by George W. Contant

George Contant's, Path of Blood... is truly an exceptional piece of Civil War research and writing. The author, a native of western New York, has done a superb job in presenting to Civil War readers one of the best "new" regimental histories in recent years.

Recruited primarily from the scenic "Finger Lakes" region of the Empire State, the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry served with much distinction in the Eastern Theater of war from 1861 until the survivors mustered out in May, 1863. From their brief initiation on the battlefield at First Bull Run, the regiment moved south with General George B. McClellan for his thrust up the Peninsula toward Richmond in the Spring of 1862.

Here was where the 33rd experienced it's real "baptism" of fire. It was at the Battle of Williamsburg in May, 1862 that the regiment first showed its prowess in "tight" places by wrenching a potential defeat back to victory with an heroic charge under the eyes of the officer most credited with the success, General Winfield S. Hancock.

Though the victory would be credited in the press and history books mainly to Hancock, the author correctly shows where the real seeds of success were sown--in the ranks of the fighting 33rd New Yorkers. And, from here, it was only one month later that the men of the 33rd were called upon once again for heroics to stem off an attempt by Robert E. Lee's pursuing Confederates at Golding's Farm.

Moving north with McClellan later that year to stop Lee's invasion of Maryland, the 33rd faced the foe again at Crampton's Gap and, later, in the cauldron of battle near the Dunker Church at bloody Antietam. And before the year was out, these now veteran New Yorkers again saw action at the equally bloody Battle of Fredericksburg.

With 1863, came a new Federal general, Joseph Hooker, and a new campaign--Chancellorsville. Here, the 33rd served in the Federal Sixth Corps and was part of the that force's successful attack on Lee's rear at Marye's Heights near Fredericksburg.

However, when Lee's victorious army pushed Hooker back and turned east to confront the Sixth Corps, the 33rd and comrades suddenly found themselves isolated and surrounded in the country near Salem Church. Now, was the 33rd New York's supreme moment of sacrifice and it met it's fate well.

As part of the rearguard, the unit fought tenaciously to hold-off the closing Rebels while the Sixth Corps tried to extricate itself from the trap. Though the Corps was successful, the 33rd lost so heavily in it's efforts that it effectively ceased to exist as a viable unit for the field. Thus ended the career of this hard-fighting regiment from the "Finger Lakes."

Though several modest, early attempts to chronicle this unit's history were made, Mr. Contant's new book surpasses all previous efforts by a long-shot. His research is deliciously thorough, showing long hours and years of searching for sources hidden in libraries, papers, and homes of western New York and beyond.

Using over 300 letters, diaries, newspaper and manuscript accounts from the men and families of the 33rd, the author succeeds in blending a high degree of detail with an exciting and flowing prose. Loaded with photographs, well-drawn unit maps, and helpful appendices filled with extra information and rosters, it is a complete package.

Though classified as a "regimental" history, this book is more a history of the life of a group of battle-scarred veterans from New York. Using the soldiers' own words and experiences as much as possible to tell their much-needed tale, the author succeeds in providing riveting descriptions of battle action. Yet, also covered are the origins, lives, thoughts and fears of this acclaimed regiment in their journey from home to battlefield and back again.