Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-02
IndIana's own BOOK.


We have heretofore alluded to the work now in
press, from the pen Of the Rev. DAVID Srkvss-
SON. called "Indiana's Roll OF Honor" The
first volume is nearly completed and will soon be
issued. As the work progresses, its character
and scope is fully developed. To Indanians,
it will be invaluable. 1t not only gives the his
tory of every regiment raised in the State. from
its organization to the present time with its
marches, skirmshes and battles-but il traces
the campaigns in which regiments from this State
have participated, giving spirited sketches oil the
exciting scenes of the war, and truthful pictures
of the country over which our army has passed
We have read the proof sheets of several OF the
campaigns, and found them of unusual interest.
The style is beautiful. the descriptions graphic.
and there is every evidence throughout the pages
that the author has not sacrificed truth for mere
effect.
1t is not partisan work The aim is to show
in a condensed form what Indiana and Indianians
have done in the war. The record is one of
which the State may well be proud The truth
full history is all that is wanted, aud this
Mr.. Stevenson will give. He has spared neither
labor nor expense in gathering material for his
work. and be has arranged it and thrown it into
form with eminent ability. There are thousands
of facts and incidents grouped in the book that
cannot be obtained in any other work, and they
are related in a manner that cannot fail to delight
the reader.
Il will be remembered that Mr.. STEVENSON, as
State Librarian, was directed by the Legislature
10 prepare for publication list of the names and
services of all the soldiers from this State who
have died since the war commenced, with bio
graphical sketches of the most distinguished.
Carrying the spirit of this order, and in justice
to the living as well as the dead, Mr.. STEVENSON
determined to make the record, instead of mere
list of names, dates and events, complete his
tory of the part our State has taken in the war.
The campaigns ia the work are followed out,
from their opening to their close, and appended
to each are the histories of the Indiana regiments
engaged in them. Thus the three months cam
paign in Western Virginia closes with the separate
history of each OF the three months regiments;
the campaigns on the Potomac and the Peninsula
by the histories Of the regiments engaged there,
and so on to the close. Where regiments have
engaged in different campaigns. their histories
follow one or the other, but in a manner not to
make it tedious repetition of similar scenes.
OF the ability and commendable fairness shown
in the work we cannot speak too highly. The
aim of the author is to do justice to the soldiers,
satisfied that in doing so, honor will be reflected
upon the State. Those who hope for a partisan
bias in the work will be disappointed. 1t is a
military history and nothing more Some of the
pretended histories Of the are but little bet
ter than political essays. This one leaves the
partisans to truckle and trade at the hastings, and
follows the soldier in his glorious career through
the privations of tie camp and the perils of the
battle field. 1t is work that should be in the
possession of every family in the State, and we
have no doubt it will be, for however we may
differ as to the conduct of the war, we all have a
common interest that the record of the heroism
Of our State should be full and complete.