Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-03-21
NEW BOOK.

History Of the Lnpasion and Capture of Waslqng-
ton, &C. !, By JOHN s. WILLIAMS, Brigade Major, Gcr
War of 1912.
This is work that has long been wanting to supply
information upon most important and certainly the
notifying, incident of the of 1872 We have
now at last perfectly reliable history Of all the facts
in relation to the capture Of Washington gathered with
unwearied palms, by prominent and intelligent actor in
the military he describes, from official and au-
thentic sources by which the reader win be enabled to
judge for himself of the degree of merit of applause
censure that may be justly due to the several response
Bile parties-the President and his Cabinet, the COM
handing General under them, and the military forces
employed upon that occasion.
The preface informs that the compiler of the work
not the writer of it. The writer to whom the materials
of the history first entrusted of the most
complished and elegant scholars of the day but dying
after the completion of the first chapters the
task of finishing the work devoved upon his son. who
has, think shown himself in its performance, to be
worthy of his father The style of both parts
of the work is remarkable for its fearless mparaty,
as well for its force and perspicuity may seem,
however to be unnecessary to add word of commenda
ton what has been said of the history by two of the
best writers and competent literary judges in the
country The Hon. JOHN P. KENNEDY, speaking of it in
letter to friend, says: 1t is remarkably we'll WIZ
ten and presents such clear and ineligible naFr
of the incidents of that short but unfortunate campaign
leave the most vivid impression upon the mind Of
the reader. Apart from its merit literary perforn
ance, it may claim the higher commentator Of being 81
important and contribution to the history Of
the country, which will become not less memorable for
the significance of the events describes than for the
lesson it teaches Independent of its value in this point
of vew will be found attractive from the excellence
of its style that few readers who take it xp viii be
break off the perusal until they have gone entirely
through The book has also had the good fortune to
me- the decided appreciation of WASHINGTON IRy-
ING ling deeply interesting and throwing much
psi 80 incurred by the y feat of our arms AMI
the 10 IN the capital felt witt deep sensibity and
modification by the whole people, well in the North
the South stain upon the honor Of the country,
divided opinion to the necessity JUS
tce of the war declared part and deep re-
proach upon the Government for its almost utter neglect
to make timely preparation against danger which
foreseen by every but themselves Subsequent vic
tories and lapse of time have merely mtgated erased
those feelings in the nation But those disasters hap
ply attended with good effects They served to
arouse the Government and to unite the people in de-
termned and energetic prosecution of the war; which in
few months after resulted in what under the cir$um
stances of general peace intervening in Europe hug
be considered honorable peace both to ourselves
then enemy-now, it is hoped perpetual friend.