Adams County man is the focus of a Civil War book

The century-old letters and journals of an Adams County native are the focus of a new Civil War book.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports the accounts of Lewis F. Roe provide a first-hand view of the day-to-day activities of Civil War soldiers and the dangers they faced in battle.

According to the newspaper, Roe was a farmer who served in the 7th U.S. Infantry and the 50th Illinois Volunteer Infantry between 1860 and 1865.

The book is titled “From Western Deserts to Carolina Swamps: A Civil War Soldier’s Journals and Letters Home.” It chronicles Roe’s participation in a march from Wyoming to New Mexico and the Battle of Valverde.

Roe’s diaries were brought to light by New Mexico-based archeologist John Wilson, who obtained the journals from one of Roe’s descendants.