soldiers, fulfilling in its depiction of a regiment that didn’t quite achieve glory, and a valuable addition to the state’s military history.”—Star Tribune
 

“The Hardest Lot of Men is clearly a labor of love and would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any student of Minnesota’s Civil War history.” - Minnesota History

“Based on his thorough research, Fitzharris paints a vivid story of regimental stamina and resilience in the face of betrayal, Native warfare, disease-ridden locations, Confederate guerillas, and continuous redeployments. Fitzharris successfully corrects historical “injustices” and effectively brings the inspiring service of the Third Minnesota to light.”— The Journal of Southern History
 

“In The Hardest Lot of Men: The Third Minnesota Infantry in the Civil War, Joseph C. Fitzharris describes, through immense detail, the local history and story of the Third Minnesota Infantry during and after the Civil War. This work analyzes the chronological story, presents individual perspectives of the soldiers, and compares the primary source documents detailing the unit’s regimental history…Fitzharris provides a robust list of primary and secondary sources used in creating this work. The comprehensive and balanced interpretations noted within the work show the credibility of the author.”—H-Net Reviews