The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-30 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Battle-fields of the South from Bull Run to
Fredericksburg. With Sketches of Confederate
Commanders, and Gossip of the Camps. By an
English Combatant (Lieut. of Artillery on the
field). With Two Maps. Two Vols. smith and
Elder.

Beginning with the very first threatenings of the
disruption of the United States, the author of these
volumes, himself an eye-witness of the scenes
which he describes, has given a very comprehensive
ant animated account of the American war, as
regarded, of course, from the Confederate point of
view. As an evidence at once of his lively style
and decided sentiments, we may cite his very
graphic portrait of the Yankee, whom he describes
as "a votatile, imaginative, superficial, theatrically
inclined individual, possessing uncommon self-
confidence, very self-willed, arrogant, and boastful.
His self-conceit is boundless ; any one who disputes
his ideas is a fool l" At the first threatening of
nostilities this eye-witness describes the unanimous
enthusiasm of the Confederates as something mar-
velous. There was no lack of volunteers for arms.
All were anxious to go forth and fight the Yankees,
"not that the Northerners were deemed worthy of
that honour," but there was a strong desire " to
get to close quarters with the enemy, and
settle the question without further delay."
From morning till night the surrounding woods re-
echoed with the report of firearms. " Our men,"
says the author, " did not really need such practice,
for every youth was accustomed to the woods and
to hunting; each had killed his dozens of panthers,
fact nine-tenths of our company seemed
born to arms, and were never so happy as when
shooting." In another place he observes—" Such
patriotism as the women displayed is certainly be-
yond description—they seemed to give all heart
and soul to the cause." " The negroes, too, at the
plough, in the cotton-field, or beside their cabin-
doors, rushed out, hat in hand, mounted the fence,
and rolling their eyes in wonder and delight, would
shout success to us on our journey." Amid such
universal encouragement and acclamation, the gal-
lant army of the South set forth upon their march.
" But who are our generals," asked the author at
the outset of the campaign; " our men are as brave
as steel, but who are to lead them." This question
was shortly to receive a full and satisfactory reply.
The writer soon afterwards obtained his first
glimpse of General Beauregard :
Of Beauregard I knew little, but had heard'much. He
was continually moving about from place to place, his ap-
pearance and escort being so unostentatious that many met
and passed without knowing him. It was his custom to
walk in the garden of the cottage where his head-quarters
were established after meals, smoking; and it was there I
first saw him. He is a small man, with a sallow com-
plexion, a heavy black moustache, and closely cut
hair. With the left hind in his trousers pocket, a
cigar in his mouth, a buttoned-up coat, and
small cap, he is tho exact type of a French engineer, and
could not an+ -there be mistaken for a civilian. He is
jaunty in his gdt, dashing in his manner, and evidently
takes delight in the circumstances of war. It must be
confessed his modesty is equal to his merit—he is not im-
perious or bearing, bears great respect for his brother offi-
cers of the old service, and is never seen to such advantage
as when standing on an earthwork, and, giving orders, or
conversing with animated gesture.
Hostilities now began in earnest. Here is the first
commencement