New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

vols. bNO. vol Ji PIP J,u hulip"ti w - W.
The title OF this book is fragrant missioner. Ii
hoe no professions to the character Of history, and
will afford nothing but disappointment TO the limo.
cent reader, who expects to find connected record
of facts in its pages. Apart from tho loose end dis'
ointed manner in which its materials have been
thrown together, tie author has INDUCED his private
iancies and Ereudices TO such degree as TO make 1t
utterly worthless as TN impartial, historical MARIA
tive Doubtless the time has not yet arrived for a
wholly dispassionate and uncolored view Of the
events of the rebellion; but work so deeply uuged
with the spirit of partsansbp MS the present can sus-
tain no claim to be placed among standard authori-
tics on the subject No reader Of the so-called his-
torieal works of the author would compliment him
biz love of minute accuracy; but the habtual i'll
exacness of statement in this volume must occasion
surprise even TO persons most familiar with nis for
mer productions
To give few instances ont Of much larger nun.
Der, tho important engagement at Phiiipp, june 3,
1861, is said to have taken place two days before its
real date, while, in the course Of "a few lines, the
Union forces represented starting for the bat
lie the day after the time given for its occurrence.
still more hopeless confusion Of dates is ound in
the account Of the battle Of Rich Mountain which
was fought soon after the commencement Of the war
10 Western Virginia July II, 1861. According TO
Mr. Headley, who arranges the events of his nara
tive in separate chapters after the order Of months
this battle occurred during the month Of june but
on what particular day it took place he gives his
readers no ueaus whatever Of determining. Fol-
lowing the succession Of events il might be Inferred
that it's date was toward the close Of the month Of
June, but on a subsequent page the possession Of
Laurel Hill BY General Morris is stated 10 be the
l2th.
In The account Of the death Of Col. Ellsworth at
Alexandria, lie is said 10 have been accompanied by
lieut. nant, the chaplain, and four privaies 70 the
top Of the house where he was shot; but no men
ton is made Of another conspicuous person 10 the
scene. the volunteer aid, "whose arm was resting
Oh POOR Ellsworth shoulder at tie moment Of biz
fall and whose copous narrative, afterwsrd exIen-
sivey published in the journals Of the day. furnishes
tho testimony Of an eyewitness Of the event ar ma
tcIias for history.
We will pursue these errors Of statement no fur
ther han the description Of the battle OF Port Royal,
in which facts and figures are quite eehpsed amid
the splendors Of Mr.. Headleye rhetoric. " The two
Islands, Hilton Head and Bay Point" Gays Dir. H.,
" Law nearly opposite each other and on theirextreme
points, two forts, Beauregard and Walker, guarded
the eutrance,-,he former mounting % shd the latter
guns somc Of them Of the largest ealiber." This
statement il precisely the of the truth II
was Fort Walker and not Fort BeauTegard which
mounted % guns; while the latter had - guns, to-
pether with separate battery Of guns ia the VIZ
cinity. The location Of the fonts il equally euone'
ous-B eauregaId being placed on Hilton Head, and
Walker on lay Point, exactly contrary TO the true
position On the next page, however, the forts are
made to change rlaces, and correctness secured at
tie expense Of consistency. No information ia given
with regard 10 the killed and wounded on either
side: nor is any sllusion made 10 the eminent ser
vices of Capt. Davis aud Capt Boniee, in plotting
the fleet. sf or all the aida 10 navigation had been
removed.
II will be perceived that no one in search Of an
authentic account Of the prominent events OF tho
rebellion will be rewarded for lis labor in consulting
this volume. AS book Of reference ii lacks The
essential qualities Of mnueuess aud precision. The
abundant authorizes on the subject have been care
lessy examined and the results are brought forward
10 q sloyenly narrative. The hashy sketches with
which II abounds may dazzle the eye for "a moments
but lhey funifh 10 salulary light aud are no more
entitled TO the name of history than leal-hghining
eau be called the tun.