Stand firm and fire low

Stand Firm and Fire Low chronicles the experiences of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers during the American Civil War. Edward Ephraim Cross, who served as the regiment's colonel, authored these accounts based on his wartime journals and correspondence. The work provides a detailed, firsthand perspective on the tactical maneuvers and daily hardships faced by the soldiers, particularly within the Army of the Potomac, from the regiment's formation in 1861 until the battle of Gettysburg.

The 2002 edition published by the University of New Hampshire Press serves as a scholarly preservation of Cross's original observations. By reissuing these writings, the press aimed to provide historians and Civil War enthusiasts with an authentic primary source that captures the distinct voice and leadership style of Cross. The volume is recognized for its historical accuracy and its contribution to regional military history, detailing the regiment's reputation as one of the most effective fighting units in the Union Army.