The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-19
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

The CAMPAIGNS OF THE FIRST MAINE AND
FIRST DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CAVALRY BY
Samuel HI. Merrill, Chaplain. One volume Emo
10 Roye So 'AD ~
OF the many splendid regiments organized and sent
out by the various loyal States during the late war;
none has left behind it record more glorious, and
worthy to be imperishabe than the First Maine Cav
airy. Belonging to branch Of the service which
had somehow fallen greatly into dsrepute but little
was expected of it at the outset, and its earlier
achievements took the country by surprise. Then,
too it had constantly been said by the Southern peo
pie that they alone, in this country, possessed the
qualifications of daring dash and skiliul horseman-
ship which are requisite for the making of cavalry
soldier, and this assertion, like many other equally
boastful and empty OF THEIRS had been repeat
ed till northerners half belevedit. How utter
ly,wthout any foundation in fact such notion was
the splendid exploits of the First Maine have fully
shown.
The character of this regiment was peculiar in
some respects. Unlike all others that went from
Maine it was not raised in any one section of the
State, but its members were recruited from every
quarter, and from class of men, too, morally and
physically of superior order. During its existence
therefore, it constituted better representative of
the State at large than any other, and that its
organization is MORE the record of its many noble
and heroic deeds must have interest and value to
circle much more extended than the history of
binary regiment would have. Itisno triiing task to
gather up from their many scattered sources the
necessary facts for work Of this kind, and to
these fragmentary materials into connected narra-
tive. To do so requires amount OF patient labor
not appreciable by every reader This task the pres
ent writer has performed with iaithfulness and Skill
and has produced work which cannot fail to have
positive and permanent value. His style is simple
and unpretendng, making attempt at fine effects,
though there are not wanting in his book many stir
ring passages, andsome bits otvvid description which
will repay more than single perusal. Among the
more striking passages we may note the account Of
the battle Of Aldie, and OF the fight at Brandy Sta
ton the description of which will be found elsewhere
in our columns to-day.
The time is coming when each OF these separate
records Of the dongs Of particular organizations,
written by men personally familiar with the facts
they relate will be of nestimable value They consti-
tute in fact, many distinct and trustworthy chap
tiers of that great comprehensive history of the war
which is yet to be written. We can hardly have too
many of them, and we should be glad II every regi-
ment which has been in service could find some one
to collect the records of its heroic achievements and
present them to the world in form attractive and
interesting as chaplain Merrill has made this account
of the two regiments wi th which he was at different
times connected.
The mechanical execution of this volume is highly
creditable. 1t is clearly printed, handsomely bound
and illustrated with finely engraved steel portraits of
Brevet Maj. Gen. C. H. Smith, Of the lamented Col
Douty, and Of the gallant Cilley Brigadier General
by brevet. 1t can hardly fail to meet an extended
sale.
A THOUSAND YEAR. By Mrs. e. M. Bruce
One volume; PIP. 1853. Boston: Lee and Shepard.
beautiful little volume; 80 finely printed and
tastefuny bound that it is pleasure to the eyes to
read it. The story is of clergyman, who had been
induced by the comparatively large offer of 'thou-
sand year." to leave his pleasant field of country
labor for the cares of city parish and of the nnu
merable perplexides, embarrassments and trials
which were the result of this injudicious course.
Some Of the pictures here given of the treatment to
which long-suferng ministers and their families
subjected unfortunately true than pleasant
tits a book which may be read with advantage both
by pastors and people.
Bailey and Noyes have it.