Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-22
puke,. History Of Morgan,s Cavalry.
From the Lexington Observer and Reporter.

From the Lexington Observer and Reporter
The condition of the South during the
war was such that most of the newspa-
pers were suspended, and those published
gave very meagre and unsatisfactory ac-
counts Of the military movements. The
blockade was effective enough to prevent
full information from being sent abroad
from the South. The men of the. South
were all either in the army or actively
occupied in matters connected with the
war - contending against vast odds,
making history, they were careless Of
their individual reputation and glory.
The skeleton official report is the only
Southern account Of any battle with
very few exceptions), and of many Of the
most bloody and brilliant battles not
even these were written If the contest
was won, the story could be told; if lost,
the survivors could gather enough to
form enduring, memorials of the yalor,
patience and devotion of the heroic
dead-this was the almost universal feel
ing in the Confederate army. 1t is sur.
prising how few memoranda have been
preserved by the actors in these terrible
scenes.
Upon the other hand the press of the
North grew and hourished and was en-
richcd it was the harvest time for news
papers, and immense fortunes were made
by journalists and publishers. Every
battle, skirmish, and march were de-
scribed by score of "War Correspon-
dents" Biographical sketches of every
general went the rounds of papers. His
tories Of the war, poetry, novels, ora
tions, etc, were issued from every city.
Gen. Mcclellan published large volume
devoted to his campaigns. Buell. made
an elaborate defense of his. But during
these bloody years the South was almost
voiceless; or her only answer was the
sound of gun aud cannon, the fierce rat
tie of battle as the Gordon of Federal
bayonets closed around her; with now
and then stern and resolute appeal
from her undaunted President, or the sad
wall Of burnt and desolate city.
The part the South actually played in
the war is almost matter OF darkness;
around her leaders has gathered veil
of mystery and romance almost impene-
trable Stuart is spoken Of as we speak
of Cnur de Lion or Saladin. The lights
and shadows which have been cast upon
them and their deeds is too strong; they
were not demigods, they were not devils.
We have no doubt that the reading pub
lie of America know more of the battle
of Sadowa, and have clearer idea of
the character and capacity of Benedek,
than they do of Shiloh or have of Albert
Sidney Johnston.
Since the surrenders a few Southern
writers have published their accounts of
various occurrences. But for reasons
too apparent to need explanation, but
few of the participants, especially the
more distinguished among them, have
published line, or more than a few and
generally anonymous sketches We have
seen two Lives of Stonewall Jackson,
Harry Gilmore's -Four Years IN the
Mrs. Preston's exquisite
" Beecbenbrook," and notices of : Pol
lard's History" and one or two other
books now in press. We are glad that
these contributions are made - glad to
see that men upon both sides are publish
ing freely. The bitterness Of to-day will
wear away, aud cur children will eagerly
read the narratives of our deeds with the
same spirit that the English read of Will
liam Wallace, Edward of York, and the
Henrys, Cromwell, and Prince Rupert
and William of Orange.
Around no person gathered more OF
romance, and no Southern name was
more familiar than Morgan His escape
to the South in 1861 his deeds near
Bowling Green and around Nashville !;
his surprise at Lebanon; his Kentucky
raid in July, 1862; his Gallatin fight;
his part ofthe Kentucky campaign under
Kirby Smith; his Hartsville capture;
Christmas raid Of 1862; Ohio expedi-
tion, capture and impri comment; his
miraculous escape and G-tthusiastic re-
ception in the South; his subsequent
career and tragic death, will be story
Of surprising interest as long as our Ian
ruage is spoken among men, and 1t is
due TO the truth of history that it be well
and truihfully told.
The most trusted and skillful of Nor
ran's snbordinaies was Basil W. Duke,
who rose from First Lieutenant to Briga-
der General-beiug brigade comman-
der at twenty-five, and upon Morgans
death he became his successor. vi all
men, therefore he is the most ut to mar
rate the achievements Of the command. !
Fitted by education, culture and brains; J
BY his knowledge Of military matters,
md perfect acquaintance with the sub !
ect; free from bitterness and invective, |
be will produce book eminently inter |
sting and reliable. We have read sew
sral OF the chapters already written. We 1
an vouch for their truth, and confess
our admiration for the simple and ele-
sant style in which they are written.
From contributions thus made, from