Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-18
unmisnn,, HistorY Of Che War.

rbi careful elaborate and well-wrtten History hAS
been coming out in the Southern Literary Messenger
for more than year. 1t is no hurried performance
one on which the plins-takng author seems Wins "
stake his reputation It has many merits, not the lea'
of which are its cearness its fairness, and tire aoi'!
with which the whole movement of the war is carreu
forward Nothing is left out As the story progresses
i, increases in Interest," descriptions become more
graphic and analyses of important political measures
become more searching and profound The author warns
With his subject
The account given in the last number OF the AsSse
g,r of the disastrous affair at Rich Mountain, is the only
connected and eligible narrative of Gen. GarnetI
brief ana unhappy campaign which We have seen. Inc
hardships endured and the beroism displayed oy 0pr
men are wildly portrayed, and the bOmbaStc mendaciy
of Mcclellan is exposed in glaring colors
In the next instament of the History, the advance
sheets of which We have been permitted to see the au
thor ezpends his best powers in discussion Of the first
great battle of Manassas The scene of the battle the
disposition of the Confederate forces, the advance oil
the Yankees, tbe preliminary combat on Bull Run' IN
which LOngsreots old Brigade the lst, 18th and l7Ih
Virginia Regments) figured consPicuousy are mar
rlted The fight between Ayres battery aud Kemper s.
and the famous artillery duel which covered the Wash
iugton Artillery of New Orleans with such renown are
described. Then account OF old Scouts WISH
to Cen,reSle and his return to WashingtOn-ihe pre-
partitions for battle-the great day Of july 2st-tfe
disposition Of the Yankee forces-the war council OF
the Confe derate ocers-their plan of attack, etc. The
movement of the enemy to Sudley Ford is related and
a view of the battle field given. Grey-haired Edmund
Ruifn figures in the scene. Hunters Division crosses
at Sudleys, "Shanes' Evans pushes FORWARD to meet
him, and desperate conflict, against overwhelming
odds, ensues Bee Barlow the 4th Alabama, Heiutzel-
mans Division, Inbodens Battery the New York ZOu-
aves Carriers and Hoges cavalry appear on the theatre
of strife. The RACES with fury; the Sou herners
are forced back the 7th and Sth Georgia to the
rescue; Schenck il repused in his attempt to cross
at Balls Ford; Sherman and Reyes cross-the scene
shifts to the plateau Of the Henry and Robinson's
houses reinforcements come to Gen. Bee; Jackson's
brigade appears, and a new line Of battle is formed.
Tue condition of the Conederates grows CRITICAL and
Be-ureglrd addresses them and leads them into the
battle which RACES with increased fury. The GOODNESS
of Jackson the death of Gen Bee the fight around the
Henry house. the death of Cos Barton and Fisher the sp
pearance of Cash aud Kershaw of Earlys brigade
all told graphically. Thea follows the assault the
Yankee rght-the retreat, the panic, President Davis
in the field the pursuit. the horrible SCARE at Cub Creek
bridge the wild terror of the Yankee the events Of
the rOut, Wilson's feast spoiled the flight of civilians,
the FIRST droppings of the in Lucoln's Capital,
scenes in Alexandra and Washington, and summing
up of the results of the battle.
Instances of Yankee atrOcty, Mc'Clellan's call to
Washington the Reorganization Of the Yankee army,
the question of an advance by the COnfederates, and
the reascn military and political why they did not
advance, close by far the most interesting chapter
wheh has yet appeared As the author has just reach
ed the period of active hOstties and Manassas No.
was but skirmish to many battles which followed,
we shall look forward the coming insaments of Mr..
HoEisous history with lively interest.