Inside the Ryan Papers: George Ryan

In a new book, "Inside the Ryan Papers: George Ryan", never-before published old family letters detail George Ryan's life at West Point, his adventures on the western front, and finally his dispatch into the Civil War, including his commission as Colonel of the 140th New York Volunteer Infantry.
But the letters tell more than just George's story. They detail the daily struggles of George's family, especially his father, John Ryan, who managed to secure a solid foothold for his family in the American Midwest. Appointed deputy postmaster of Decatur in 1860, John saved hundreds of family letters, including correspondence from George from The Battle  of the Wilderness and Saunders' Field.
George's final letter was addressed to a younger brother, and mailed on May 7, 1864. It begins: "I have again to be thankful for having passed through a severe engagement without injury. I telegraphed Father to this effect yesterday."
In all, the Ryan Family Papers number an extraordinary 1200 documents. The entire collection resides at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
"Inside the Ryan Papers: George Ryan" was edited by Susan Betts, a descendant of the Ryan family, and can be purchased at www.dementibooks.com ($12, free shipping).