Pain, destruction and suffering could not conquer the infallible Civil War hero Oscar Jackson. Civil War Life: Left for Dead is his story. He lived through injuries that would have overcome most men. A natural leader, Jackson abandoned his studies of law to recruit his own company of Ohio soldiers, who then served with the Ohio Brigade.
During the battle of Corinth, Jackson was struck in the face with a musket ball. Thought to be mortally wounded, the captain was left for dead. The invincible Jackson not only survived — but led his company until the end of the war, despite the lingering effects of the bullet still lodged in his head. Jackson thrived both on and off the battlefield, later becoming a U.S. Congressman.
Michael Kraus, Narrator/Co-Writer: Michael Kraus is one of the world’s leading authorities on Civil War military history. Kraus has served the film industry as Military History Advisor for Miramax Films’ 2004 film Cold Mountain and Military Coordinator for New Line Cinema’s 1993 film Gettysburg. Kraus’ career includes working as a historian for several A&E television Civil War Journal episodes and as the Northern Commander of many Civil War 125th Anniversary reenactments.
Michael began reenacting in 1966. In 1970, he joined Sherman’s Bummers, the first ultra authentic reenactment unit in the country. In 1975, Kraus became a charter member of the “Irish Brigade”, which exists today as the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company I, with Kraus as its captain.
Kraus also has provided historical consulting for a variety of other films about the Civil War and has contributed to numerous books and publications about the war between the states, including The 100th Pennsylvania Roundhead Regiment 1861-1865; Echoes of Battle; The Atlanta Campaign; Advance the Colors; Voices of the Civil War; Fredericksburg; Seccessionville; Assault on Charleston; and What Death More Glorious as well as to the periodicals Military Images and America’s Civil War.
David M. Neville, Co-Writer: David Neville is an independent military historian and consultant whose area of expertise includes the Civil War, the Indian Wars and the Korean War. Neville serves as publisher of and a writer for the prestigious journal, Military Images. He has also contributed to a number of books, including Killed in Action and A Vast Sea of Misery, Those Honored Dead, Union Colonels and Waiting for Jacob. Neville is currently writing a history of the graduates of the United States Military Academy who served at the battle of Gettysburg.
Reviews
“The use of intriguing camera angles, period music and high quality sound effects and maps heighten the drama as seen through the eyes of dedicated soldiers who marched, fought and died under the union flag.” – Booklist“Based on Jackson’s journal, which was eventually published as The Colonel’s Diary 50 years after the war, this video personalizes the war for viewers as few programs can. Vintage photographs, clear maps and graphics and realistic live action combine to provide a powerful experience for those with an interest in this critical time in America’s history…. intriguing and sure-to-be-popular title.” – Library Journal
“Left for Dead tells an engaging story of the war through the eyes of one young man who, like so many others, was forever changed by it. Jackson’s is a compelling story, and his personal reflections provide a refreshing perspective on war and its aftermath.” – Brenda Wilt, Civil War Times Illustrated
“For all you civil war buffs this is a fine film. It’s roughly an hour program in the same vein as any A&E type civil war re-enactment. This film follows the civil war experience of Colonel Oscar Jackson as based on his diary. The graphic depictions at times gives a feel for what it must have been like to be in the war.” – customer review on Amazon.com
“Michael Kraus is at it again in this wonderful new piece based on the true story of The Colonel’s Diary. This production covers the Civil War life of Oscar Jackson and his involvement with the 63rd Ohio. The struggles and battles Jackson experiences are told through strong riveting reenactments. The attention to detail and bloody scenes place the viewer right on the battlefield while the story is backed by narration and pictures. It is an interesting and very informative documentary which certainly captures the gore, panic and horrors associated with combat in the Civil War. Great camera angles and different approaches to filming are certainly a bonus for the viewer in this production. This DVD is a must have for anyone following the Civil War especially those interested in learning about the western campaigns. Three Cheers for Kraus and Company, ‘Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!’” – Todd Newman, Cedarburg, Wisconsin (customer review on Amazon.com)
“As Paul Andrew Hutton stated, ‘If we seek today to know something more than strategy and tactics employed by the generals, to something more closely to the men who faced the volleys of minié balls and grapeshot, we must first attempt to overcome the distance that separates our modern sensibilities from the lives of the soldiers who marched, fought and died… To understand the Civil War, you must first attempt to understand the great armies that opposed one another. To understand those armies, you must try to understand those individuals who pledged their oath of allegiance to those great armies and their loyalties to the nation they envisioned. This documentary on Captain Oscar Jackson of the 63rd Ohio conveys just that. It takes one man, out of the 3 million who marched and fought, and makes the 3 million who marched and fought, one man. Oscar Jackson’s story needed to be told.” – Richard DeCarlo, Civil War reenactor.
Details
LENGTH: 1 x 50 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: Yes
ASPECT RATIO: 16 x 9 High Definition
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2009
RELEASE YEAR: 2010
SUPPLIER: Inecom Entertainment Company
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide
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